How do you define the word "faith"? Have you ever thought about the way you define "faith" reveals for more about your Christianity than any other spiritual marker? For many in the American church, "faith" is defined as a set of right beliefs and right practices. "Faith" is measured by external markers such as church attendance and church giving. Faith is about a correct set of answers.
But what if we were define "faith" as the desire for a total life chasing after God and a desire to make God famous with love to others in Christ's name? How would you measure up to that "faith"? "Faith" then becomes not a practice of the mind (like a trivia game with rewards for right answers), but a journey of the heart and soul. It is measured by the reflection of your faith in the lives of others. Does that reflection look like Christ?
I had this really long comment planned out; however, I decided to go very simple.
ReplyDeleteI think many people get faith and belief mixed up. Faith involves belief - belief in the Christ of God, belief in the message he preached. However, there is an unexplainable tension where faith crosses over with action. Not the action of do's and don'ts, or a list of things we can do to save ourselves or remove our salvations, but the action of "remaining in him" and "taking up our cross daily" where we allow our hearts and minds to surrender to Christ, where we chase after him!
This is a very convicting view of faith. How many of us follow Christ heart and soul, with that "desire for a total life chasing after God"?
Good blog Chris.