Concord Minute: Faith defined

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” - Hebrews 11:1

Forbearance in waiting for the things hoped for in Jesus. In wholeheartedly trusting Jesus, the church waits for the coming kingdom of the new heaven and earth. While she waits for Jesus to come back, the church has plenty of time to pour into others the forbearance and trust she has in Jesus. As long as the promises of God in Christ stand (which they do because Christ is risen), the church sees through each and every vale of tears trusting Jesus.

Assurance that Christ will return. This is the end goal of the church’s trust in God, right? The end of the Christian is not JUST a blessed sabbath rest. Most Christians appear to think this way: “I cannot wait to go to heaven to be with Jesus.” Is that the end of the biblical story? No! Those who have died in the Faith are resting in Christ, yes. But the faithful are waiting for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. That’s the end of the story.

In Christ. Faith has become a common word for generic trust. What do we misunderstand about faith in Jesus? Faith is not a mental “check box.” Faith has become a mental “yepp, I believe in Jesus.” Yet, that is NOT how faith is described in Hebrews 11 or throughout the Scriptures. Faith is a full-body experience wrapped up in the grace of God for every aspect of life. Faith is a wholehearted, holistic, holy gift from God that is confessed wholly in mind, body and soul.

The conviction of things not seen. If Jesus was standing before you, arms spread wide, would you all of a sudden trust in Him? We receive glimpses of Jesus now as He works through His church in the Word and Sacraments. Yet, how often do you and I act with limp conviction in that which comes to us BY FAITH? Jesus is Lord of creation. He rules and reigns right now as Almighty God, ascended. While we might not see Him, Jesus is active and alive for you!

Hope - faith is grounded in another’s promises. The faith you and I possess is not a waffling trust. Faith is our eternal hope and joy in Christ. Faith presents the gift of looking backwards to other’s faithfulness (Like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, or Sarah trusting in YHWH’s promises). Faith in Christ also sustains the church for every good gift, including the forgiveness of her sins. Faith also looks forward to the day when Christ returns.

The Rev. Matthew Berry is pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston, Missouri. Based in Sikeston’s Historic North End, Concordia is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a theologically conservative, biblically sound, Christ-centered church.