Post # 104
St Augustine said that he believed so that he could begin to understand. St Anselm of Canterbury said that he did not try to understand in order that he could believe.
It seems that a lot of people today are unable to believe in something that is non physical; invisible, untouchable and beyond their powers of understanding. Scientists generally discount faith-based phenomena such as the creation story and other parts of the Bible which are believed to be inspired by God.
The Bible does tell us how we can begin to believe things that we can’t understand.
Luke 11:9-13, “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (World English Bible)
It is by the Holy Spirit that we gain the faith to believe in things we can’t normally understand.
Hebrews 11:1-6, “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. 2 For by this, the elders obtained testimony. 3 By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks. 5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God. 6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.”
Matthew 19:23-29, “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.’ 25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ 26 Looking at them, Jesus said, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ 27 Then Peter answered, ‘Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?’ 28 Jesus said to them, ‘Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.’ “
Luke 15:8-10, “Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.’ 10 Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
What is repentance?
Acts 2:38, “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ”
Repentance means to ask God for help to change from our old way of thinking, to turn from our naturally sinful ways, to accept Jesus as Messiah and to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in seeking his purpose for us.
Romans 2:4, “Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
Romans 12:1-3, “Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.”
Let us ask God to help us to realize that we cannot do spiritual works by our own will power, then our repentance will be genuine and there will be joy among the angels in heaven.
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