Dimensions of faith
For in the changing fortunes of life faith alone can keep us safe and sane,” is how I ended my last column on the subject of faith (Faith and the follower, Nov. 16). It is, however, worth exploring what faith exactly means.
Faith can be described as belief with strong conviction or a firm belief in something or someone for which there may be no tangible proof. Faith can be also described as the opposite of doubt. The Bible says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain
of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
While many believe that money is the most important constituent of a happy and peaceful life, I have a different view. I believe that it is faith which is the single-most essential component of life for believers, regardless of which religion they may belong to. The Bible explains that the source of our faith is God: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In our daily life, the word faith is sometimes used with reference to other things, which may not be necessarily connected to God, religion or our holy scriptures. For instance, we often speak of faith in our own potential, as sportspersons do about their ability to win a bout or medal.
Another definition of faith is “a religion or system of religious beliefs”. Again faith or trust in a friend or relative would mean something different from our faith in God. This difference is not limited to the fact of the physical visibility of a friend or person and the corporal invisibility of God. The big difference and something basic and crucial, as the Bible would say, is that God is always faithful even when we are not faithful to Him. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands” (Deuteronomy 7:9). Again it is mentioned, “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
The fantastic thing about faith in God is that however we might behave with Him or in whatever terms we may think of Him, He always remains faithful. He never lets us down. It does not of course mean that one has the licence to keep ignoring God’s commandments in one’s life. But if we believe deep in our hearts that God is always faithful and forgiving, there is no chance that we would betray Him or go against His words. Let us then remember to hold on to God tighter in faith than we hold on to anything or anyone else.
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