Bible Basics: The Function of Faith
When we investigate “Bible basics,” faith occupies a huge area of consideration and importance. Faith begins with the understanding of facts, ideas, and concepts. Obviously, faith arises out of hearing, seeing, and knowing certain things. Many people know that there must be a God. They observe and see the amazing creation that surrounds us, and they rightly conclude that there must be a divine creator. While this is a good idea, it is a bit shallow to be called Biblical faith. The writer of the book of Hebrews says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) What is this faith that God rewards and how is this faith seen?
Take a journey with me to the Old Testament. Let us ponder the story of Jonah. Jonah was a prophet of God who served during the reign of King Jeroboam II in the mid-700s B.C. Jonah was called to go and preach judgment to the people of Nineveh (the capital city of the Assyrians). This journey would have been around 550 miles from Israel to Nineveh. To make such a journey would be a challenging multi-week trek. In response to God’s command, Jonah booked a boat to Tarshish, which was 2,500 miles in the opposite direction. Jonah refused to obey God and preach to the Assyrians. It is here that we see that good, Biblical faith is more than superficial knowledge. Obviously, Jonah knew that God was real. Remember, Jonah was a prophet for God. Practicing and having Biblical faith is the condition where one is controlled by the promises and instructions of God instead of one’s own feelings, preconceptions, or impressions. Biblical faith is where I submit to God’s will and not my own will. The Book of Jonah is a testimony about surrender to God. It appears that Jonah wrote the book that bears his name to detail his story about turning from faithlessness to faithfulness.
As we examine Jonah’s story, we see his up-and-down journey of faith. Jonah chapter 1 speaks about Jonah receiving God’s commission to preach and Jonah’s rebellion. Jonah viewed the Assyrians with great hatred and loathing. The Assyrians were the dominant Empire of their day. They were hated by nearly all the nations they conquered or intimidated. One would think that Jonah would jump at the chance to go and preach about God’s judgment and punishment to the Assyrians. So, why did Jonah refuse to obey God? The answer is given in the book of Jonah. In it we read that Jonah would ultimately repent and obey God. He would go and announce God’s coming destruction to the king and the inhabitants of Nineveh. After the people and the king of the Assyrians heard Jonah’s message, they repented. Their king reasoned that perhaps God would see their contrition and relent of the coming disaster. The result was that God did show mercy to the wicked Assyrians. When Jonah saw that destruction was not coming on the Assyrians, he was furious with God. Jonah 4:2-3 recounts Jonah’s angry conversation with God, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
Jonah wanted his way. Jonah knew much about God. Jonah understood that God was a gracious and forgiving God. It is obvious that Jonah had accumulated much information about God. However, when Jonah refused to do God's will and submit to God’s instructions, he was not walking in Biblical faith. Many people will give intellectual assent to God. They will acknowledge that He exists, but they will not serve Him. They might have some information in their mind and heart, but there is not any Biblical faith.
Today is the first of several conversations that are needed about the basics of faith. We need to consider how we are reacting to the truth of God’s greatness. Will we change our way of living and thinking when we come to grips with the great, life-changing promises of God? These are essentials in developing Biblical faith. Keep looking up!