Saturday, February 4, 2012
Faith or Hope?
What is faith? Is it merely hoping for something, or is it something bigger and stronger.
The Collins English Dictionary defines “faith” as “strong or unshakable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence.” In Christianity, faith is trust in God.
Hebrews 11:1 says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” If faith is substance, should there be tangible evidence we can lay hold of?
In hope, we are waiting to see something with our own eyes. But if it needs to be proven before it is believed, that is not faith. It is not faith if we are trusting our five senses to “prove” it. It is still hope.
It is so easy to express our hope for something we want or need, either for ourselves or someone else. We express our hope with great conviction and sincerity. Hope, however, is for something that “will” happen.
Hope is necessary. We all need hope to survive in this world. But hope is almost always future tense. If we stay in the hope realm, we may never realize what we are “hoping” for. Faith “real-izes” our hope and turns it to substance. Faith completes our hope and makes it real. Faith believes it has already happened, no matter how things may appear. Faith is for NOW!
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9 comments:
Ticker - What is Faith?
Let me take a wild f*ing guess.
It's something Bigger and Stronger.
Did I get the Answer right - Ticker?
Yes! I like the "old" 'ticker and am sure I will love the new one. You my dear friend have so much to teach us. BB
Read it again Sue and try to be more respectful in your comments here.
Thanks BB, I do hope you will enjoy the "new" ticker. I hope that at least a few will "get" it and enjoy it.
I'm going to LOVE the new Ticker if you continue to have pieces like this, thanks so much, my friend.
I have friends now who pray, instead of "Dear God, please...", "Dear God, I believe your will be done.." "...I believe you hear my prayer.."
I BELIEVE, not I HOPE YOU.....will do this or that.
It's so much more powerful.
I really like your comparison with HOPE and FAITH...Hope is almost unbelieving, not totally trusting, isn't it.
And, of course, we all have to know it's HIS WILL that we should always have faith in.....not ours. And FAITH helps us remember that everything that we think's going wrong is strengthening us, is working for HIS PURPOSE ('For we know that, in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.')
Sorry to go on and on, you inspire me! xxx
Glad you had a lovely day with Mrs. Ticker! (tell her hell0)
Glad you like it Z and yes this is typical of what you can expect on 'Jus Sayin" for some time to come. I do not intend to become "preachyfied" just present some truths to get folks to stop, think and maybe ask questions that all can take part in discussing. It is something that I have felt I needed to do for sometime now and so here it is.
Ticker, well said!
To me, faith is knowing that you know, that you KNOW, that GOD IS!
Knowing that, we know, also, that we can trust Him for, and in, all things, because He is faithful.
Well said Jan. Don't be a stranger!
Its a great discussion and clear point....though faith doesnt always have to involve god... i believe that faith can stand wholly on its own. It's a great way to focus oneself, ones thoughts and ones life.....
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