The foundation for faith in Christ

It seems that many people think the Christian faith is built on a “It is true because I believe it is” foundation. This appears to be especially true of those who reject the faith. Is the entire Christian faith built on a foundation of “just believe hard enough”? As in an objection I used to hear, “If you believe hard enough in this door knob it will do the same thing.” Is this true?

Absolutely, positively, No!

This immediately raises two very important questions:

1) What is the Christian faith based on?
2) What is the role of faith?

I’m sure one could write a book on this, but I only plan two brief posts! Yesterday I considered the first question, What is faith in Christ based on? You can read it here. Today, What is the role of faith?

I said yesterday the foundation for faith in Christ is fulfilled prophecy and the resurrection. How does faith fit in with this? Why do we need faith? The simple answer is, because we can’t see God and we were not eyewitnesses of the resurrection.

What is the role of faith? Faith is the key to a relationship with God:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Hebrews 11 says a lot about faith. The chapter opens with a definition of faith:

Faith is the confidence of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen

“Faith deals with things we cannot see. Faith relates to the invisible.

Two verses later, the writer again stressed faith’s relationship to the invisible:

"By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." (Hebrews 11:3)

The writer here pointed out a contrast between the things that are seen and the things that are not seen, between the visible and invisible. Our senses connect us to the visible world, to “what is seen.” But faith takes us behind the visible to the invisible.

Thus faith relates to two eternal, invisible realities: to God Himself and to His Word.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

This is contrary to our natural way of thinking. The world says, “Seeing is believing.” But the Bible reverses the order: First we must believe, then we will see.” (Derek Prince, Faith to Live By)

Actually we exercise faith all the time without thinking about it. A few examples:
(1) We see a video on the news of an event that happened somewhere else. We were not there; we did not see it in person; they tell us it happened at such and such a place and date, we don’t really know that; we don’t know if it has been edited or not, yet we accept the explanation. That’s faith.
(2) Someone offers to drive you to the store. You trust that they will safely maneuver the car through traffic. I know, that may take more faith with some people!
(3) Speaking of the store, Google says they open at 9 am, we don’t show up at 8 because we believe they open at 9.

I could offer a bucket full of examples, but the point is, we routinely exercise faith in every day life. So why is faith in Christ so difficult?

First, we can’t see Him, nor were we eyewitnesses of the resurrection. We are funny like that when it comes to the things of God. Second, faith in Christ is a wee bit different. Why? Because at its root it requires the admission that we have sinned. Oh not just a couple of mischievous things along the way, but rebelled against God and are now separated from Him; AND that we cannot rescue ourselves. The objection is often heard, “Why should I have to believe in Jesus to be saved (or forgiven or have eternal life)? Why can’t I just try to be a better person? This is so stupid.” The root of this is, “Why can’t I do this thing my own way?” This is the essence of sin – All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way. Faith in Christ demands that we turn from 'doing it our own way' and trust Jesus to be our Savior.

What is the foundation for faith in Christ? Is it, “It is true because I believe it is?” No. Faith in Christ is founded upon fulfilled prophecy and his resurrection from the dead. I invite you to search the Scriptures, see what it says about Jesus. Ask God to reveal the truth to your heart. Find a Christian and ask him to explain it to you. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.


And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This is the Christ - Jesus whom I proclaim to you." (Acts 17:2-3)