Simplicity of Faith

Often we hear that Christianity is many things and it is tied to many people. When we think of who is representative of the Christian faith, Protestants will point to Billy Graham; Catholics to the Pope. 
If asked to describe a Christian or the Church, a non-believer is likely to use words like, 'judgmental,' 'hypocritical,' 'political,' and even 'self-righteous.'

In fact, there is only one person with whom the Christian faith is defined within - Jesus Christ.
Scripture: Heb 12:2 
"...Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;"

What this tells us is that whatever else people may identify with the Christian faith, there is no escaping that Christianity is in Jesus. It was not founded by a well-meaning guru. Christianity is defined in Jesus as the followers of Himself.

With that said, faith is the key to the life a Christian leads. 
Without faith, the Bible tells us that it is impossible to please God - and this is true. But there is more to it on a more practical approach.
Without faith, there would be no approaching God for salvation - for, we would not believe God existed.
Without faith, there would be no forgiveness, no deliverance, no salvation, no communion with God and certainly no spiritual life at all in any way.
There may be a formality, there may be a ritual without faith; but there would not be a relationship with God Himself without faith.

Faith is very simple; yet, it is very difficult to define. 
There is only one place in the entire Bible where faith is defined - Hebrews 11:1. It says:
'Now faith is the assurance of things hope for, the conviction of things not seen.'

That is the brief definition and this definition is more of a functional statement more than a practical way of life lived before God. It speaks of the operation of faith; not what faith is in its essence.
Faith is a very abstract idea; so, the writers of the Bible will describe faith, talk of faith, direct us to faith - but when it gets to the point of defining faith, instead of a definition, the Bible will point us to a great man or woman of God.
This is something I can understand because in trying to describe/discuss faith, I have found I would rather exercise faith than try to define it. It is much easier to show someone a picture of the Grand Canyon than it is to describe its vastness - and so it is with faith.

When I was very sick and dying, I never lost faith in God and I never doubted what He could do. Whether or not God would, should or should not heal me, that wasn't my call and I didn't worry about it. 
As things unfold in my life, things I cannot control; I don't really worry about it, not because I don't care about it but rather, it is because in faith I have found rest in His peaceful presence.

You see, faith is the least self-regarding of any virtue we may have. Faith does not see itself, but rather the object upon which it is fixed. 
By it's nature, faith should be barely conscious of its own existence; similar to a human eye. Our eye does not see itself, but it is filled with whatever it gazes upon. In doing so, the one with faith pays no attention to himself.
Faith looks out, not inward. Faith lives because faith is alive.
And it is alive because it is found only in a Living God.

There are several great things about faith in God through Jesus Christ. 
The first is the faithful themselves.
If you have never read Hebrews 11, I would invite you to do so because the cast of characters are more likely to fit a list of men and women at the county jail. You have murderers, adulterers, men who turned their backs on God and women who gave themselves to every man who asked.
Of the faithful in the Bible - their sins are never covered up and God never white-washed what they did; and still, God saved them for Himself and loved them just as He loves you and I and all who will come to Him in the simplicity of faith.

The second thing I love about the faith in God through Christ is what it is dependent on.
God never, not once, made salvation dependent on anything but Himself.
God never saved people because of a new moon, a holy day or a Sabbath. He still doesn't.
The Christian is not closer to Christ on Easter than any other day; no, we are in Christ by faith every day equally because His presence is everywhere equally.
Jesus Christ sits on the throne of our hearts on all days at all times.
Contrary to popular belief, the Christian faith is not dependent on the Christian. The Christian faith is dependent on Christ.
If my faith was dependent on me, it would fail; but my faith will never fail because its fulfillment is in Jesus alone.

The final thing I absolutely love about the faith we have in God through Christ is the Body.
In the New Testament, Christians are called 'the body of Christ.' We are instructed that every person within the Body has a different purpose and a different ministry. And when all are functioning within the Body as we are supposed to in the will of God - an amazing thing happens.
That amazing thing is called Unity.
If you have 100 pianos all tuned to the same tuning fork, it would mean those 100 pianos are also tuned perfectly with one another. When the Body of Christ is in tune individually with the Holy Spirit, we are also in tune with one another.
It's an amazing thing about having faith; we are all different and yet we are one because of the power of the Holy Spirit and the Lordship of Christ.
And as the Body is stronger in Christ, the members are healthier within the Church we serve.

Take my advice, never over complicate faith in the Lord; life is too short for that - just rest in Him and find His peace. It's not complicated, it is simple; believe, trust, obey. 

Until next time, go win one for the good guys.