So, this idea has been mulling around in my head all week long; what is the difference between faith and belief?
I mean practically, what distinguishes the two from each other?
Because, quite honestly, I think I have been grouping them in the same category for quite some time.
But I read over and over again that people were healed because of their faith.
The one distinguishing characteristic that was brought to my mind this week was action. You can believe that nothing is impossible for God, but does that believe change your life? Your prayer life? Your peace of mind?
You can believe that God hears your prayers, but how quickly do you add that "sometimes His answer is no" or "sometimes His will is not the same as our desires"?
But it seems to me that if you have faith it requires some kind of risk, or action to be taken.
Perhaps belief is the prerequiste to faith...
What has challenged me, quite intensely, this week is the idea that I am not sure what action or risk my faith envokes in me.
I believe God hears me when I cry out to Him. I believe He loves me. I believe His word is true. I believe Jesus died for my sins.
But how often when I pray, do I KNOW that God will answer my prayer. How often do I act as though I am loved by the Creator, thwarting off importance or significance of others attitudes or feelings?
I believe God hears my prayers for a godly man. But until this week there has always been this hesitation in my spirit, like what if He wants me to be single all my life?
But you see I think this is where the difference between belief and faith comes in to play.
Faith says, I know God WILL answer my prayer for a godly husband. I KNOW He will because I am confident He hears and answers the cries of His children.
What do you believe the difference between faith and believing is? Is God calling you to faith in something you are comfortable simply believing?
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Faith versus believing...
Posted by Ashlee Liddell at 8:12 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I can honestly say that I have never thought about this before...but it is an interesting thought. It seems to me that belief isn't what matters to God - even the demons believe in God. It seems like it's never a question of belief, it's always a question of faith. And since faith without works is dead, you're right that faith requires action. After all, how many people do we each know who claim to believe in God, but who don't live by faith?
I'm not sure this makes much sense...I'll have to think about it some more.
I always love these types of blog entries for two reasons: 1) I like the challenge it presents and 2) I love the conviction....
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word "belief" is defined as: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing. "Faith" is described as: firm belief in something for which there is no proof.
So according to their definitions, you are correct in assuming that belief IS a prerequisite to faith. In order for faith to be relevant, a belief within that faith must first belief established.
Let me put it in a more "elementary" example (and often well used):
I, personally, will NEVER skydive. It just won't ever happen. I'd sooner root for the University of Texas against Duke in the NCAA Championship game than skydive. I'm THAT adamant about it.
Yet, it's not because I do not believe I'd be safe in the long run. I BELIEVE that, overall, it's a pretty safe thing to do (at least according to statistics). I BELIEVE that the plane will take off safely. I BELIEVE that my chute will be fully functional and deploy without error. I BELIEVE that I would land safe and sound.
I just don't have enough FAITH in them to actually do it.
You're right when you say faith takes action or risk. An action or risk must take place in the example above in order to change my already existing belief (prerequisite) into faith.
For your situation, maybe the risk lies in having faith that God very well may be calling you to a life of solitude with Him (although I, personally, doubt it).
It's perfectly okay to lean on the "sometimes His answer is no" or "sometimes His will is not the same as our desires". It's not necessarily an easy cop-out.
I have friends that "BELIEVE" in God, but don't have enough faith to accept what He wants for them. They fail to put their belief in action, not by "doing" something, but rather by not LISTENING. Listening is very much an action as well.
I truly believe some of our most failed attempts at putting our faith into action lies in simply not listening.
Let me know if this makes sense. Sorry if it doesn't....
But Josh, that is just what I always do...well, maybe God is calling me to singleness...and in fact, isn't that negating my faith in Him answering my prayers?
This entry is less about that example than it is about the concept, which I loved some of your insight into.
My question now is why are we so quick to make concessions for our lack of faith? We justify away true belief in His and His power so quickly....is it because we sound crazy if we don't? or is it simply because we don't believe?
first of all, we must all recognize that we are human...we are not God and therefore, the lack of belief and/or faith we all inevitably experience is normal. now, i am, by no means, justifying that lack, however, i do think it is important to realize that God can use those times in our lives when we do lack belief/faith in order for our belief/faith to be strengthened. does that make sense?
second of all, ashlee, i totally understand about the desire versus belief/faith and that God will fulfill that desire. it can be frustrating in all aspects of life. i do like how duke fan (josh?) defined the words through the skydive illustration. belief in something is much easier than having faith in something. i tend to think that belief is more fact based...as in, here are the facts...do you believe or not? where faith is more trust based...as in, here is what i'm offering, do you trust that it is the right thing for you?
i don't know. it's a fine line. one that i struggle with as well. do i believe that God will provide for me? yes, absolutely. BUT, do i have the faith to be okay in what and how He provides for me? not necessarily...because it may not be what i want or like.
so maybe faith is more of the internal struggle of accepting God's desires and plans for us. i don't know...
Josh, I love the skydiving example. That helps me clarify a little better what I was saying. In the end, it doesn't matter whether or not you believe in the safety of skydiving - you're not going to go because you don't have faith in it. I agree with Terri, that belief applies more to facts. (Which really, in the end it doesn't matter if you believe in a fact or not, it just is.) I think that applies to Christianity - it doesn't matter if you believe in God, because God is. I would redefine a Christian as someone who acts on the knowledge of the existence of God and salvation through Jesus; namely, someone who has faith.
If that's the case, I think it would be impossible for us to be lukewarm Christians. And I think we might look crazy for the things that we have faith in God for. But another component of that has to be that we have faith in God first, and faith that He will answer our particular prayer secondly. Our faith in God is not going to look the same every day of our lives. Maybe the difference between belief and faith is the difference between milk and meat.
I had fitful sleep last night. I awoke in the middle of the night thinking about the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18). I realize she was asking for protection against her adversaries, but I think we can apply it to what you are talking about. She kept asking and asking and asking and finally it was granted to her. She obviously had faith that her request would be granted. I also think that she had to have been pretty bold to keep coming back.......I wish I was that bold.
Cara, there is so much insight into what you said about the persistent widow. Don't you think God is pleased by our continual and consistent prayer? Everytime we boldly step before Him, especially with the same request, we are reminded of His power and His desire to be an active part of our lives. And with each plea, we place our hearts, perhaps more of our faith, at His feet.
Post a Comment