FAITH

The Holy Spirit has Paul write to each of us, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5a), and the recommendation is certainly not out of order at the very inception of this series of studies. First of all, we must remind ourselves that "without faith it is impossible to please him" (Hebrews 11:6a). Moreover, and this is all-important, true faith must be based solely upon scriptural FACTS, for "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Unless our faith is established upon facts, it is no more than conjecture, superstition, speculation, or presumption.

Hebrews 11:1 leaves no question about this: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith standing on the FACTS of the Word of God substantiates and gives evidence of things not seen. And everyone knows that evidence must be founded upon facts. All of us started on this principle when we were born again -- our belief stood directly upon the eternal fact of the redeeming death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This is the faith by which we began, and it is the same faith by which we are to "stand" (1 Corinthians 16:13); and "walk" (2 Corinthians 5:7); and "live" (Galatians 2:20b).