Good morning. There is a faulty idea in the world which passes along the notion that Christian “faith” is something “religious” people irrationally cling to even though evidence says that their beliefs are misplaced. I would suggest to you today that not only is that idea mistaken, but that it represents an absolute reversal of what is true.
Christian faith is substantiated by evidence and testing. As a matter of fact, God insists on that approach.
In the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1-3 we read: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old were approved. 3 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.
Faith is an assurance and faith brings conviction. Those are not words that imply some soft sided wishful thinking. As we read the 3rd verse, we see that our faith is substantiated by the truths of creation. God tells us in Romans 1:18-23 that the evidence provided in creation reveals to us the presence of God and even the truths of His nature. 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
When God saw that His people were not living faithfully, He challenged them: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Malachi 3:10
God commanded that His people put Him to the test.
In Hebrews 3:9 we are reminded of the 40 years the Israelites were in the wilderness, “Where your fathers tried me by testing me. They saw My works for those 40 years.”
In spiritual matters we are commanded not to accept things with superficial faith, but rather we are commanded to test them: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. 1 John 4:1-3
I could go on, but the point is this, Christian faith is not established and upheld by nonsensical ideas that are not founded and supported in truth. Just the opposite is true, and just the opposite is commanded of us by God. We are commanded to investigate. We are commanded to use our minds and to honestly consider the evidence we see in this world, and to take into account the track record of God in His interaction with His people.
May your faith be shrewd today, well founded, well proven, and strong!
Vern