Faith
http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/2527/1/Faith/Page1.html
Leslie J Griffin
By Leslie J Griffin
Published on 03/26/2008
Faith. It is a word known to characterize and fortify impossibilities.
Faith. It is a word known to characterize and fortify impossibilities. It is also a vehicle that gives strength and hope to the unknown.
For years, many have wondered what real faith is while theological scholars and preachers have dissected its many components. Some say faith is believing against all odds and others say it is a requirement that actually moves God to act on one’s behalf.
While I agree with both interpretations, I want to share something profound spoken by my mother. Quite simply she said, “Faith is belief beyond or without proof.” Something within me bears witness to those words. And to take my mother’s revelation a step further, faith is the audacity and courage to act when there’s no given script.
The KJV Bible, Hebrews Chapter 11, Verse 1 emphatically states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” I liken a lack of faith to being in a court of law. To have a successful case outcome, there must be substantial proof to substantiate either the plaintiff’s or defendant’s claim. Judges and jurists require evidence and proof that something happened or did not happen, while brilliant attorneys gather as much evidence as they can to give weight to their clients’ claims.
Jurists then make a decision based upon proof and judges apply the law when delivering a sentence.
Whether we are seasoned or novice believers, our faith needs to be activated in a way that is totally opposite from being in a court of law, that’s if we want to please God. From the court of law’s angle, faith equals intelligence and proof. From God’s angle, faith is fighting against intelligent thinking and hope. Sometimes we may believe God for things and situations that make absolutely no sense to a reasonable person.
When a medical doctor shows a patient tangible x-ray results revealing 4th-stage cancer invading 85 percent of their body, that constitutes an intelligent, positive, and factual outcome. It is intelligent thinking that one would not have much longer to live. But faith fights against intelligence and enters the radical world of belief and expectancy of something that is not there.
Thus with the prayer of faith, a second x-ray can yield negative results for cancer. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. This is possible because according to the reference scripture, faith is already the substance of what is being hoped for. Faith is proof. It is equally the evidence of the unseen and unknown.
As believers, we must recognize that we have each been equipped with a measure of faith. We must also believe we have the petitions that we desire when we are in line with God’s plans for our lives. Our faith is the burden of proof and it goes beyond a reasonable doubt. In fact, it is safe to say the formula for faith is this; canceled doubt with adding prayer and belief and multiplying positive speaking to produce the sum of manifestation.
Let’s remember to not allow impossibilities to characterize our lives, but rather allow faith to give us character.
Faith. It is a word known to characterize and fortify impossibilities. A vehicle that gives strength and hope to the unknown
Faith. It is a word known to characterize and fortify impossibilities. It is also a vehicle that gives strength and hope to the unknown.
For years, many have wondered what real faith is while theological scholars and preachers have dissected its many components. Some say faith is believing against all odds and others say it is a requirement that actually moves God to act on one’s behalf.
While I agree with both interpretations, I want to share something profound spoken by my mother. Quite simply she said, “Faith is belief beyond or without proof.” Something within me bears witness to those words. And to take my mother’s revelation a step further, faith is the audacity and courage to act when there’s no given script.
The KJV Bible, Hebrews Chapter 11, Verse 1 emphatically states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” I liken a lack of faith to being in a court of law. To have a successful case outcome, there must be substantial proof to substantiate either the plaintiff’s or defendant’s claim. Judges and jurists require evidence and proof that something happened or did not happen, while brilliant attorneys gather as much evidence as they can to give weight to their clients’ claims.
Jurists then make a decision based upon proof and judges apply the law when delivering a sentence.
Whether we are seasoned or novice believers, our faith needs to be activated in a way that is totally opposite from being in a court of law, that’s if we want to please God. From the court of law’s angle, faith equals intelligence and proof. From God’s angle, faith is fighting against intelligent thinking and hope. Sometimes we may believe God for things and situations that make absolutely no sense to a reasonable person.
When a medical doctor shows a patient tangible x-ray results revealing 4th-stage cancer invading 85 percent of their body, that constitutes an intelligent, positive, and factual outcome. It is intelligent thinking that one would not have much longer to live. But faith fights against intelligence and enters the radical world of belief and expectancy of something that is not there.
Thus with the prayer of faith, a second x-ray can yield negative results for cancer. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. This is possible because according to the reference scripture, faith is already the substance of what is being hoped for. Faith is proof. It is equally the evidence of the unseen and unknown.
As believers, we must recognize that we have each been equipped with a measure of faith. We must also believe we have the petitions that we desire when we are in line with God’s plans for our lives. Our faith is the burden of proof and it goes beyond a reasonable doubt. In fact, it is safe to say the formula for faith is this; canceled doubt with adding prayer and belief and multiplying positive speaking to produce the sum of manifestation.
Let’s remember to not allow impossibilities to characterize our lives, but rather allow faith to give us character.