(Read Hebrews 11 & John 1:46-49)
I was listening to one of the world’s most popular podcast hosts interview a Christian “Intelligent Design” author the other day. The host is notorious for questioning Christianity and Christian pundits on his show, so I expected nothing less. However, I was so frustrated by the host’s line of questioning that I came close to throwing something through my computer screen. I didn’t, of course, because I would be cleaning up the mess and paying for it. But I was definitely feeling angry.
The tipping point for me was when the host kept dismissing the Christian guest’s religious beliefs as simply “good-natured humanity.” He attributed all Christian principles to social justice, goodwill, and community benevolence and claimed that Christians behave in a certain way because they are conditioned to do so. He argued that everyone wants to do what is good, right, and hope for the best and that this is the basis for all human morality. I found this to be a very simplistic and reductionist view of Christianity, and I felt that he was missing the target by a mile.
Why do I regularly listen to this entertainer? Because he has great guests and interesting topics. When I can separate his religious views from the show’s content, it’s great background noise for my work day. It challenges me and ultimately refines my views as a believer.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1 is a foundational verse in the Bible that defines faith. The word “faith” in this verse comes from the Greek word pistis, which means “trust” or “belief.” Faith is trust in God and His promises. It is the assurance that what we hope for is real, even though we cannot see, hear, touch, or taste it. Our Christian lives are built like the foundation of a house. Just as a house cannot be built without a foundation, so our hope cannot be built without faith.
Unlike fingers-crossed wishing or hope, this passage paints faith as a conviction and the writer of Hebrews implies that faith allows believers to have a deep conviction or certainty in the existence of things that may not be tangible in our physical realm. It goes beyond empirical evidence and relies on trust in God and His perfect character.
Most good causes stem from positive ideologies rather than selfish ambitions. Seeing kindness in our world is encouraging, even when not centered around Christian ideals. But doing what’s right, scoring points, and hoping for great outcomes differs significantly from Christ-filled faith.
Faith and hope are related but uniquely different. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is essentially a guarantee, promise, or confident pledge of what we hope for. It’s not some wistful, wind-driven passing thought; faith is core to every believer’s life looking towards an ultimate fulfillment according to God’s plan in His kingdom. The central role of faith in the Christian life calls on the importance of trust, confidence, and conviction in God and His promises, especially when circumstances may seem uncertain or unseen. Faith enables believers to look beyond the present and hold onto the hope of what will come.
Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Hebrews 11:12-13
Faith is a journey, not a destination. The Old Testament saints did not receive the promise of entering into the Promised Land, but God still commended them for their faith. This shows us that faith is not about getting what we want but trusting God through all our trials.
I have had an intensely busy week at work. No matter my efforts and attempts to out-maneuver my schedule, nothing helped. Not enough sleep, poor diet, and crankiness brought me to my knees the other morning. Realizing my helplessness to change anything, I surrendered to God, asking Him to help. I prayed for Him to take my burden or at least ease it. I didn’t know if or when things would change from that point, but I let it go. I presented my fears and anxiety to God and let my faith in Him take care of the rest. Things changed that day. There were no miracles, but I felt the change around me and within me. That’s why we pray. That’s what faith does to and for us.
That afternoon, the verses in Hebrews were coming off the pages, shouting at me, telling me that God is always working for our good. Even if things hadn’t changed that day, my faith gives me hope in God’s reliable promises, no matter when they will be fulfilled. Like a flashlight, the light of my faith allowed me to see the bigger picture despite the darkness.
Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
John 1:46-48
Introduced by the apostle Philip, Nathanael wasn’t sure if Jesus was the One anticipated by the Law and the Prophets. He skeptically asked if “anything good can come out of Nazareth?” Ultimately, Jesus’ words put Nathanael at ease and convinced him. From that point forward, Nathanael was a believer.
Would I have believed if I were in Nathanael’s shoes? I’d love to say yes. Jesus answered Nathanael’s expectation of the Messiah and told him of the glory that awaited him in heaven. Jesus showed Nathanael much in this conversation. He showed His divine knowledge and insight as the Omniscient Son of God. The fact that Jesus mentioned Nathanael under the fig tree might have implied that Jesus knew about his private thoughts or prayers.
Our faith should prepare us always to be ready to encounter God on the most unexpected occasions. Tim Keller wrote, “Jesus knew Nathanael before Philip ever introduced them. He knew his heart, his desires, his dreams. He knew his doubts and fears. And he knew his potential. Jesus saw Nathanael as he really was, and he loved him anyway. That’s what grace is. It’s not getting what we deserve. It’s getting what we don’t deserve. It’s God loving us even when we don’t deserve it.”
Most likely, Nathanael felt unworthy of Jesus’ recognition. Despite his doubts, warts, and fears, Jesus loved him anyway, in the same way, He loves us despite our failings. That is the message of grace. Nathanael went on to become an apostle. His faith was not a blind leap into the dark but a confident step forward based on his knowledge of God and character.
Upon writing this devotional, I thought back to the podcast that enraged me so much. I thought of the worldly misconceptions of true Christianity. I thought about how many view faith as just another lens for hope. Faith is not wishful thinking or a one-time event; it’s a lifelong journey of trusting God and essential for our relationship with Him. Consider how faith brought change to Nathanael’s life after that moment with Jesus. How has your life changed since you believed?
As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
Key Applications:
- Nathanael was skeptical of Jesus because He was from Nazareth, and we often do the same thing. We should be careful not to judge others based on their outward appearance or their past. We should be willing to trust God. Nathanael was amazed when Jesus told him that He knew him. His faith opened his eyes to see that while he had never met Jesus before, he trusted that Jesus knew him. Are we willing to trust God, even when we do not understand His ways?
- Living our lives by faith. Are our fears or doubts holding us back from following God’s leading? When we are making decisions, PRAY about it, seek God’s guidance, and trust that He will lead us in the right way. When we are witnessing to others, we should share our own stories of faith and encourage them to trust God.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.