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The Faith That Comes From Knowing.
By Carl R. Dillenback
John Denver turned to George Burns with a puzzled and perplexing look on his young wide-eyed face. “If I tell people I’ve been talking to you they’ll think I’m crazy” he said almost hysterically.
“Don’t worry, you can handle it,” came the stoic reply from the grizzled veteran actor. “Besides, you have the faith that comes from knowing.”
That scene is, of course, from the classic motion picture, “OH, GOD.” Although flawed in many ways theologically, the picture nonetheless addresses some very interesting spiritual questions, and provides the answers to those questions with surprising accuracy. If you have never seen the movie, or haven’t seen it in a long time, check it out at your local video store. I think you will enjoy it.
The question of faith and knowledge is a valid one. Abraham trusted God even with the life of his son, Isaac. Isaac was the only means by which God could have fulfilled his promises to Abraham, yet he was fully prepared to sacrifice him (Gen. 21 & 22). The paths of the Apostles is a fascinating story of men who endured untold hardships and suffered unto death to spread the work of Jesus Christ and the good news of the Kingdom of God (the accounts of the Apostles can be found in John Fox’s “Book of Christian Martyrs”). All of these had the faith that comes from knowing. They knew God, they had walked and talked with God, and so when it came time to be tested they may have fumbled a little bit from time to time, but they did not fall.
So, what is this thing called faith? The Bible defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for (Romans 11:1). Webster has several definitions, one of which is, “trust or confidence in a person or thing.” Another is, “belief which is not based on proof.”
I like the former definition, I do not like the latter. Why? Because it is my firm conviction and belief that faith without knowledge is nothing more than a wish.
It has no more substance than a puff of smoke, and it falls apart at its first trial. I have met a lot of people in my life who have boasted and gone to great lengths to tell me how much they love the Lord. But, for the most part, the vast majority of them know next to nothing about Him. They know nothing about His birth, His family life, His upbringing, His education, what He thought, what He taught, the society in which He grew up, His values and beliefs as a Jew, etc. etc. That’s an awful lot not to know about someone you claim to love, don’t you think? How can you love God and know next to nothing about him? Answer, you can’t. You may want to, or you may think you do, but you don’t. You can’t.
Make no mistake about it, loving God and having faith in God are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other.
Well then, how is it possible to acquire the “faith that comes from knowing” when none of us has ever seen God or spoken to Him? None of us has ever spent hours conversing with God. None of us saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, heal a deformed person, or Himself rise from the dead on that 3rd day. How can we have that special faith that leaps over stumbling blocks and endures even unto the end?
The great stumbling block to faith is ignorance. That is so important that I will say it again. The great stumbling block to faith is ignorance. Pure and simple. Ignorance is caused, for our purposes here, by a failure to see what is plainly under our noses, caused by a careless inability on our part to observe and hence, to learn. In this day and age there simply is no excuse for the kind of ignorance that prevails in our society toward God. Virtually everyone can read, and bibles are in abundant supply. If you can’t afford one, there are a hundred sources available to you where you can get one for free. That includes this web site. For that matter, all you need is a cheap tape recorder for the entire bible is available on cassette. Proving the existence of God to anyone with an open mind on the subject is not a difficult project given the tremendous amounts of information on the subject available today (we will explore that subject in depth in subsequent articles). No one today needs to take anyone else’s word for what the bible says or doesn not say. No one needs to wonder whether or not God exists, or what His purposes for mankind are. They are plainly recorded for all to see. If you have neglected this vital portion of your life, the time to start to rectify that situation is now.
So, how do we acquire this special faith, this faith that comes from knowing? Is it enough just to study your Bible? Don’t get me wrong. Bible study is a vital key to learning and understanding God and his purpose. It is where we must start. But, grasping biblical concepts intellectually is just flat, not enough. There must be more if we are to have this wonderful faith that comes from knowing.
When I was a young soldier in the United States Army, I volunteered for and, (in the manner which usually happens in the army when you volunteer for something, especially Air Borne School) I was sent to undergo basic parachute training at Fort Devens, Massachuesetts. There I underwent a very arduious schedule of physical and psychological training designed to prepare me for the day when I would be required to jump from an airplane at 1200 feet with just a few pounds of silk on my back. I studied theory, I was given statistics designed to convince me how safe it was, I jumped in a harness from a 35 foot tower, I saw movies, listened to lectures, etc. etc. I was educated.
All that not withstanding, when the day came to actually jump, I was terrified. When I boarded that C-130 and watched the huge cargo door close, sealing us all inside the belly of that craft, I was sure I was witnessing the last few moments of my life. Next came the roar of engines, the jerking of the plane as it lifted off, the steep banking turns and the stony, sweat soaked faces of those condemned to die with me. Suddenly there was a blast of air and sunlight as the side doors were opened. The roar inside the plane was deafening. The Jump Master stood in front of us
“Stand up”, he shouted. We all stood up. “Hook up”, he shouted a second time making the appropriate gesture. We all took our static line hooks and buckled them to the long rig cable which ran the length of the craft. Then came the command I had long dreaded. “STAND IN THE DOOR!” The next thing I knew the jump light had changed from red to green, a horrible buzzer sounded in my ears, somebody shouted, “GO!!!” And I was gone.
My second jump was even worse than the first because, I now had a terrifying experience to relate to, which I didn’t have on the first jump. But, as time went on, and I got more and more jumps under my belt, I not only lost my fear of jumping but, I couldn’t believe that the Army was actually paying me money to have all this fun.
Why? What was the difference? It was faith. I had learned that all the schooling that I had received and the education I had been given was valid. My equipment was the best in the world, and that the people who were responsible for my safety were well trained and really did care.
It was a faith that I had acquired step by step, through education, consistently dependable people, tested consistency of experiences, and a familiarization that came from knowing the predictable outcome IN ADVANCE.
Faith in God is achieved the same way. Read the third chapter of Malachi, especially note verse 10. I know this chapter specifically refers to tithing, but the principle applies to all of God’s promises. Remember, God’s promises are a constant challenge to His character. Either He means what He says or He is lying. God wants you to know that He is trustworthy. He wants you to try Him. It is the only way you will be able to acquire the faith that God wants you to have, and that is God’s challenge to you.
The first step in all of this, is yours. You must keep His Commandments (John 14:15). To do that, you have to know what His commandments are. That’s where reading and studying your Bible comes in. You have to know what God expects from you. Then you have to make an effort to do them. When you do, both God and Christ will enter into you via the Holy Spirit and take up residence in you (John 14:20-23).
Why is it done this way? Why is the first move up to you? Well, heat comes from a stove AFTER you have put in the fuel and lighted it, doesn’t it? Don’t wages come after you have done the work required? Are you clean before you take a shower?
No, reward ALWAYS comes after the effort.
James said, “Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26).” In reality, faith without works is no faith at all. Which is actually what James was saying. Faith is a living thing. It must have deeds to live and be real. When you step out to put God to the test by doing what is required of you (the result of education in God’s word), you have already acquired practical knowledge that is useful in all phases of your life. That will lead to dependable conduct, which will have predictable results. That will give you confidence. With confidence you can build a relationship with God, which will inspire loyalty. Loyalty leads to admiration (respect, or fear in the King James tradition, if you like) towards God. Admiration will lead you to faith, which in turn, leads you to love. Now you have the courage in the face of adversity because you have acquired the faith that is grounded in steadfast love (Eph 3:16-19).
Easier said than done? Yes. But, it is doable, nonetheless, even though it will probably take you a lifetime to achieve. Is it worth the effort? You bet it is.
Remember, Faith and knowledge will give you a positive attitude. A positive attitude will enable you to have courage, and your courage will produce deeds, which is the testimony of your faith (James 2:18).
Remember, also, Faith IS knowledge, knowledge IS power, and power IS control. Hence, you will “know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).”
Any questions? Comments? Contact Carl Dillenback at Dutchmen3@aol.com
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