"God Who Authors and Finishes Faith"
Kate Foster
Recently on a long drive, my husband and I discussed how confidence in the things of God could even be possible. How is it possible to have confidence in Heaven when we have never seen it? How can we confidently serve a God we have never touched or audibly heard? How can we be confident that any of this is real?
I answered our questions with the response I knew from Sunday School.
“Faith.”
But to a sceptic’s mind like mine, answering such deep questions with such a simple answer felt like a cop out. How could such a simple answer be so difficult to put into action when life throws curve balls my way? Where does the faith to believe come from? Do I even know what faith truly is?
“Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen.” -Hebrews 11:1
Faith is a confident KNOWING that takes mere hope and gives it 2 feet to stand on. True faith is so firm, that it can actually be relied upon as evidence. Proof that there is more than what is in front of us. Proof of the eternal and invisible.
We see so many examples in the Bible of heroic faith. A confidence in God in the face of things that make no earthly sense. Men like Noah who spent a lifetime building the first boat because God said it would rain. Joshua who led his armies in a week-long march around Jericho because God promised that the city would be delivered into their hands. Gideon who broke lanterns and jars and screamed in the night because God said that's how He would deliver the enemy into his hand. The blind and the sick who shouted and crawled their way into God’s presence because they heard He could heal. Moses who stuck his staff out over the Red Sea with angry armies at his back because God said He would bring them to the Promised Land. Over and over we see men stepping out into uncharted territory, believing that God would keep His word. Faith of this caliber, could never be manufactured in the heart of men.
Where does a faith like that come from?
It could only come from God Himself, the Author.
“...Jesus the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, Meekness, temperance...” Galatians 5:22
Faith created by Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit’s indwelling, and a gift given by the words of God.
So where do we turn when we lack faith? When we doubt our eternal security or fear an unknown future? When we are faced with a hopeless feeling situation or maybe feel confronted with fears about the reality of God? Where do we turn when uncertainty leads to fear and anxiety rather than confidence and belief?
We look to the Source.
Hebrews says “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith.”
Set your eyes on Certainty instead of the waves. Train your mind to focus on Who God says He is. How can we practically incorporate those habits into our daily life? I have a few ideas!
Make lists of His names as you listen to sermons or songs in your favorite playlist!
Write down His attributes mentioned as you read in the Scriptures!
Put in your headphones and meditatively listen to a podcast by A Right Heart. Each episode is designed to familiarize your mind with the character and reality of God.
STUDY STUDY STUDY! The more familiar you become with Him, the more your faith will strengthen.
PRAY! Ask God to help your unbelief and increase your faith. (He is a good father who loves to lavish His children with good gifts! Matt. 7:7-11)
The Good Author who created faith to carry us through life, will give you what you lack. And when we finally reach Heaven, and all that is unknown becomes sight, He will Finish that faith with His presence. Completed and whole.
And my faith shall be my eyes,
Kate Foster,
ARH Staff Writer
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12