Faith is another word for trust. We have faith when we get on an airplane that the plane and pilot are safe for travel. We place our faith in God when we trust that he is there and will be true to his promises. The author of Hebrews defines faith this way:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is sometimes called blind faith. Blind faith is trust without any reason or evidence. Riding an airplane is not blind faith, because you know there are several good reasons to believe the plane will fly safely across the skies. For instance, you’ve seen other planes fly safely. You can study the statistics about safe flights across the country (which BTW are incredibly encouraging over the past two decades based on a WSJ article I read recently). So, faith in flying on a plane is not blind faith, because there are good reasons to believe.
Christian faith is like this; it’s not blind faith. We believe in God, and in Jesus Christ, based on strong evidence. What evidence? I’m glad you asked!
- The testimony of creation
- The testimony of Scripture
- The testimony of Jesus Christ
- The testimony of the people of God
Creation testifies that God is real. Go meditate on the beauty outside. Every color and scene shouts out that God designed such majesty. When we see creation, we see evidence of God’s glory and power.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
Scripture testifies that God is real. Throughout the Bible we read about God’s great works throughout history. He created everything, he revealed himself to prophets and a variety of people and places, he parted the Red Sea, he spoke from the mountain, and then he entered history as Jesus.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
Jesus Christ testifies through his life, death, and resurrection that God is real. Jesus is the clearest picture of God we could ever see. Jesus is literally God in human flesh. Moreover, Jesus life, death, and resurrection are historically recorded both in the Bible and by various ancient historians. The evidence surrounding his life and ministry unquestionably provide evidence to the glory and greatness of God.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed the heir of all things, through whom he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Hebrews 1:1-3a
Lastly, the people of God testify to the reality of God. Every believer past and present has a story of God. For example, I’ve personally experienced the presence and power of God. I’ve been changed through prayer and real-life experiences of God’s goodness. He’s convicted me, encouraged me, provided for me, and delivered me. I’m a walking testimony to God’s glory and goodness. Every believer is a witness.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
So, Christian faith is not a blind faith. Rather, our faith is strongly built upon evidence and good reasons. Based on these testimonies, we place our trust fully in God and obey him without reservation. He is real. He is good. He is worth it.
Gentry eddings II 