Faith: Part I

It's hard to have faith.

I say this knowing that each of us has been given a certain measure of faith. What I can tell you, is that from the foundation of faith with which you have been given, it is a skill you can continue to build on. New measures of faith can be acquired. Think of faith like the cornerstone of a church building. There is but a single block, but the builders will continue from the foundation to the final piece of the bell tower to finish building the church. With great faith, comes increasing faith, and with increasing faith are great rewards.

Look at Mark 4:30-32. Jesus is talking and it reads as recorded by Mark, "Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade."

A small seed, when nurtured, can become the largest plant in the garden. A redwood tree in the Pacific Northwest was also once a seed. A waterfall was once a single drop of water. Faith can be acquired, and become the rock from which you stand on; peering over the vast and beautiful landscape from above.

The foundation of our faith is hard to measure. Paul mentions the faith of Abraham from the book of Genesis in Romans 4:18-21. "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead -- since he was about a hundred years old -- and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised."

So I ask, "What is the difference between faith and hope?"

Merriam-Webster defines "hope" as "to want something to happen or to be true."

"Faith" is defined as "a firm belief in something for which there is no proof."

Hope is filled with desire and anticipation. Faith is about conviction!

Within faith, there can and should also be anticipation. We can have a desire in the forthcoming outcome based on faith. The difference is in where and to whom we align our loyalty against.

Hope is a word that is used nonchalantly at times. It is a word used to fill a void, for lack of a better word. "I hope you feel better soon." "I hope you get the promotion you are seeking." While both of these statements can be genuine, there is a definite lack of conviction.

Alongside of faith are the words trust and loyalty. It's good to remember these words as you develop that conviction within your faith. Loyal to our God. Trusting in His Word. Strengthening your faith.

Over the next 5 segments, we will define a path and I will offer different ways in which you can strengthen your faith.

Stay tuned...