FAITH

We read in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11:1-6, that faith is to have a confidence in the things which cannot be seen, and are invisible. You and I know with certainty that Jesus was born, died, rose to heaven and soon will come back, according to the Scripture. Really we didn't see Jesus; even those who led us to the Truth, have faith and baptised us, didn't see Jesus. But we have a great hope in Jesus, that he is going to come back and establish God's Kingdom on this earth ­ as the angel of God told Mary in Luke 1:30-33.

Why do we have this confidence in the person we haven't seen? It is through faith, because `without faith it is impossible to please God,' Heb.11:6. Reading the Word of God gives us faith, and hope in ourselves that God is the author of our faith through knowledge of His word: Romans 10:17 ­ a) `Faith comes by hearing.' Hearing what? b) `the word of God.' So we build our faith.

When we see the universe and everything in it, we know and have faith that there is One who made it. So we have our understanding through the word of God, which is the Bible, that we need to have faith, so that the Word penetrates our minds and hearts, for faith to grow in us.

We learn from our father Abraham who left his birth-place to go to a place he didn't know, and by faith he went and by faith he lived his life. So faith produces hope and we become the children of God in Christ, when we also become `the seed of Abraham, and heirs according to the promise.' (Gal.3:26-29) Through our faith in God as the Bible says, by believing, God gave us power to become His children (John 1:12).

The writer of the Hebrews letter pleases me saying, `For yet a little while, and he who is going to come will come, and shall not delay further.' We as His righteous ones will live by faith. God has no pleasure in those who shrink back, but `we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.' (Heb.10:37-39)

Bro. Tom Mulunda (Bungoma, Kenya.)