What is Faith
October 25, 2009
by Steven Deaton

Many in the world – both secular and denominational – think faith is an ambiguous belief in something that cannot be proven. Because of this, people who have faith are viewed as believing in far-fetch things; things that lack real proof. It is sad that many people in denominations have bought into this idea, because it is totally false.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, NASB). True faith is based on evidence. “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). There are things we believe because of the evidence given in God’s word.

Think about this. How do we know Washington crossed the Delaware? There is no video footage or even a picture. No one alive can tell us about the events, not even Washington. There is no scientific evidence, no formula that proves the crossing. So, what do we have? We have testimony. We have the accounts that were written near the time of the event. These accounts are preserved for us today. The same is true for the adventures of Alexander The Great, Hannibal, and Caesar. We know about their lives, their words, and their deeds from written evidence. In fact, what we know about history is based chiefly on what was written long ago. Archeology serves to buttress the written evidence, it helps clarify some things, but by itself it does little to help our understanding of the past.

The Bible is written evidence of real events in times past. It claims to be a revelation from God. When tested, it is the most accurate, reliable, and best preserved set of ancient documents. It is better attested than any other historical writings which men accept as true.

A Christian’s faith is not based on fantasy or wishful thinking. Rather, it is based on evidence; chiefly writings, that are supported by archeology, science, and other writings. Do not buy into the notion that faith is belief without proof. It is not. It is a well-grounded conviction; otherwise it is not faith, but myth.

The Difficulty of Repentance
by Joe R. Price

It is hard to repent. Not surprisingly, repentance does not get a great deal of attention from religionists who are more concerned with numbers or with scratching itching ears than with the conversion of souls. After all, when you start talking about repentance you have to bring up the “s” word – sin. That turns off many folks. Sin is being stricken from our vocabulary in this age of self-absorption and personal satisfaction. Nevertheless, Jesus spoke of sin and of repentance, saying that “unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk. 13:3, 5). It is fundamental to the gospel that sinners who do not repent will remain lost in their sin. So, it is to our benefit to know what repentance is as well as why it can be so difficult.

Repent is the English word used to translate the Greek word metanoeo, derived from meta (“with”, a preposition of accompaniment, Strong) and noieo (“to exercise the mind, observe, consider, perceive, think, understand”, Thayer). To repent means to change one’s mind, hence, to think differently. This change of thinking results in changed conduct. For instance, with John preached repentance he also taught his audience to “bear the fruits worthy of repentance” (Lk. 3:8, 10-14). The effect of a sinner changing his mind to think differently about his sin will prompt the cessation of his sin as well as obedience to the will of God.

Why is it so difficult to repent? Here are some reasons we learn from God’s word:

1) Repentance is difficult because it requires humility of heart. Pride hinders repentance because it renders the heart hard and desensitized to the guilt of sin (cf. Heb. 3:13). Pride hinders acknowledging our sins to ourselves, to those we sin against and to God. Pride prevents us from accepting that we have sinned against God – even when God’s word clearly reveals our sin (Rom. 3:23). It was pride that prevented many from repenting when they heard John preach the word of God. He warned them of their pride which said “We have Abraham as our father” (Lk. 3:8; cf. Jn. 8:33). They were confident in spite of refusing to repent. Until the heart is humble before God one will not repent of his sins.

When king David arrogantly tried to hide his sins it led to even more sin (2 Sam. 11; Psa. 32:3-4). Repentance involves a change of heart from pride to humility – a change that willingly confesses the presence of sin in one’s life. David obtained God’s forgiveness when his mind changed from pride to humility – when he repented (Psa. 32:5). We can learn from David not to stubbornly and proudly “be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding” (Psa. 32:9). We must humble ourselves in order to truly repent.

2) Repentance is difficult because it requires a radical change in our thinking and behavior. The unrepentant are content to continue committing sin. Consequently, they do not repent “of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Rev. 9:21). The light of the gospel exposes sinful conduct and calls us to change the way we think about sin in general and our sin in specific. Only when we change how we think about our values, our desires and our goals will we truly bear the fruit of changed conduct. When we change our heart’s attitudes and thoughts we will begin to put away sin and no longer let it rule over our emotions, our attitudes and our actions (Rom. 6:6-14).

In 1 Peter 4:1-3, the Holy Spirit teaches us to live “for the will of God” by having the “same mind” as Christ, who suffered in the flesh to do the will of God. Only with the mind of Christ will we refuse the “lusts of men” with its “lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries”. The difficulty in repentance is not only in ceasing such sinful activities, but especially in changing the mind so we no longer desire the sinful conduct.

3) Repentance is difficult because it requires sacrifice. Repentance means we must give up our sin. Most believe that is too great a price to pay, and so they pay for their transgressions with their souls (Matt 16:26). The unloving must give up their selfishness, the greedy must give up their lack of contentment, and the violent must give up their intimidation of the innocent (Lk. 3:10-14). Whatever sin is ruling us, whatever sinful lust is driving us, it must be completely abandoned in order to do the will of God. Otherwise, we will not repent and we will remain lost in sin.

God commands all people to repent because He will judge us (Acts 17:30-31). God wants you to be saved. Therefore, “repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin” (Ezek. 18:30).

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