Ramon Arias | April 25, 2016
When was the last time you saw a photo of planet Earth taken from outer space? It is a beautiful sight suspended in space, it looks peaceful and inviting, does it not? If you compare it with neighboring planets of our solar system, well, there is just no comparison. However, it is quite another story to be on this planet with all the historical and social convulsions that generation after generation have lived through and will continue to live through.
Have you ever considered that it would take so little to wreck our planet? It can happen by outside forces such as meteorites, solar flares or by the earth getting a little closer to the sun or moving away from it; we are very fragile. One would think that the way humanity has developed throughout centuries and continues to grow that we are the masters of our destiny and are unstoppable in our pursuit of accomplishing our vision for life and the world. Have you ever considered that it all comes down to people’s faith? Faith is the driving force behind our convictions and accomplishments whether we are going to be constructive or destructive.
What kind of faith do you think dominates the nations, including the United States? It is impossible for a person not to have faith even if they proudly or arrogantly profess not to have it. From the moment we rise in the morning until the time we go back to bed, there is an interaction with faith; even if no one pays attention it doesn’t change the fact that we all operate on faith. Just think of all the things you do in a day, and for a moment take notice of how much faith you have to use as you trust every single action you take. I know you have probably experienced the death of someone around you or know of someone’s sudden death that surprises or shocks people into reality; it is a reminder that life does come to an end in this world. Death is part of life, and we will face it when our time comes. Most people see death as the final step of their existence and according to their faith; they have a belief of what is next, whether it is something or nothing. What do we live for? That is a question that has an answer in everyone’s faith.
Don’t let atheists, agnostics, and humanists fool you when you hear them brag about not having faith simply because of their denial of God’s existence. They too must exercise faith on a daily basis. From those who deny the existence of the spiritual dimension down through all of the known religions, a profession of faith is made to their brand of faith. Everyone’s faith manifests itself in culture, and that should teach us volumes about people’s actions.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s definition of faith is:
1 a: allegiance to duty or a person: loyalty b (1): fidelity to one’s promises (2): sincerity of intentions
2 a (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust
As we can see, it is impossible for anyone to think that they are faithless. Did you get this part of the definition, “firm belief in something for which there is no proof”? This firm belief includes the secular religious faith of atheism, evolution, and humanism.
Not one aspect of human action is devoid of the secular faith in science, law, economics, politics, education, entertainment, and in a few words, it touches all walks of life. Are nations making positive progress with their secular faith or are they leading themselves and their people to the precipice? The same applies to all religions; where are they leading the people and nations they influence?
The secular humanist faith is collapsing all over the world, as hard as this may seem to believe, it is a fact. Some may say that all evidence is against my assessment, especially when we are witnessing how Christianity is under attack, even in America. The reason for the failure of secularist faith to better the world is evidenced in the outcome. It is the same disease that has plagued humanity throughout history; a faith that bases itself upon lies.
There’s no denial that most who belong to the Christian religion and profess belief in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures don’t pass the test of a committed profession of faith; the present condition of society is the evidence that indicts them. Two thousand years of Christianity and the errors committed by the believers have still not disqualified biblical faith.
Biblical faith is a dynamic experience to those who convert, by following God in obedience; this is what history reveals before and after Christ. From Genesis to Revelation the Scriptures have much to teach us about the revolutionary effects of biblical faith.
The best way to find the definition of faith is in the letter to the Hebrews:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible…. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:1-3, 6)
I highly encourage you to read and study Hebrews chapter 11, in depth. It was written two thousand years ago to encourage the Jews to embrace Jesus the promised Messiah. The writer describes the courage and achievements of those whose faith centered in the knowledge of God’s revealed truth. Rest assured; it was never a misguided and feeble faith like what is taught in modern apostate Christianity, which makes cowards of God’s people whom He bought at such a high price with the blood of Christ.
Biblical faith is based on the relevant knowledge of the One that created all things. He is the only reliable source of true promises provided we guaranty obedience and loyalty. The level of God’s knowledge causes faith to be grounded in the truth with no room for wavering; it generates an enormous, passionate way of life against all odds. Finally, faith is crowned with a dimension of trust that is literally out of this world. God, our heavenly Father, becomes the source of our faith and there is nothing or no one that can compare with Him. Nothing can cause our confidence to stumble because we know who controls all things.
The biblical definition of faith has proven to be true knowledge because it doesn’t originate with a mortal man; therefore, it is flawless. It is a faith tested throughout time and always proves to be genuine. This kind of faith makes us gain such confidence; it is the only salvation for humanity. All other religions have never been able to destroy those of biblical faith. They may have harmed their physical bodies or caused their physical death, but not destroy them. History and the present tell us who the final conquerors are; Jesus is the model to follow: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
God Almighty has the plan to restore this world, and we are saved, through Christ, to be part of that marvelous plan in the here and now. From a distance in outer space, this planet looks so beautiful, because it is and the original intent will be accomplished with peace and nations will enjoy the benefits of God’s law.
Nominal Christians and non-Christians have a choice, they either remain in their brand of faith or embrace and experience the perfect biblical faith and become part of God’s people who are an actual force to reckon with. We must keep in mind that we too will exit this world. And we can affirm like the apostle Paul did before the perverted Emperor of Rome, Nero who executed him by decapitation: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
It is all about whose faith we are embracing.