Is 'faith' enough?

[Classik]

I do not mean to sound strange with this new post. I need clarification.

Is 'faith' enough?
Is 'faith'/'belief' enough?
Is 'faith' enough to convince us of the existence of God, creationism, the truth that the bible is the word of God etc.? To some People, it is YES, and to others it is not enough, or there is no such thing as 'faith'. Some others are undecided. This particular category of people think we are deluded when we say we believe by 'faith'.

What is faith?

* Complete belief in something for which there is no proof.

* Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

* Heb.11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I am tempted to say: 'faith' is not enough to 'convince' an individual who does not believe the existence of God that God exists. Creationism, to him, is not enough. Then how could we convince People of what we believe? Some who believe keep looking for conviction. When they see none they simply withdraw.

Is miracle our conviction? People never believed Christ until He had performed miracles. Even some who had witnessed His miracles had refused to believe. So, is it right to say conviction (through miracles) precedes 'faith'?

There are some who strongly believe, and at the same time applying faith. They are living testimonies. There are some who are not sure of their belief or faith. Even some of us who say they have faith are not convinced that 'faith' is enough.
And for the purpose of such people whose faith or belief are weak and those who have not believed yet, could we suggest something? Take a look:

Mark6:49-52
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves:for their heart was hardened.


It seemed here that Christ purposeful performed the wonders to convince His disciples. Look at verse 52 again.

See another account:
Mathew14
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.
28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it isYou, command me to come to You on the water.
29 So He said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me!
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God.


It is seen, from verse 30 that Peter lost his faith. He was no longer relying upon 'faith' - but rather had sought a physical conviction.

Verses 32 and 33 also seem to suggest that the other People had doubted Him before - and had only believed when they saw a miracles, The wind ceased...

After it, those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God.

A similar case is that of the centurion with the other. Look at the book of Mathew27.
Mathew27
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God!



Seeing the earthquake and the resurrection of the saints and all that happened, the centurion and the rest believed.

The questions now are:
1. As christians, do we need physical convictions to build our 'faith' and 'belief' in God. Or is faith enough?
2. Do we need signs to convince unbelievers today - and not only tell them, 'believe', 'have faith'?
3. Does faith without conviction (before unbelievers) make us appear deluded?
4. Would conviction not make people believe us more than just asking them to believe or apply faith?
5. Should conviction through signs and faith exist?


...And at the last days many false prophets shall rise...and deceive many...

 

[WIP]

Can we have faith in God without the Holy Spirit? And then, if by the Holy Spirit, wouldn't faith be enough?

 

[childeye]

Classik;570205]The questions now are:
1. As christians, do we need physical convictions to build our 'faith' and 'belief' in God. Or is faith enough?
2. Do we need signs to convince unbelievers today - and not only tell them, 'believe', 'have faith'?
3. Does faith without conviction (before unbelievers) make us appear deluded?
4. Would conviction not make people believe us more than just asking them to believe or apply faith?
5. Should conviction through signs and faith exist?


...And at the last days many false prophets shall rise...and deceive many...

Question 1, some people need physical events seen with their own eyes and some do not. This question does not account for defining what the term belief is pertaining to. If it is about believing there is a God, miracles will be applicable. If it is pertaining to the belief that Love is eternal the Christ has been provided, but not necessary for those who already knew.
2, This is almost the same question. I would answer that saying have faith is not enough without explaining what that faith is pertaining to. Faith comes by hearing and the Holy Spirit draws a man.
3. Of course it does, because faith without conviction is without a purpose.
4. I get the feeling I might be misunderstanding how you are applying the term conviction. Conviction is being convinced that Love is eternal, or convinced one is a sinner, and Faith is trusting and therefore walking in that Love that is Godly as seen at the cross.
5. I'm sure it does, but this does not mean that signs are necessary for conviction, unless you regard the Holy Spirit as a sign.

 

[Classik]

some people need physical events seen with their own eyes and some do not. This question does not account for defining what the term belief is pertaining to. If it is about believing there is a God, miracles will be applicable.

The belief in God is where the problem is. I told a friend about God. He said, I am deluded. I concealed my sadness. He went on to say, If I claim He exists, who made Him? Unless they see Something extraordinary (and like you have stated) they would not believe. No wonder why Christ started with miracles and signs

I get the feeling I might be misunderstanding how you are applying the term conviction. Conviction is being convinced that Love is eternal, or convinced one is a sinner, and Faith is trusting and therefore walking in that Love that is Godly as seen at the cross

**4. Would conviction not make people believe us more than just asking them to believe or apply faith?**



That was my original question.
My lecturere narrated his encounter to us. That was several years ago. He said he only came to believe God and christianity when God saved him From a python. He said the python was heading towards him to attack him. There was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. He had remained stationary waiting for the python to launch an attack on him. he Neither had a gun nor a matchet. But one thing he had but never knew about. He uttered an expression, 'The blood of JESUS'. Immediately, the python retreated - and fled Forever. That was how he became a christian today - for he proved Something in that Name.
He always says, 'Brandish a gun on me, I won't renounce Christ - you will end of pulling the trigger' he means he has solidified in his believe in Christ through that experience.

 

[childeye]

=Classik;570344]

**4. Would conviction not make people believe us more than just asking them to believe or apply faith?**



That was my original question.
My lecturere narrated his encounter to us. That was several years ago. He said he only came to believe God and christianity when God saved him From a python. He said the python was heading towards him to attack him. There was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. He had remained stationary waiting for the python to launch an attack on him. he Neither had a gun nor a matchet. But one thing he had but never knew about. He uttered an expression, 'The blood of JESUS'. Immediately, the python retreated - and fled Forever. That was how he became a christian today - for he proved Something in that Name.
He always says, 'Brandish a gun on me, I won't renounce Christ - you will end of pulling the trigger' he means he has solidified in his believe in Christ through that experience.

Yes Classik, I would call what you describe as conviction. I must admit that there was a time in my life I too needed a miracle and I got one.

 

[elijah23]

If we sin, we get ourselves into trouble. We must have faith, but we also need to repent of our sin.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Heb.11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

That is the BIBLICAL DEFINITION of faith. Case closed.

"I am tempted to say: 'faith' is not enough to 'convince' an individual who does not believe the existence of God that God exists. Creationism, to him, is not enough."

The sentence makes no sense. what does "Creationism" have to do with "Faith" - AND - You TOLD US what faith was by citing Hebrews 1.

YOU told us that it was the "Substance" (reality) of what we "hope" for - so OBVIOUSLY one who has "Faith" is already Convinced of the REALITY of God. If he wasn't - there would be no "Faith" - period. YOU also told us that Faith is the EVIDENCE (which proves the existence of) the thing that's "Not Seen".

SO Biblical Faith can never be "Not Enough", and conversely if it what YOU CALL "Faith" isn't enough, then it's not "Faith" at all. Simple as that.

"how could we convince People of what we believe?"

Simple - you can't. Only the Holy Spirit can work in a persons life to "Convince them of anything.

"The questions now are:
1. As christians, do we need physical convictions to build our 'faith' and 'belief' in God. Or is faith enough?"

Not sure what you think "Physical convictions" are. But FAITH is only operational in cases where there IS NO "Physical Evidence". And Biblical faith is ALWAYS sourced by the WORD of God, whether directly TO you, or through the written Word made "alive" to you, or both.

"2. Do we need signs to convince unbelievers today - and not only tell them, 'believe', 'have faith'?"

Sure - "Signs" are sometimes helpful in "Getting their attention" initially so that they're "open" for the Holy Spirit to "Drive it home". Jesus used "Signs", and since we're in the same business He was, then a similar approach shouldn't be unexpected.

"3. Does faith without conviction (before unbelievers) make us appear deluded?"

There's no such thing as "Faith without conviction". only folks who SAY they have "Faith", and really don't.

"4. Would conviction not make people believe us more than just asking them to believe or apply faith?"

IF you're talking about "Holy Spirit Conviction of SIN" then that IS why people would believe us WITHOUT us asking them to. It's also the Beginning of "Faith" for folks on whom the Holy Spirit is "Moving".

"5. Should conviction through signs and faith exist?"

There's no "Should" there, of course. Some folks ARE convicted of Sin by a "Sign" (In my case the "Look" on a man's face - that showed me that it was "REAL"). That didn't do the "Whole job", of course, but DID "Get the ball rolling" big time. And he never had to say a word -

 

[Classik]

Interesting!
I have some friends at home and across the globe who are fed up with Christianity. The first post is a reflection of their feelings and difficulties.
It is indeed the Holy Spirit that does this great work in our lives - He tells us He is still with us.

I was once like them, and had asked similar questions. That was when I felt God has stopped caring.
This is not just a forums - I see it as a fellowship - a church.
So, it is better when we accumulate other biblical encouragement from other christians so as to help the ones who are begging to backside.

And when we look at their sorrows, anxieties and difficulties we tend to wonder if we are not being strange - or lying to our spirits. But God is our hope.

One of them dissaccociated himself from fellowship for close to a year. Why? He says he needs to take care of his problems. He has justifiable his action. We all have met him and have tried encouraging him in the LORD.
'God is okay with me!' he had told us.
But how would God be fine with a guy who has locked Him outside his life? Thank God he is beginning to peep back into the house of God again.

Another fellow lost the wife and forgot God.
Another has gone into corruption - thinking the bible prevents him from making financial progress.
Another does not believe in God. He is a friend. I do not know where to begin. All he talks about is 'proof'. It is as if to say: if your God does not do this...then I won't do that. And When 'this' does not come they simply run

They are indeed many. When I look into their arguments I get the feeling they are saying: Aren't we deluded? Does it have to do with the end-time?

Our business is to help encourage one another in the love of the Most High God. Some of them quote the bible more than we do...but why are they in doubt?

We need more of our fellowship and encouragemental to strengthen us all.