An Abstract Faith
I often preach about the problem of abstract faith. This is the idea that faith is something undefinable - it's kinda like believing in something that's kinda different from knowing something with an element of trust in there and maybe kinda more a heart thing than a head thing...
Well, I don't know what that is, but it isn't the faith the Bible talks about. That almost makes it sound as if what we have faith in may or may not be real, but who cares! No. The faith the Bible talks about is a faith based on what actually is - not what may or may not be. It is a faith that is sure because the object of that faith - Jesus Christ - is as sure as it gets.
Can I get an Amen?
However, there is a different kind of abstract faith that affects us as believers in Christ. It is that faith that believes in Christ - believes in what the Bible says about Him and what it means for us - but that is abstract because we believe these things in principle but not in practice.
What do I mean?
Well, we all believe the Bible when it says:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
In fact, we all use this to reassure our brothers an sisters in times of crisis. But when we are in crisis, is our first thought, word, or deed one that comes from faith that God is using it for good? Or do we just believe that in the abstract?
We all like to say:
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
But when it comes time to do something difficult - whether it's witness to an unbeliever, pray in public, or stand by our convictions when we are surrounded by a group of people who don't share them - do we do it with faith that Christ gives us the strength to? Or do we just believe that in the abstract?
Listen, as I said, our faith if the most sure thing we have, because the object of our faith is the most sure thing the world has ever known. And our faith in He Who is so very real is based on the fact that some 2000 years ago He really lived, really lived perfectly, really went to the cross and died in our place, and really rose again on the third day for our justification. These are facts. Objective facts.
That makes our faith objective. It's real. And that means that God, in fact, works all things for the good of the elect. It means that God, in fact, strengthens us to do all those hard things He calls us to do. It means, in fact, that if we exercise our faith and live out these promises, God will be glorified, our faith will be strengthened, and souls will be saved. These are facts. Objective facts.
I encourage you, this Easter, take the opportunity - whatever opportunity God places in front of you - and exercise the very real faith God has given you, and see how real He is.
He is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Well, I don't know what that is, but it isn't the faith the Bible talks about. That almost makes it sound as if what we have faith in may or may not be real, but who cares! No. The faith the Bible talks about is a faith based on what actually is - not what may or may not be. It is a faith that is sure because the object of that faith - Jesus Christ - is as sure as it gets.
Can I get an Amen?
However, there is a different kind of abstract faith that affects us as believers in Christ. It is that faith that believes in Christ - believes in what the Bible says about Him and what it means for us - but that is abstract because we believe these things in principle but not in practice.
What do I mean?
Well, we all believe the Bible when it says:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
In fact, we all use this to reassure our brothers an sisters in times of crisis. But when we are in crisis, is our first thought, word, or deed one that comes from faith that God is using it for good? Or do we just believe that in the abstract?
We all like to say:
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
But when it comes time to do something difficult - whether it's witness to an unbeliever, pray in public, or stand by our convictions when we are surrounded by a group of people who don't share them - do we do it with faith that Christ gives us the strength to? Or do we just believe that in the abstract?
Listen, as I said, our faith if the most sure thing we have, because the object of our faith is the most sure thing the world has ever known. And our faith in He Who is so very real is based on the fact that some 2000 years ago He really lived, really lived perfectly, really went to the cross and died in our place, and really rose again on the third day for our justification. These are facts. Objective facts.
That makes our faith objective. It's real. And that means that God, in fact, works all things for the good of the elect. It means that God, in fact, strengthens us to do all those hard things He calls us to do. It means, in fact, that if we exercise our faith and live out these promises, God will be glorified, our faith will be strengthened, and souls will be saved. These are facts. Objective facts.
I encourage you, this Easter, take the opportunity - whatever opportunity God places in front of you - and exercise the very real faith God has given you, and see how real He is.
He is risen!
He is risen indeed!
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