FAITH and FACTS
As someone new to walking in the way of Jesus, one of the hardest things to leave behind is the common conception of what is true and factual. "Mainstream" thought is too often based on the belief that scientific research is the acceptable means to gain knowledge and understanding, while approaching life through faith and Biblical instructions/history is the route that requires little or no intelliectual ability.
Lord willing, I'll endeaver to serve-up some food for thought.
On this page we'll look at some words often used in Scripture and the world to express one's belief system. While you ponder what's written here consider the immense complexitiy involved in the act of digesting information. I pray that "your mind and your heart will be open to the concepts presented and that the truth will be revealed to you."
The objective here is to reveal truth. If you are reading this you have a good idea what's at stake.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." HEBREWS 11:1-3
SOME DEFINITIONS
FAITH 1. unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence 2. unquestioning belief in God, religious tenets, etc. 3. a religion or system of religious beliefs 4. anything believed 5. complete trust, confidence, or reliance 6. allegiance to some person or thing; loyalty
FACT 1. a deed; act 2. a thing that has actually happened or that is really true; thing that has been or is 3. the state of things as they are; reality; actuality; truth 4. something said to have occured or supposed to be true
TRUE 1. faithful; loyal; constant 2. reliable; certain 3. in accordance with fact; that agrees with reality; not false 4. conforming to an original, pattern, rule, standard, etc 5. rightful; lawful;legitimate 6. accurately fitted, placed, or shaped 7. real; genuine; authentic 8. determined by the poles of the eathe's axis, not the earth's magentic poles 9. honest, virtuous, or truthful
BELIEF 1. the state of believing; conviction or acceptance that certain things are to be true or real 2. faith, esp. relgious faith 3. trust or confidence 4. anything believed or accepted as true; esp. a creed, doctrine, or tenet 5. an opinion; expectation; judgement
REAL 1. existing or happening as or in fact; actual, true, etc. ; not merely seeming, pretended, imagined, fictitious, nomial, or ostensible 2. a) genuine; authentic b) not pretended; sincere
EVIDENT 1. easy to see or perceive; clear; obvious; plain; apparent
** all definitions are according to Webster's Dictionary
"Jesus saith unto him, ' I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto Father, but by me."JOHN 14:8
As we see from the defintions above faith, truth and reality are closely related concepts. For one to accept as fact any information, one must believe in the veracity of the source. This requires faith! The evidence presented through research in certain sciences neither, "easliy seen or perceived, clear, obvious, etc.: How many of you have personally seen an atom? Most likely you exercise faith in the accuracy and ability of those doing the research.
BIAS AND BELIEF
TRUTH is absolute!!! Belief and application of truth are subject to individual bias. Some may try to differentiate between Spiritual and physical reality. In fact our physical is manifestation of our bias (to-or-fro) ward the truth. The things we learn, experience, and have revealed to us affect how we relate to the world around us and the Spiritual battles within us.
For example: The same data presented to scientists of both creationist and evolutionist belief systems will yield drastically opposing interpretations. Not because of error in the data, rather, differences in bias. Once a revelation about creation is made to a believer there is a low probability that the data will have to be reinterpreted to fit the Biblical account. However an evolutionist will need to adjust or ignore other theories and establish parameters to fit the new discoveries into the facts.
As shown above there's no mistaken use of the word faithful first in defining "true". The words in the Hebrew text translated as "true" or "verily" are derived from the word "aram" which translates as faithful, trust, or believe.
In the New Testament the word most often used when Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you..." is a Greek word of Hebrew origin, "aram" derived as above from amen!!! The indication here is that truth is inseparable from faith.
PERSONALITY, PREDESTINATION, & PREROGATIVE
Does character determine destiny? Some would suggest that we are the masters of our own fate. (note; neither "character" nor "destiny" are translated explicitly in the King James Version)
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us excepted in the beloved."
EPHESIANS 1:4-5
Character 1. a distinctive mark 5. a distinctive trait, quality, or attribute: characteristic 6. esstential quality; nature; kind or sort 7. the pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group: moral constitution 8. moral strength; self discipline, fortitude, etc 9. a) reputation b) good reputation
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not by works, lest any man should boast." EPHESIANS 2:8-9
Many non-believers ask for proof of God's existence. While we may be used as instruments to say or act on His behalf, it is the Holy Spirit who is able to prove His truth.
" I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. " 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-6
The LORD states, by the hand of the Apostle Paul, that HE wills ALL men to know HIM!!! Why then don't we all live, "A quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty,?" Because He has endowed us, "in His likeness," with all our own, the freedom to choose which master we will serve. And not everyone chooses to abide in His will.
Matthew Henry mentions the immense scope of responsiblitiy carried by those in authority whether politican, priest, professor, or employer as the need for prayer on their behalf. There is additionally the importance of prayer for those who affect society.
Having presented the concept that truth and faith are one and that Jesus Christ is the truth, there can be no doubt that faith belongs in Truth!!!
By the Grace of God...
Matthew Lyons
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