UNDERSTANDING FAITH AS A CHRISTIAN

PART ONE

Background of faith

The concept of faith is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, starting from the earliest accounts in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word often translated as "faith" is "emunah," which primarily means firmness, steadiness, or fidelity. In the New Testament, the Greek word "pistis" is used, which means trust, belief, and faithfulness.Faith is portrayed as a response to God’s self-revelation. It is not merely intellectual assent but a relational trust in God, rooted in an understanding of His character and promises.


Faith as Assurance and Conviction 

Definition:

Faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This means that faith involves a deep confidence and firm belief in God's promises, even when there is no visible evidence to support it. It is a certainty in the heart that God will fulfill His word, despite any outward circumstances.To understand this concept better, let's explore several biblical refrences where faith as assurance and conviction is vividly demonstrated.

 1. Abraham’s Faith in God’s Promise (Genesis 15, 17, 21)

Abraham is one of the most prominent examples of faith in the Bible. God promised him that he would become the father of many nations, despite the fact that he and his wife Sarah were old and childless. The assurance and conviction of Abraham’s faith are seen when he continues to believe in God’s promise for many years, even though the fulfillment of that promise seemed humanly impossible.

Lesson:- Assurance in God’s Promise:

Despite his advanced age and Sarah's barrenness, Abraham was assured that God would give him a son. His assurance was not based on visible evidence but on the conviction that God is faithful to His promises. This is seen when he believed God’s promise, and it was "credited to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6).Conviction without Sight:
Abraham’s conviction was so strong that he was willing to leave his homeland and live as a foreigner in a land he did not know, trusting God’s guidance (Hebrews 11:8). Even when Sarah suggested taking Hagar, her maid, to bear a child, Abraham’s ultimate faith rested in God’s original promise that Sarah would bear the promised son.Fulfillment of Faith:
Abraham’s faith was vindicated when Isaac was born. This son was the fulfillment of the promise, showing that God honored Abraham’s faith as an assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.

2. Moses’ Faith in Deliverance (Hebrews 11:24-29)

Moses is another powerful example of faith as assurance and conviction. Born into a time of oppression, Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s household but chose to identify with his Hebrew heritage. His faith was demonstrated when he led the Israelites out of Egypt, trusting God’s promise of deliverance.

Lesson:- Assurance of God’s Plan:

Moses had a strong assurance that God had a plan to deliver the Israelites from bondage. Even when the task seemed insurmountable, he was convinced that God would fulfill His promise to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land.Conviction in the Face of Danger:
Moses’ conviction is vividly seen when he stands before Pharaoh, repeatedly demanding the release of the Israelites despite Pharaoh’s hardened heart and the increasing dangers. His faith led him to trust in God’s power, even when faced with the threat of death.Faith through the Red Sea:
One of the most dramatic demonstrations of faith as assurance and conviction occurred at the Red Sea. Trapped between the sea and the advancing Egyptian army, Moses assured the people that God would deliver them. His faith was so strong that he lifted his staff, and God parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14:13-22). This event is celebrated as a profound example of faith in God’s unseen deliverance.

3: Joshua and the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6)

Joshua, the successor of Moses, demonstrated great faith when he led the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan. The fall of Jericho is a prime example of faith as assurance and conviction.
Lesson :Assurance in God’s Unconventional Strategy:
God’s plan to conquer Jericho was highly unconventional: the Israelites were to march around the city for seven days, with the priests blowing trumpets, and on the seventh day, they were to shout, and the walls would collapse. Joshua’s assurance in God’s strategy, despite its unusual nature, was a testament to his faith.
Joshua’s conviction was evident as he led the Israelites in following God’s exact instructions without deviation. The entire nation participated in this act of faith, demonstrating their collective conviction in God’s power and promise.Victory through Faith:
On the seventh day, the walls of Jericho fell, just as God had promised. This miraculous victory underscored the power of faith as an assurance and conviction that God’s word is true, even when His methods are beyond human understanding.

4: The Faith of the Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13)

A Roman centurion approached Jesus, asking Him to heal his servant. His faith stood out because he believed that Jesus could heal from a distance, without even visiting his home.

Lesson: Assurance in Jesus’ Authority:

The centurion had complete assurance in Jesus’ authority. He believed that Jesus had the power to heal his servant with just a word. This assurance was not based on physical proximity or visible rituals but on the recognition of Jesus' divine authority.Conviction without Seeing:
The centurion’s conviction was so strong that he told Jesus He didn’t need to come to his house—just speaking the word would be enough. Jesus marveled at this faith, saying He hadn’t found such great faith even in Israel (Matthew 8:10).

Result of Faith:

Jesus granted the centurion’s request, and his servant was healed at that very hour. This incident highlights faith as assurance and conviction in Jesus’ power, even without seeing the process or the person performing the miracle.

 5: The Faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated faith when they refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue. Their faith was so strong that they were willing to face death in a fiery furnace rather than compromise their trust in God.Key Points:Assurance in God’s Sovereignty:
The three men had an unshakable assurance that God could deliver them from the fiery furnace. They expressed their faith by declaring that even if God chose not to deliver them, they would still not worship the king’s idol (Daniel 3:17-18).Conviction in God’s Will:
Their conviction was evident in their readiness to face death. They believed in God’s power to save them but were also convicted that God’s will was perfect, whether or not it included their physical rescue.

Divine Deliverance:

God honored their faith by delivering them from the furnace. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and they emerged unharmed. This event demonstrated that faith as assurance and conviction in God can lead to miraculous outcomes, even in the most dire situations.
Conclusion: In each of these cases, faith as assurance and conviction was the driving force behind extraordinary acts of trust in God. Whether it was Abraham waiting for a promised son, Moses leading a nation to freedom, Joshua conquering Jericho, the centurion believing in Jesus' healing power, or the three Hebrew men facing a fiery death, their faith was marked by a deep confidence in God's promises and a firm belief in what was not yet seen.
 Meaning that all  believers should be inspired to hold onto their faith, even when circumstances seem impossible.