Faith is a living and unshakable confidence. A belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake. —Martin Luther
Why do I believe there is a God when so many others don’t? Why do I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God’s Word is true? How can I be unwaveringly confident that when I die I will be with Jesus and will spend eternity with Him? Why am I confident that God is good, in spite of all the suffering in the world? It all sounds so crazy, doesn’t it? The average person today might think so. But I believe these things, and that will never change—nothing can dissuade me. These ideas are firmly and forever a part of my belief system. But, why?
I ruminated on this subject a few weeks ago as my husband and I drove along the interstate towards home after a short trip. I asked my husband the question: “Why do you and I believe so firmly in God and know that the Bible is true?” (I like deep meaningful conversations . . . him—a doer rather than a thinker—not so much.) He, of course, gave his standard short answer, “I don’t know, we just do.” But I wanted to get to the bottom of it. Undeterred, I continued thinking out loud and attempted to get him to engage on the issue.
I was raised in a Christian home in the south by conservative, evangelical parents. I don’t even remember my first church experience because—I was only a few weeks old! I have always been in church. My parents took us every time the doors were open, as they say. We were involved in children’s and youth choirs, missions organizations, Sunday school, Bible studies and youth group. In the summer we went to youth camps and also participated in choir tours where we sang in churches all over the country.
Faith and church-life was at the heart of our family. I came to know Christ and was baptized at 8 years old. My dad was a deacon and Sunday school teacher, my mom sang in the choir and taught children’s Sunday school. Church was the place where we developed deep, life-long friendships. We heard the Word preached weekly, with authority and passion. I was a member of the same church from infancy through college. I loved my church.
I share my experience and spiritual history because I know that it has much to do with the solidity of my faith. You see, my parents intentionally passed their faith on to me. They told me about Jesus, they took me to church and they lived out their faith for me to see. For them, faith wasn’t just a part of their life—it was their life—as it should be for all Christians.
But I believe there is another more important reason why my faith is immoveable. You see, when my parents, so wisely, planted that seed of belief in me all those years ago, God took it and established it in my heart. He made sure it was watered by godly mentors and teachers, fed by the hearing of His Word, and matured through trials and disappointments. If it were left up to me, that seedling of faith would have long ago wilted under the hardships, setbacks and doubts of this world.
It is God who sustains my faith—daily, even moment-by-moment. He holds me in His protective hand—a progeny of faithful parents—and He will keep me, until He calls me home…and beyond. I believe strong faith is a gift of God and a blessing. I am grateful for it—and so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for me, taking the punishment for my sins that I might spend an eternity with Him!
Hmm . . . what deep theological question can I bring up to my sweet husband on our next trip? Maybe this time he will answer using more than six words. One can only hope.
“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.'” Matthew 16:15-17 (NKJV)
“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV)
Heart of the Matter 