Originally written June, 2006
Early one morning during a boating trip with my parents the fog was so dense that we could barely see the entrance to the marina where we were docked. A white blanket hovered over the still water as the sound of gulls echoed across the silence of the inland water way. We were fogged in! While I was thinking we would wait until the fog cleared before leaving port on our journey to Rhode Island, I heard the powerful roar of the boats twin diesel engines break the solitude. My dad yelled down for me to throw off the lines. We were headed out despite the fog. The boat is equipped with radar that allows users to continue on despite poor visibility. My dad trusted those instruments to guide us safely through the fog even as our visibility fell to 30 feet once we were off shore. As we cruised at our speed of 18 knots the radar screen showed the blinking dots of other boats running parallel to ours, within feet of our boat in fact, but invisible to the human eye. We could not see anything but fog. I was concerned! My dad, on the other hand, seemed rather calm. He could not see the other boats either, but he knew their position and watched them intently on the radar screen knowing we were safe to proceed. My dad had faith!
A Religious Term?
If you are like me, you may have associated faith primarily with religion. Most people probably do. So believing that someone leaving port in the fog has anything to do with faith might seem a stretch to you! If we are realistic, most of us probably assume, when speaking of a man or woman of faith, they are speaking of a man or woman who trusts in God. And that certainly is true of those who put their faith in God. The main point of the entire Holy Bible is, in fact, about having faith in God! The Bible says, “without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exits and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”1 But as the example of my father illustrates, faith does not appear to be a religious term nor, interestingly enough, does it appear to be defined that way biblically.
Definition
According to the Bible faith is, “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see.”2 Webster defines faith as; “belief and trust”, “firm belief in something for which there is no proof.” Clearly these definitions support a broader definition of faith other than just faith in God or religion. In fact, faith really is what we put our trust in before an event has happened whether there is proof or not that it ever will happen. And think about it. Most of us put our faith (or trust) in a variety of places similarly to my dad’s faith in his instruments. For instance, when we get sick most of us put our trust in medicine, doctors, and or surgeons to help us get well. If we get in serious trouble we typically hire a lawyer to help us out of our situation. If we are threatened we put our faith in the police or fire department. If we invest in the stock market we typically trust our investment will grow. And there are other areas where our faith or trust is commonly placed. The point is we all have faith, the real issue then is not whether anyone reading this document has faith or not, the issue is where we place our faith. Which is a question all of us should seriously consider.
Desperate Faith
In the movie “Cast Away,” Tom Hanks plays a Federal Express employee whose airplane has crashed on a deserted island. He is the soul survivor. As time progresses he opens a Fed Ex package that he was trying to deliver and finds a Wilson soccer ball. Lonely and desperate Tom Hanks character draws a face on the soccer ball and names it “Wilson.” He then speaks to Wilson as if Wilson is a person. Tom Hanks character put his faith in a soccer ball, as his sole companion, even though he always knew it was just a soccer ball. Although this may sound outrageous, many of us put our faith in things that may be as ridiculous as putting our faith in a friendly soccer ball, if not more so. A drunk driver behind the wheel, for instance, may have faith in his driving ability when in fact his driving is impaired. Someone breaking the law may have faith they will not get caught despite the odds that they will get caught, eventually. Some may believe they will never get ill or hurt or run into trouble when statistically it is impossible to avoid trouble as long as we are human beings. Many others will put their faith in their daily horoscope or in the psychic hotline for guidance or in the power of luck or some superstitious belief that may have only the power we give it to influence our lives.
Faith in Ourselves
Furthermore, as more and more of us begin to trust less and less in other areas, most of us still trust in our selves since we know we have our best interests at heart. Faith in ourselves is sometimes equated with the power of positive thinking, which obviously has its benefits. The story of Rudy Ruedicker is a good illustration of this point. Most everyone but Rudy thought he was too small and too dumb to go to the University of Notre Dame and play football. Despite the odds and challenges Rudy did go to Notre Dame and he did get on the football team and he did play football for Notre Dame. Rudy had a dream and nobody was going to stop him from accomplishing his dream. His faith in himself had a tremendously positive impact on his life. There are many examples of those who have had faith in their abilities and who overcame typically insurmountable odds to accomplish their dreams.
Lacking the Supernatural
Unfortunately our faith in the abilities of those examples mentioned, although genuine and well intended, cannot do the impossible or the supernatural. They let us down. A doctor or surgeon can help us when we are sick but they cannot always save us. There are numerous cases where someone dies that, medically speaking, should live and someone lives that again, medically speaking, should die, to the surgeons chagrin. Lawyers do their best to win but in the actual court room someone always loses, which, as we all know, is true of all competitive situations. The judicial system does a good job of protecting the innocent but sometimes the innocent are convicted unjustly and vice versa. The stock market can yield strong returns but can turn when we least expect it. The Enron scandal proves that even when the market is doing well we cannot always trust that our investments will do equally well. 911 and Hurricane Katrina clearly show us that none of us are really safe no matter how safe we think we are or no matter what precautions we might take. And for all the Rudy’s that make it, there are probably more that do not. Most of us are probably experienced enough with life to know that life does not always work out the way we think whether we have faith in the things mentioned or not, including having faith in our selves. Which brings us to religious faith or the supernatural. But that too takes faith.
Thousands of Religions
With thousands of world religions vying for our religious “faith” it can become confusing what to believe. Particularly since religions are all different, by definition, some even contradictory. But we all deal with this assortment of ideas or choices often in our lives. Before we use a doctor, surgeon, accountant or lawyer, for instance, we must choose one. Choice is something all of us deal with every day in all areas of our life. And we don’t randomly pick someone to represent or help us without considering our options. Furthermore, all of us know that not all doctors are competent, not all accountants use generally accepted accounting principles or can be trusted, not all preachers preach the truth, not all pilots are prepared, and not all parents are loving. I think you get the point; not all religions are true just because they exist. So, rather than write this issue of religion off into a mysterious category of the unknowable, perhaps we should investigate them and decide which we believe is true, using our minds in conjunction with faith. That is what logical people do for other important matters in their lives, so why not do the same with religion? In that regard here is a very cursory look at some of the most common belief systems.3
Different Religions
Islam, for instance, believes that there is one God, named Allah, who is unknowable. Followers of Islam, called Muslims, believe that their good deeds, including their ability to follow the law, determine whether they will live in paradise or hell.4 Judaism, the precursor to Christianity, believes the law to be the basis for a right or wrong relationship with God. Their ability to follow that law determines their status before God.5 Secularism really does not believe in God at all. Rather these followers have faith in science and rationalism as their god. Reason becomes their key focus and reason is based more on science and logic than on faith. Followers of Hinduism, Hindus, believe God is a universal spirit and everyone is part of God.6 The New Age movement believes that everyone and everything is God, similarly to Hinduism. People have to discover their inner power and take advantage of that power.7 Followers of Scientology, Scientologists, do not define God or a Supreme Being but believe that everyone is an immortal spirit with unlimited power over their own universe.8 Mormonism believes there is a God and that followers are saved by their performance.9 Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a One-person God, called Jehovah. Followers earn salvation by “door-to-door work.”10 Buddhism believes God to be a state of mind, nirvana, which is an abstract void that they reach when they follow the Eightfold Path to eliminate their desires. Buddhism is a mostly atheistic faith. And then there is Christianity.
Biblical Christianity
Biblical Christians believe that there is one loving God (in three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) who created the heavens and earth, and who is perfect.11 As imperfect people, which is what the Bible claims we all are (and most of us understand), Christians believe there is no way to please God on our own, no matter how many good deeds we may do.12 In fact, the Bible calls our good works filthy rags because in comparison to God all of our works or efforts to please Him fall short of His Glory.13 Biblical Christians believe that as a result of this discrepancy between perfection and imperfection, God sent Jesus, His Son, to die for our faults, to satisfy His justice and to rescue us from our shortcomings.14 In other words, we could not save ourselves, so God did it for us by sending His Son. He allowed Jesus to be killed on the cross, with all of our sin or faults mysteriously in his body, and then God raised Him from the dead defeating death for all who believe. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, God mysteriously sends us His Spirit to live in our hearts as spiritually born again people, forgiven for all our past mistakes and reconciled to God forever.15 Said another way; God did the work, we need to accept the offer and our eternity depends on our choice.
Two World Religions?
What is interesting about all religions is that they can be categorized into two, whether we earn our salvation by our own efforts (our works or performance) or whether God earned it for us by His effort or work. In that regard its either “do” or “done.” Did you catch that? All religions can be categorized into two; whether we earn our salvation or eternal life by what we do, or by what God did. Furthermore, when all the world religious are dissected, only Christianity stands opposed to all others. Christianity is the only world religion of all the thousands of world religions that says that we cannot work our way to Heaven! So regardless of the fact that only a handful of religions were mentioned in this document, Christianity is the only one juxtaposed to all world religions that says we cannot earn our salvation or save ourselves by what we do. That is why the New Testament, the Gospels of Jesus Christ, are considered good news and why Christians are fanatical about sharing their faith! Because it truly is a gift from God out of His love for us! What Christians do to serve God therefore, is in response to what God has done for us, out of gratitude, rather than out of obligation. And although it may sound like rhetoric to some, there is a huge difference between working for a dictator and serving a gracious leader! Consider falling in love as an example.
Falling In Love
When most of us are in love we “want” to do for the object of our love, we don’t do it begrudgingly, rather, we do it passionately and willingly to show our true feelings. It’s what healthy spouses do for one another, what healthy parents do for their kids and what healthy kids do for their parents as well. Christians who truly believe Jesus Christ died on that cross for their sins, and who truly believe God loves them as His own, just as they are, and Christians who believe God’s character to be loving, good, and sovereign, more like a Heavenly Daddy than a Heavenly Dictator, as the Bible says, those Christians want to follow, serve and worship Him!16 Furthermore, when we believe that God’s plan for our lives is truly the best plan for our lives then we will joyfully follow Him, no matter how difficult the path might be because it is still better than the path we might choose for ourselves!
Pleasing God
And think about it. How can we please God through what we do? Statistically speaking, most of us look at Creation and believe in a supernatural Being. The universe is far greater than our minds can comprehend, our bodies are far more complex than we can understand, and love is far too mysterious to fathom! Furthermore, it seems unlikely that any of us created ourselves, let alone created the planet or universe. And unless you are in the minority who believe that life evolved out of nothing, defying every scientific principle on the planet, then something started this entire thing we call life. Biblical Christians believe that God did the same thing that He did for creation, for our salvation – He did it, Himself. And we are left to simply accept the gift of salvation by believing the message. Interestingly enough, when you think about it, Christianity is the most obvious and beautiful gift to every person on the planet, and may take less faith to believe then any other option presented. And yet many people find it offensive that Christians actually believe what Christians believe is true! In fact, many say Christians are judgmental for that reason. But that is not judgment, au contraire that is faith!
Conclusion
While my dad was running the boat at 18 knots in the fog, I had had enough! I reached down from the flying bridge (the upper deck of the boat) and grabbed my mother’s hand and gently yanked her up to where I was steering! Out loud I prayed with my mother that God would immediately clear the fog so that we could see the boats that were next to us. With a strong emphasis on immediately! I prayed this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus! Within seconds, and I am not kidding it was within seconds of our prayer, the fog had cleared enough so that we could see the boats running to our side and a couple minutes later we could see the shore line in the distance. My mom, who had gone below just after the prayer, looked up at me and said we had witnessed a miracle, and we had!
Although I used to have faith in many of the things I mentioned in this document, ultimately I too discovered they could not clear the fog in my own search for meaning. Interestingly enough, the Bible calls those other things “gods” and says of those gods, “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!”17 Well, mine could not. So I turned to religion and the church. Some may consider that a crutch, I considered it a possible solution to my search. And although I discovered that “church” was not the answer, I found the answer at church. Now, after having studied the Bible for years, including studying other religions and or beliefs, I have concluded the Bible is true, all of it. And the Bible says Jesus is the only way to God, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”18 Furthermore, it explains why that is true in an understandable and intelligent manner. Christianity is the only religion that is consistent with what I believe to be true about love. And when you think about it, really think about it, what more could God have done? In fact, what more would you want God to have done to save you? Really, think about that for a moment. If all religions were true, which one would you want to follow? The ones that demand you earn God’s favor by what you do, always wondering if you have done enough, the ones that say it is all up to you, or its all inside of you, or the one that says God already did the work and all you have to do is accept the gift? Perhaps you still say it takes a lot of faith to believe this message. You’re right, it does. But how much faith does it take to believe what you believe? Seriously! What proof do you have that your faith is based on fact rather than fiction? And remember, despite any doubt, skepticism or criticism of the Holy Bible, including the fictitious Da Vinci Code (great story that is based on assumptions without proof), the Bible is the most influential book in civilization, it was written over a 1,500 year period by more than 40 authors, it testifies to being the inspired word of God, people died bringing us the Bible as we know it, its predictions have come true, no historical or archeological discovery has ever proved it inaccurate (in fact, all discoveries have proved it to be accurate), and some form of the expression “The Lord says” is written over 3,000 times in the Bible! There is no other book on the planet that testifies to such authority! Maybe the Jesus of the Bible is worth seeking before you make an eternal decision that, according to the same Bible, will affect you and your loved ones forever. Please, find a church that preaches clearly and accurately from the pages of the Bible, one that is not based upon tradition but based upon the Word of God, the Holy Bible. And read and study the Bible yourself. Because if it is true, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! I did and it changed my life forever, literally!
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
To Christ Be The Glory!
End Notes
- Hebrews 11:6. All scripture referenced will be the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
- Hebrews 11:1.
- Information on the different religions has been gleaned from “Christianity, Cults & Religions”, (Rose Publishing, Tor., CA) 1996.
- Islam was founded by Muhammad about 610 AD, in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) and Medina. They follow the Qur´an (Koran). They believe God revealed the Qur´an to Muhammad by way of the angel Gabriel (which they consider the Holy Spirit). Muslims consider God to be a “severe judge” who is sometimes merciful. They believe Jesus to be a spirit of God, but one of approximately 124,000 prophets sent by God to our world. Jesus was not God and not crucified. For those who reject Islam, they will spend an eternity in Hell.
- Judaism is the precursor of Christianity and founded by the Abraham of the Bible about 2000 B.C., in the Middle East. There are three branches; Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed views. Jews rely on the Tanakh (Old Testament or Covenant), and especially the Torah (the first five books of the OT or the Law). Some Jews believe that prayer, repentance, and obeying the Law are necessary for salvation.
- Hinduism began around 1800-1000 BC in India. To Hindus, Jesus Christ is a teacher, a guru. He is a son of God just like we are. His death did not atone for sins and he did not rise from the dead. You can be released from the cycle of reincarnation, becoming one with Brahman, through yoga and meditation. It can take many life times and you are reincarnated into a better status (good karma) depending on how you behaved. If you behave badly, you can be reborn and pay for your past sins.
- Similar to Hinduism, this movement was popularized by Shirley MacLaine in the 1980’s-90’s. There is no holy book but an assortment of ideas from various other religions. They believe God to be more like an impersonal force rather than a person. They believe in reincarnation until a person reaches oneness with God. They do not believe in a heaven or hell.
- It was founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard. Each person is a “thetan,” or their own God. They follow the publication called “Dianetics,” by Hubbard and others. Jesus was not and is not God. There is no Holy Spirit, there is no sin or need to repent and salvation is freedom from reincarnation. Reincarnation allows followers to progress up the “bridge to total freedom.”
- Founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830, Mormonism key writings include the Book of Mormon and an inspired version of the Bible (inspired by Joseph Smith). Most believe God the Father (Elohim) was once a man who became God and thus has a physical body. Jesus was created by Elohim and was married. He is our “elder brother” and his death does provide followers with a resurrection. Followers are “resurrected by grace, but saved (exalted to godhood) by works, including faithfulness to church leaders, Mormon baptism, tithing, ordination, marriage, and secret temple rituals. No eternal life without Mormon membership.”
- This group was started around 1879 in Pennsylvania involving Charles Taze Russell and later, Joseph F. Rutherford. They are known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and meet on Sundays in the “Kingdom Halls.” Jesus, previously Michael the archangel, was created by Jehovah and is not God. Salvation is limited to 144,000.
- Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty”. Which really means God is perfect and free from sin. Sin is actually anti-His nature. Psalm 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect.”
- “There is no one righteous, not even one” and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:10, 3:23, Psalm 53:1&3. See also Jeremiah 17:17 about the deceitfulness of the heart.
- Isaiah 64:6 “and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” & Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- As a perfect God, He must be just. If he does not deal with our sin then he is not being true to His character as a perfect and therefore perfectly just God.
- Romans 10:9.
- 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us”, 1 John 4:16, “God is love”, John 3:16. Isaiah 35:4, 37:26. Actually a good read of the whole book and all the prophets makes God’s sovereignty clear! 1 Samuel 8 too. Psalm 118:29, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Romans 8:15, “And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Abba is translated daddy.
- Judges 10:14.
- John 14:6.
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