February 2003 New Horizons

The Nature of Faith

by Peter Jensen

To the question "Why study faith?" there are three answers. First, such study is important because of the significance of faith in the Bible . A basic word study shows the vast number of instances of the word faith and its cognates. For example: "Your faith has healed you" (Mark 5:34). "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). "I live by faith" (Gal. 2:20). "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6). "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). It is not only the words for faith which show the importance of this matter. In many passages, the word itself is missing, but the theme is there. In passage after passage, the idea of faith and the challenge to faith are present. Ultimately, a Christian is known as a believer , and those who do not belong to Christ, whatever faith they may profess, are called unbelievers. Clearly, the bottom line is faith in Christ. Secondly, clear thinking about faith is essential, for if we are ... Read more

The Assurance of Faith

by Peter Jensen

Doubtless, every Christian minister has various defining moments. For me, one of those moments was a conversation that I had with a young student who was attending my church. I can remember sitting on the front steps of the church chatting to her about her problem of doubt. In trying to discover her particular difficulty, I mentioned to her several causes of doubt, such as the miracles of the Bible, or whether or not other religions will save people, or the problem of suffering. But to all these suggestions she answered "No." Her doubt was whether God would accept her. Although she was a Christian, she was deeply concerned about her acceptability to God. She was in despair about it. I myself had been troubled with intellectual doubts, but the question of whether or not God would accept me hardly crossed my mind. I realized then that there were people who had different doubts. My question at that stage in my life was, "Where is the true God?" But her question was, "Where is the gracious God?" In her ... Read more

The Life of Faith

by Peter Jensen

How do we live by faith? For the preacher, this question is even more complex: "How can I challenge my people to live by faith when I live by faith inadequately myself?" There are two passages in Scripture that speak particularly about the life of faith. The first of these states: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20) The second passage concludes: Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. ... Read more