Faith

Table of Contents

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Because this verse is formatted in the pattern of a definition, let’s do a rather in-depth analysis. A deep-dive will help clarify this great statement and then I’ll show how this definition of faith fits into our “Future Simulation” and “Hope” mind skills.

The Geeky Greek Stuff

Taking the terms in order, our first point of study is this word “faith”.

In the Greek, there is just one single word, which in various forms, equates to our English words “faith”, “belief”, “believe”, “entrust”, “trustworthy” and “faithful”. This Greek word is Pistis (πίστις). Here are a few examples:

Just then, some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 9:2

Matthew 9:2 above uses the noun form of Pistis.

“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
Mark 1:15

Mark 1:15 uses the verb form of Pistis, Pisteuó (πιστεύω).

If, then, you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?
Luke 16:11

Modern Bible translators like to avoid the verb “trust” since it is the identical to the noun form “trust”. Luke 16:11 skirts the problem by translating the same verb form Pisteuó (πιστεύω) as “entrust”. The adjective “faithful” in Luke 16:11 is another form of this same word Pistos (πιστός).

This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
Titus 3:8

The use of “trustworthy” in Titus 3:8 above is again a translation of the same word Pistos (πιστός) translated “faithful” in Luke 16:11 above.

Too, Too Geeky

I’d skip this next part if you are not in a geeky mood. There is a rather entertaining twist to the translation game in this area of “faith”… take for example this passage from 2 Timothy:

For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
2 Timothy 1:12

The reason this passage is interesting is because there are three different words in this verse, “believed”, “convinced” and “entrusted”, all of which are related to this concept of “faith”. Each of these three words are based on different words entirely.

First, “have believed” is the past singular verb form of Pisteuó (πιστεύω). Thus “have believed” is a good translation, fitting the pattern of many other contexts.

Second, “convinced” is a story in itself. A more familiar translation is “persuaded”. In ancient Greek mythology, there was a goddess named Peitho (Πειθώ) who was the personification of the power to influence and persuade and occasionally to seduce. This is the word used here in 2 Timothy 1:12, but in the past tense form Pepeismai (πέπεισμαι). The Latin equivalent of the goddess Peitho was Suade, from whom we get our English word, “persuade”. When someone’s mind was changed by the influential powers of another, it was thought that the goddess Peitho assisted in the change. When married couples were able to negotiate their wants without quarreling, the harmony was a gift from Peitho.

After a time, the term took on less of a mythological acknowledgement and more of an abstraction of the firm mental position that was reached through persuasion. This colorful term is used quite often in the New Testament to describe the concept of certain determination in a belief. Here is another example:

Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Luke 16:31

Third, “what I have entrusted” is not a form of Pisteuó (πιστεύω) at all! This is a picture word in Greek, the noun form Parathékén (παραθήκην). Read it again: In English, “what I have entrusted”, is a round-about way to reference a thing using a verb, but the Greek is a single, compound noun. This noun is derived from Paratithémi (παρατίθημι)– a compound verb formed from the prefix Para (παρά) and Tithémi (τίθημι) . Para is a prefix that means “right close beside”. This prefix has the same meaning when used in English words such as “paralegal” or “paramedic”. Tithémi is the Greek word for “put”, “place”, “lay” or “set”.

As a compound verb, in the less abstract sense, Paratithémi becomes, “to set before you” or “to place beside you”, used when serving someone a meal or giving someone an item they are to keep near. In the more abstract sense, this verb is a legal term to present someone some evidence to consider or as in our example, to give something valuable to someone that they will faithfully protect.

To finish our geeky distraction, this final word, is a banking term used to describe the thing of value that is given to another who has the power to protect the precious item. Paul expressed that he was suffering and that suffering was due to the resistance he faced for believing (living) they way he did. But that suffering wasn’t enough to break his faith. Now, back to Hebrews 11:1.

Assurance

Assurance is a translation of the Greek compound noun, Hupostasis (ὑπόστασις). Hupostasis is formed from the prefix Hupo (ὑπό) and the verb Histémi (ἵστημι). Hupo is a common prefix meaning “under” or “below”. This prefix is used in the English words hypodermic (“under the skin”) and hypoglycemia (“below-normal blood sugar”). Histemi means “to stand”. English words like “static” or “stasis” are derived from this Greek term.

Taken literally, Hupostasis is the material which supports something as it stands, like a foundation. The Latin equivalent of this Greek word is “substance”, “sub” meaning “below” and “stance” meaning a stable, standing position. Both these Greek and Latin words are concrete, picture-terms. But when extended into abstract thought, they take on the meaning of a basis of thought, a starting point or a relationship of dependency.

We’ve dug deep enough to understand that faith is some sort of foundation, a starting point, a confidence, a basis for further construction or fills a dependent roll for something. But what is that something? That’s our next term.

What We Hope For

The Greek word here is Elpizomenōn (ἐλπιζομένων), a rather crazy verb form of hope Elpizó (ἐλπίζω) that turns this verb into a plural nounish object with a possessive twist. Most translations land on either of two English phrases:

“what we hope for” – NIV, NLT, BSB, CEV, ISV, NET, NHEB,
“things hoped for” – ESV, BLB, KJV, ASB, NASB, DBT, ERV, etc.

For a discussion on hope, read the chapter “Hope“. What is it that depends on, or stands upon a foundation or substance provided by faith? It is a thing, a noun and Hebrew 11:1 tell us it is “what we hope for”.

We’ve completed the first clause in our definition… we have another clause yet to study. But so far, we can use faith in an amplified statement this way:

The object of our hope, “what we hope for”, depends on, is built on, or is supported by faith. Said yet another way, faith provides a foundation for a future outcome that we hope for. Faith makes what we hope for seem possible and real.
My geeky amplification

Let’s go on… There is another bitty phrase tacked on to the end of Hebrews 11:1 that can also expand our understanding.

Certainty

The Greek word translated “certainty” is Elegchos (ἔλεγχος). Elegchos is a noun found only in two places in the New Testament. The other place is 2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

This really isn’t enough contexts for us to be certain about the meaning of this Greek word. However, the verb form Elegchó (ἐλέγχω) is much more common. In nearly every case when the verb form is used, the meaning is derived from a judicial context, a sense of being convicted by the presentation of evidence or of being reproved by shameful details exposed to the light.

Based on this background, another translation might be “convincing evidence”. The Hebrews 11:1 context isn’t a context of negative judgement which would indicate that a reproof is taking place… more likely the author is trying to point out that faith is the convincing evidence.

What

Why do we have to do a deep dive into such a blah sort of word? In this case, the translators have unintentionally hidden a real gem behind this blah word. In English, “what” can be used as a passively indirect pronoun. This word is there to represent a noun that is very general and ambiguous. However, the Greek word isn’t that general or ambiguous. The Greek word is a form of the noun Pragma (πρᾶγμα). Yes, pragma can at times be translated “thing”, in a very general sense. But in many of the New Testament contexts where this word is used, it carries a specific meaning of an important issue that is being deliberated in a courtroom setting. Here is an example:

Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:19

Matthew 18:19 is a verse in the context of what to do when a fellow Christian sins. The procedure is outlined in detail by Jesus, providing steps to take to insure the best possible resolution. Then Jesus finishes with this line above, showing that in the deliberation of this matter, when done as a team, prayerfully bringing the issue before God, the promise is that the request is granted. Jesus ends with verse 20: “For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

When a serious matter is under prayerful consideration by a group of Christians trying to determine the best course of action, Jesus is there also and the determination of the team, formed as a request to God will be done.

And another example:

If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints!
1 Corinthians 6:1

Again, in 1 Corinthians, the term is not just a general “thing” but a legal matter that parties believe needs to be settled by a court.

As a child, did you ever have a squabble with a sibling that generated a ruckus? What happened next? In marches dad or mom who authoritatively ask, “What’s the matter?” This is parent-code for, “Court is now in session. Each of you are to present evidence for your side of the matter– then I’ll make a judgement.” It was the same for the Greek speakers of Jesus’ day– matters were important issues requiring careful review of evidence.

We Do Not See

The Greek word here is really a simple phrase consisting of the particle ou (οὐ) and a form of the word Blepó (βλέπω). The particle ou, negates the following idea as in “the flag is not red.” The word Blepó means “to see”. The form of this word here in Hebrews 11:1 turns these two words into the action of “not seeing.” Broadening this idea for abstraction lead us to a meaning of “the unseen”.

Amplified Geek (not Greek)

So taking together all what we have studied from the subtleties of the Greek, we’re ready to amplify the translation and hopefully return some of the fullness which was intended in the original language.

Try this for an amplification of Hebrews 11:1

The object of our hope stands firm, as a positive future possibility, supported by a foundation built by faith. Important, unseen matters are are made real and visible by faith’s convincing evidence.
Hebrews 11:1 – my lame amplification

Certainty vs Uncertainty

I firmly believe (take note of my choice of words here) that this concept of faith, as a skill of the mind, is vitally important in the unseen world. Hope, like faith, deals with future outcomes which are impossible (unseen) except for the promise-fact, when trusted, that make these impossibilities, possible.

When dealing with the visible world, we still use the term “believe” often to describe our certainty about common future outcomes. I believe I’ll be home for supper on time. I believe I have enough gas in my car to last until Friday. This use of the word “believe” is a synonym for “am certain” or “am confident”. This usage doesn’t enter into the unseen spiritual world of “faith” and “hope”.

Using the term “believe” also helps us to remain humble and personable in social situations. Telling someone “You’re wrong!”, comes off very strong, but saying, “I believe you may be incorrect” sounds much better. It is important in social encounters that we behave in a way that keeps the peace between each other. It is good to be “self-aware” and understand how our corrupted self can at times break through in moments of weakness and be a real jerk.

Thus we express our certainty and uncertainty under a humble self-awareness when we use the word “believe”.

The Bible never uses this modern tone of humility in communication. Biblical “faith” terms always express the spiritual power available to those who “believe”.

Someone might say, “I believe Jesus was a real person”. This means they are fairly certain the stories about Jesus are true, but it doesn’t mean that the unseen future possibilities that inspire our hopes are spiritual realities in our lives because we have put our faith in Jesus.

Knitting it Together

The true test of whether I have accurately explained “Future Simulation“, “Hope” and now “Faith” will be decided as we examine some key New Testament stories where Jesus identified excellent faith.

The Canaanite Woman Begs Deliverance for Her Daughter

Let’s begin with perhaps my favorite of all lessons on faith, the story of the Canaanite woman who approaches Jesus with a request in Matthew 15:21-28.

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.”
23 But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 “O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour
Matthew 15:21-28

A Little Context

Before we explore these eight, marvelous verses, it is helpful to note the context of this encounter. The previous chapter, Matthew 14, is the story of “The Longest Day” (see also John chapter 6). Jesus and His disciples were on the Northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, ministering, healing, and preaching. To get some rest, Jesus and the disciples board boats headed for the more secluded and remote Southeastern short of the Sea of Galilee. However, as they depart, the crowds race around the lake and meet them in the wilderness where they make land.

As you remember, more preaching, healing and ministering goes on there until it becomes apparent that sending the crowds home would be an issue of safety, since they’ve had no food for a long time, the nearest grocery store or restaurant is miles away and the cost to feed such a huge crowd would be enormous. Jesus feeds the crowd using miracle power, sends the crowds home, sends the disciples on ahead to the Northwest shore of the lake by boat and proceeds to pray nearly all night there on the hilly bank.

Toward morning, Jesus catches up to the disciples in the boat by walking directly across the lake. Peter walks on water at Jesus’ bidding and they soon reach the beach at Gennesaret. Nobody is surprised when the locals recognize Jesus and send news to all the nearby communities that another healing picnic is about to start. Matthew 14 ends with these verses:

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him, 36 and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.
Matthew 14:34-36

John chapter 6 also notes that Jesus is able to talk some hard sense into their minds by pointing out that they were only following Jesus for the snacks and the signs– entertainment is what they were after, not truth or deliverance. Many walk away at this point.

The primary point of all this summary is to show just how much the disciples wanted to be on vacation for a while. They had been followed and pawed at by crowds, unable to sleep for at least 24 hours and were burnt out completely. The last thing the disciples wanted to see was another screaming woman begging for Jesus’ help.

Verse 21 — On Vacation Outside the Borders of Israel

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
Matthew 15:21

Finally the disciples have managed to find a place where they can have some peace and quiet. The region of Tyre and Sidon was just north of the border of Israel in what the Romans had named Phoenicia. The region just to the east in the hills was Syria.

Verse 22 — Someone Knew Jesus was There!

22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.”
Matthew 14:22

What Kind of Woman is This?

Verse 22 says the woman was a Canaanite, a very general term for non-Jews native to the lands historically conquered by Israel. The parallel passage from Mark 7 gives us some more details about this woman.

26 Now she was a Greek woman of Syrophoenician origin, …
Mark 7:26a

Verse 26 of Mark 7 says this woman was “Greek”, which is likely true, but in Jewish terms was also another way just to say a person was a non-Jew. Verse 26 also says this woman was “Syrophoenician”, having a native homeland in the region between Phoenicia and Syria. In three different ways, the Scripture makes it clear this woman was NOT a Jew and NOT part of Israel in any way.

How Did She Hear About Jesus and His Power To Cast Out Demons?

Without a doubt, this region is the most needy and backwards of all the places Jesus ministered. People in this area are ignorant, dirty, “hayseeds” and “hicks”. They are the “white trash” of low repute. When the disciples stood and spoke to the international visitors in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, they were doubly surprised not only to hear them speaking in their own native tongues, but that they were Galileans, known to be unschooled, ordinary men. When it was noted in John 1 that Jesus was from Galilee, Nathaniel couldn’t help but ask, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

This far-away region of Israel was rife with demon-possession– a condition that was actually encouraged by pagan priests. This curse on lost souls turned out to be a powerful mission field for Jesus. When He cast out demons, it amazed everyone. Sure, Jesus did heal everyone who was brought to Him, but many were healed of demon-possession and the news spread rapidly and all the way to Syria!

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them.
25 The large crowds that followed Him came from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 4:23-25

A Woman’s Hopelessness

So here are the very simple situation details to fill in to our future simulators: This 1) poor woman cares deeply for the miserable condition of her 2) demon-possessed daughter, 3) lives in a land of superstition and ignorance where 4) pagan priests will be of no use whatsoever and 5) a foreigner, unworthy of the privilege Jews enjoyed. Future simulation yields no positive outcomes. Despair! The mind searches anxiously for anything that would produce a positive future outcome and hope but finds NONE.

She learns that Jesus has the power to heal, especially from the many examples of demons being cast from hapless souls. Now we have a new fact: Jesus; and trustworthy future prediction data: he casts out demons. The future simulation does its calculation using updated inputs and behold, a positive future outcome is generated that is only possible by seeking out Jesus and getting Him to heal her daughter. Hope! Just knowing about the power Jesus has isn’t enough to heal her daughter– she must create a plan that will connect Jesus and her daughter in order to reach this future outcome she hopes for. The simple plan comes together:

Find Jesus
Get Jesus’ Attention
Explain her problem
Never give up

Sadly, Syrophoenicia is between 50 to 75 miles from the Sea of Galilee– finding Jesus is going to nearly impossible as a single mother with a demon-possessed daughter to care for. Neither will she get any help being shunned by neighbors, family and friends for having an out-of-control beast as a daughter.

Knowing Jesus can heal your daughter is a source of tremendous hope and joy, but being unable to reach Him erases it all. Just then, news arrives that she doesn’t have to travel all the way to Galilee! Jesus has come to her!

We’re not told how difficult it was to find Jesus, but generally, news about Jesus spreads fast. She probably didn’t have to travel too far or too long to catch up with Him. 1. Find Jesus— CHECK!

Talking With a King

Leaving nothing to chance, this woman approaches Jesus with the perfect opening address. Her first title for Jesus is “Lord”. This can also be translated “Master”. This is an immediate term of relative worthiness. The one addressed as “Lord” is higher, loftier, and royaler (if that’s a word) than the one speaking. “Lord” is completely accurate.

Her second title is “Son of David”. For a heathen, gentile, foreigner, this is a surprising title since it reflects a knowledge of the Messiah as the coming King who will reign on the throne of David. This woman is already acting with more respect toward Jesus than most Jews. This is a big plus for her.

Lastly, she appeals to Jesus’ mercy. Everyone of power and authority is responsible for the appropriation of their own strength. This woman, by appealing to Jesus’ mercy is acknowledging that any gift she receives from His hand is a magnanimous act of divine generosity for which He will receive all the glory and honor for bestowing. She states right from the start that she deserves none of His favor which is His and His alone to do with as He pleases.

To top off her appeal to Jesus, she merely states the situation. She really doesn’t even make a request to Jesus at all. This is brilliant because it is somewhat risky for a woman of her world to make a demand of a superior male without the superior losing status. But if the woman just appeals to the superior’s intelligence and sense of propriety, laying the matter at His feet, any action taken in favor of the woman will appear to be a benefit to both the woman and the superior.

Through this short, clear appeal, the woman has humbled herself in multiple ways while at the same time has honored and exalted Jesus in multiple ways. Although she hasn’t yet got Jesus’ attention, she has devised a perfect way to explain her problem. 3. Explain Her Problem: CHECK!

Verse 23a — Obstacle #1: Ignored

23a But Jesus did not answer a word. …
Matthew 15:23a

Jesus refused to answer her. Being ignored is a huge offense. Someone with weak faith would have given up hope when faced with this level of resistance. The woman was thwarted in the execution of her plan, but did not give up. This is an external evidence of the strength of her faith in Jesus. Jesus was the key that unlocked all her hope and she wasn’t willing to dislodge Jesus from her plan.

Further Humility

The parallel passage in Mark 7:26b says,

… and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
Mark 7:26b

The term “kept asking” is a verb of continual action. She doesn’t stop asking. In addition, the Greek nuance of her plea implies that the mode of her supplication was intimate and personal. This isn’t the kind of request one makes to your waiter when ordering a burger and fries. This plea is from the heart like a child pleading with their parents for their very life.

This poor woman was impudently persistent and making a scene. She was to the point of being annoying and pestering. Nobody wants to be the noisy, attention-grabbing, public irritation at the mall. Nobody wants to be the mother with a screaming toddler in the grocery store. But for something as important as the healing of her demon-possessed daughter, this woman is willing to shame herself in public to insure the success of her plan.

Verse 23b — Obstacle #2: Counter-Pleas from the Disciples

23b … So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
Matthew 15:23b

This woman was following behind Jesus and the disciples as they traveled, causing the disciples to become irritated. The disciples are on vacation. The last person they want to see is yet another woman begging relentlessly for healing. The disciples are not on her side. This again shows that this woman is willing to reach the level of harassment to importune Jesus for a response. Someone with weak faith would have given up, rather than become rude or uncivil. This sort of behavior toward males of Jesus’ day and especially a famous rabbi and His disciples is horribly disrespectful.

Finally the woman’s irritation gets to the disciples and Jesus politely responds. It isn’t clear whether Jesus is merely answering the disciples or is talking directly to the woman, but in any case this is good news for the woman. 2. Get Jesus’ attention: CHECK!

Verse 24– Obstacle #3: Not My Problem

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Matthew 15:24

This woman is apparently more intelligent than the typical Syrophoenician stock. She likely would have recognized immediately that Jesus’ response gave her yet another blow, intended to cause her to give up on her plan and return to a state of hopelessness. This should have been enough to make her abandon her pursuit. Jesus Himself lets her know it would violate the purpose of His mission to lend her any assistance. Helping her is outside the scope of Jesus’ mandate. Helping her would be disobedient to the one who sent Jesus on His task. She had completely no right to believe Jesus could be the answer to her hopeless situation. In essence, Jesus tells her, “Sorry, it is impossible for me to help you.”

Verse 25– She Hasn’t Given it Her All Yet

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
Matthew 15:25

The woman is now close to Jesus and has His attention. For all her ill-mannered impudence, obnoxious boldness and ignorance up to this point, she knows enough to fall to her knees, uttering an urgent call for relief from severe peril. Further humbling herself, she assumes a low position on her knees before Jesus, further exalting Him. Also, the term she uses for “help” is the strongest of military distress calls. Help is needed immediately. The only satisfactory response is to drop everything and run to the rescue. Jesus may have told her in no uncertain terms that what she ask is impossible, but she doesn’t give up. She now falls directly before Him as her only hope. Even though Jesus has stated it is impossible, she believe Jesus can do the impossible.

Verse 26– Obstacle #4: Helping Makes No Sense

26 But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
Matthew 15:26

As if to send a cannon ball right through this woman’s heart, Jesus responds with an unmistakably disparaging picture of double rejection: The answer is ‘No’, because you are a dog and unworthy to eat the children’s preciously prepared food, which is of course Jesus. The contrast between a welcome child and a dog is immense. This woman has agonized in hopelessness. She has probably traveled on foot over many miles searching for Jesus. She has followed Jesus and the band of disciples, begging repeatedly for an audience. She has acted rude and made people uncomfortable with her noisy persistence. What further sacrifice to her own personal dignity could she offer in pursuit of relief for her daughter? Now Jesus appeals to common sense and ancient wisdom, calling her a dog through a backhanded metaphorical slap. It makes no sense for Jesus to waste His worthiness on her unworthiness.

Jesus Said What?

Think about all the times Jesus has spoken one-on-one with someone in need. Jesus is never mean. Jesus is patient and understanding. Jesus cares. Jesus always attempts to draw them toward Himself. But this comment is the nastiest thing one person could say to another, let alone our precious Savior to a poor woman. Jesus has said something that would in no way draw anyone to Himself. Had she burst into tears, dropped her face into her palms and sobbed away, I don’t think there would be any Christianity. If she would have lost hope right then, huge books would be written, by faithful and infidels alike, about Jesus, the most horrible person ever.

If my children ever acted the way Jesus just acted, they would get spanked and sent to their rooms. This is beyond rude to refuse to help someone in need when you have the excess capability to relieve the suffering and put an end to the anguish. Not only that, Jesus has made a distinction, judging the value of a human being by their nationality– in today’s world this is a huge mistake.

What would cause Jesus to risk becoming the worst villain of the planet? Why on earth was Jesus so rude, attempting repeatedly to place impossible obstacles in this woman’s way? Jesus has healed hundreds or even thousands of sick, lame, blind and demon-possessed souls without any push-back. But for this woman, Jesus makes her suffer for it. There must be a reason. There must be an answer for why this story is repeated for us in two of the four Gospels…

Verse 27– The Woman’s Ultimate Faith Response

27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Matthew 15:27

But as my heart throbs with pity within me, I can’t stop being amazed at what happens next. This insulted woman, on her knees, exhausted by the chase and burden for her daughter, has the genius to hold the fact and promise of Jesus steady in her soul, despite all the resistance she has faced, by replying in the character of the insult she just deflected. There appears to be no anger, no malice and no hatred toward Jesus for treating her with such contempt. Without missing a beat, she admits she IS a dog with “Yes, Lord”, and like a dog, points out that she would be more than satisfied by just the crumbs that fall from the master’s table to the dirty floor below.

If Jesus is the precious food prepared for the children, then more than likely there will be crumbs, too small and too insignificant to bother gathering up and feeding to the children. Small crumbs naturally fall to the floor or are swept from the table. Once on the dirty floor, these crumbs are clearly spoiled and defiled, worthy only for vile dogs that care nothing about the quality of the food they devour. This woman hits back with a series of logical arguments that literally catches Jesus in a trap of His own devising. If it makes sense to only feed worthy food to children, then it makes even more sense to feed unworthy food to satisfy dogs. Of all the people Jesus argued with, of all the Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and Elders, this woman has literally outsmarted Jesus.

Of course, if Jesus wanted to, He could have continued the flow of the metaphor to top this woman and win the verbal battle, but as we’ll see, Jesus wasn’t out to beat this woman, but to draw out the precious strength of true and genuine saving faith. The kind of faith that pleases God shines like the sun when tested in the fire.

In lowering herself, she has raised Jesus at the same time, equating the mere crumbs that fall to the floor as more than adequate to satisfy the enormous need her daughter faced. Not only does this woman believe Jesus is the solution to her helpless situation, she believes Jesus could do it with just the leftover scraps. She isn’t asking for the valuable food reserved for the children, she knows that with Jesus’ power, even the scraps are able to heal.

This woman’s faith was so strong that she was able to hold onto the positive future outcome generated by hope in promises that could only be reached through Jesus, despite His hard, repeated blows. Without Jesus, she had no hope. With Jesus she had hope. Hope is a very heavy phenomenon in the world of our souls and only a strong foundation can support a hope like this. Powerful forces were at work to try to get her to drop Jesus and go back to hopelessness and despair. In each and every disappointment, she held Jesus, locked in that position where that one future became a possibility for her. She was determined to make that future a reality, knowing that it would never become real without Jesus.

Verse 28– Jesus Approves Her Faith and Grants Her Wish

28 “O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour
Matthew 15:28

Matthew records that Jesus reacted to her with a term of endearment, “O woman” and a king’s endorsement, “your faith is great!”

To close out this example, review this woman’s finest quality against our geeky definition of faith from Hebrews 11:1.

The object of our hope stands firm, as a positive future possibility, supported by a foundation built by faith. Important, unseen matters are are made real and visible by faith’s convincing evidence.
Hebrews 11:1 – my lame amplification

This woman’s hope in a positive future outcome was real in her mind because it was supported by a rock-solid faith in Jesus. The invisible possibility of a daughter far away, freed from the misery of a demon, was real because of the convincing evidence of Jesus. This woman’s faith kept Jesus in focus. This woman’s faith in Jesus is the only possibility that would fulfill her hopes.

Let’s look at another story of faith.

The Centurion’s Valuable Servant

Luke chapter 7 opens with this story of a centurion who seeks healing for his valuable servant.

1 When Jesus had concluded His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. 2 There a highly valued servant of a centurion was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to ask Him to come and heal his servant. 4 They came to Jesus and pleaded with Him earnestly, “This man is worthy to have You grant this, 5 for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to You. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes; and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the centurion. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith!” 10 And when the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant in good health.
Luke 7:1-10

Verse 1 & 2 — Jesus Comes to Town

1 When Jesus had concluded His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. 2 There a highly valued servant of a centurion was sick and about to die.
Luke 7:1-2

This is Luke chapter 7. Luke chapter 6 is a retelling of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”, an oft-repeated teaching of many topics pertinent to a generation of Jews who needed to hear from the authority of God Himself. After such a sermon, Jesus returns to Capernaum. Jesus didn’t have a home, but if any town could be called His home-base for ministry, it was Capernaum.

Immediately we learn of a centurion, literally a leader of 100 Roman soldiers, who had a servant so sick that he was about to die. The text says the servant was “highly valued”. A literal translation would actually convey as sense of being “precious”, or “honored”. This servant means a lot to this centurion.

The state of medical technology in Jesus’ day was rather primitive. No physician could turn-around the progress of a disease so near the point of death. Here are the inputs to the centurion’s future simulator: a compassionate centurion, a sick and beloved servant is near death and no known physicians or remedies have ever reversed a near-death sickness. We’re not told what the centurion had already tried to secure healing, but his future simulator rightly generated bleak results and hopeless feelings. Desperately, the centurion searches to find anything that would alter the possible outcomes to generate a more positive future.

Verse 3– Good News!

3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to ask Him to come and heal his servant.
Luke 7:3

Then the centurion hears about Jesus and His reputation for healing. New inputs yield better outputs. Jesus makes an impossible future outcome possible, hope blossoms and the centurion generates a plan to petition Jesus to heal.

Instead of the centurion personally imploring Jesus on behalf of the servant, the centurion sends Jewish elders willing to tell Jesus about the sick servant. Why were these elders willing to help a Roman centurion?

Verses 4-6a — These Elders Owe the Centurion a Favor

4 They came to Jesus and pleaded with Him earnestly, “This man is worthy to have You grant this, 5 for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6a So Jesus went with them. …
Luke 7:4-6

Verses 4 and 5 tell us that these elders are willing to beseech Jesus on the Centurion’s behalf because the Centurion is a likely proselyte to Judaism and so generous in his giving that the city built a synagogue with his gifts. In the human economy of relationships, this Centurion is worthy because of his good works. Unfortunately, Jesus isn’t impressed with good works. The elders assume a sort of equality of appreciation between themselves and Jesus. This is a bad assumption, but as we’ll see soon, Jesus doesn’t go along with the elders because the centurion is worthy, but to help us (and these elders) understand what truly makes someone worthy of God’s favor.

At first we might be tempted to get mad at these elders for their shallow view of God and His amazing grace. However, there is a element of truth to this matter. Recall that King David testified in Psalm 66:18

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
Psalm 66:18

Seen from another angle, sending Jewish elders as agents or proxies could be misconstrued as an attempt to “soften”, “flatter” or even “influence” Jesus. Sending agents or proxies could also be veiling the Centurion’s attitude of arrogance or superiority by sending such respected officials as servants in an attempt to impress Jesus with his own power and influence. At this point we’re not told anything about the Centurion’s motivation. Verse 6 let’s us know that Jesus made the decision to go with them.

Personally, I don’t think Jesus is ever influenced by an earthly show or external appeal. Jesus never once did an interview with a sick person seeking healing to see if the healing was justified or deserved! I can’t imagine Jesus healing a person’s slave only because the slave’s master was “worthy”. If Jesus decided to go, it was more likely He was going merely on behalf of the need of the near-death servant.

On the other hand, like the Canaanite woman, Jesus is also aware that the Holy Spirit is leading and God is going to do something amazing.

Verses 6b-7a — Motivated by Unworthiness

6b … But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. 7a That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to You. …
Luke 7:6b-8

As Jesus nears the centurion’s home, the centurion must have become aware of the rising noise of a crowd approaching and sends his friends as agents to communicate a final message to Jesus. There is something about this message that changes everything. Let’s break it down.

Lord

As with the Canaanite woman, the Centurion instantly establishes a superior and inferior relationship with Jesus. By calling Jesus, “Lord”, the Centurion is elevating Jesus with honor and establishing himself as a servant. “Lord” can also be translated “Master”.

Do Not Trouble Yourself

Of all the tasks for a Lord to accomplish, this one is a task that doesn’t need Jesus’ personal attention. Merely waking to the Centurion’s door was more than enough to show favor to the Centurion’s servant. An honored servant is near death with a humanly incurable sickness and his master considers it too small a matter to be handled personally by Lord Jesus. This is surely a sign that the Centurion is crazy… or perhaps the Centurion has a high view of Jesus, His Power and His Authority!

For I Am Not Worthy To Have You Come Under My Roof

The motivation the Centurion gives for stopping Jesus before He reaches the house is unworthiness. This is a contradiction to the reasons why Jesus was asked to heal the servant. The elders said this man was worthy on account of his good works. Yet the Centurion’s own attitude about himself is unworthiness. Most folks today are embarrassed to have a guest in their house when the house is messy. This Centurion understands the deeper sense of embarrassment and worthiness– when a man’s own heart is messy, this disqualifies the man from sharing in the holy presence of God. When a man understands his own sin, the closer God comes to that sin, the more shame the man feels. You might have the neatest, most orderly house on the block, but if the man of the house has a soul stained with sin, then you’ll eventually have to address this topic of worthiness.

This Centurion knew he couldn’t hide his sin from Jesus, he couldn’t sweep it under the rug. Instead, he presents it as the primary reason for stopping Jesus there in the street outside his door. Jesus is no ordinary house guest. When Jesus crosses the threshold of your house, every shameful stain, every hidden secret, every white lie will leap from their hiding place and paste themselves publicly on a billboard just outside your door. Learn a lesson of the Centurion, confess your unworthiness in advance. Instead of becoming the mug shot on the evening news, you’ll actually be the respected man of integrity you’ve always wanted to be.

That Is Why I Did Not Consider Myself Worthy To Come To You

And here is the answer we were looking for earlier. The Centurion sent agents or proxies to tell Jesus his servant was sick, not to influence, flatter or impress Jesus, but for the simple fact that to be that close to Jesus, speaking directly to Him, sharing the glory of His presence was too high an honor for a man of such low merit and esteem. Worthiness disqualifies the Centurion’s house for a visit from the Lord Jesus and worthiness disqualifies the Centurion from a face-to-face interview.

Verses 7b – 8 — A Very Mature Faith

7b … But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes; and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”
Luke 7:7b-8

The Bible tells us details of many healings. Some healing situations appear to take place without the issue of faith involved at all, as in the man born blind in John chapter 9. In other situations, faith is a factor, but the faith needs to be bolstered, by almost a superstitious encouragement, such as touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak, being shaded by the passing shadow of a revered disciple, being touched in a certain way or being rubbed with muddy spittle. These acts merely accommodate the frailty of a weak faith. Jesus still is powerful to save at every level of a person faith, but when someone comes along who can completely accept the reality of a healing act from Jesus merely at His word, this is a truly amazing faith.

A mature faith rests in being able to believe truth without all the physical confirmations. Recall Jesus’ gentle chiding after Thomas’ remark upon seeing, feeling and touching the risen Jesus for himself:

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29

The Centurion conveys through his friends that He is perfectly aware and totally comfortable with merely the promise of a healing for his servant. “Just Say The Word”. To be able to base all the future joy in your life on a promise is a sign of faith. Remember from Hebrews 11:1 that “Faith is the foundation for what we hope for.” Everything the Centurion hoped for was already a reality because his faith was in Jesus. Jesus is so powerful that merely a promise is good enough. He didn’t need a bed-side visit. He didn’t need a touch or a rub or a muddy compress from Jesus.

The Centurion even gives us a reason for why his faith is so strong and stable. This Centurion has seen power appropriated many times merely through words communicated down a chain of command. The captain giving orders doesn’t have to make everything happen himself. The words of the captain are obeyed and the earth moves. To recognize that Jesus would understand this human side of divine power is a foundational part of faith itself. The fact that this Centurion sees the invisible influence of Divine Power is a testimony to his faith.

Verses 9 & 10 — Jesus Reacts to the Centurion’s Faith

9 When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the centurion. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith!” 10 And when the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant in good health.
Luke 7:9-10

Jesus remarks that this centurion’s evidence of faith causes Him to “marvel”– the Greek term here caries a sense of being astonished, amazed or filled with wonder. Jesus claims that He has not seen “such great” faith even in Israel. The elaborate planning to help Jesus avoid the dishonor of being in the unworthy Centurion’s presence and careful execution of steps, not in any way meant to influence Jesus by buying Jesus’ favor, but the honest elimination of every possible detraction, to make the act of healing as effortless as possible, was an illustration of faith. All throughout the steps, the centurion, while never speaking with Jesus face to face, but humbling himself from afar, was able to show how high he had elevated Jesus in his own estimation. The centurion’s esteem for Jesus was confirmed through every remote interaction. This is a lesson not in how to be a flatterer, but how genuine humility can lift others without malice and show evidence of faith.

This centurion’s unpretentious personal knowledge and understanding of Jesus, indicates that a distant unseen relationship was already established across which miracles of faith can flow. This is exactly the opposite of what happened when Jesus visited His home town. Villagers who thought they knew Jesus really had no clue– and this familiarity presented itself as a complete lack of faith.

Let’s do one more example before we bring sin and unbelief into the question of faith.

Praying With Faith

In both prior examples, the persons with hopeless negative future outcomes, learned of Jesus and found hope based on who Jesus is. Their plan to make their new hopeful possible future outcome a reality depended entirely on approaching Jesus and imploring Him personally for His favor. Every other plan resulted in a negative future outcome. Jesus was the key that unlocked a positive future outcome. But what happens if we, today, can’t walk a few miles and fall to our knees in the presence of the one who holds our future? Jesus explains how in a parable from Luke 18:1-8 about a widow and a unrighteous judge.

1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:
2 “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God or respect men, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’”
6 And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. 7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8 I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
Luke 18:1-8

We’re told from the very start that this parable was spoken to teach the disciples “about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart”.

When it comes to faith, a clear sign of true faith is a faith that can withstand the tests of time. True faith persists, especially when the obstacle is time. This isn’t a kind of selfish, impatient faith that says, “This is what I want and I want it now!” This is kind of faith that says, “There is only one way to get to the end of this trouble and create a new future, and that’s with God’s help!”

The story-parable Jesus relates is plain enough. A good and righteous judge would not have delayed justice for this unjustly-treated widow. Unrighteous judges often purposefully delayed judgments knowing eventually the plaintiff would approach them with a bribe and a monetary auction would then take place between the two parties bringing their case before the judge. But the widow, unable to supply a bribe, was only able to influence this judge to make a judgment for her case and resolve the unjust matter she faced through repeated appeals. The judge “neither feared God nor respected men”, but was human like the rest of us and was worn-down by her persistence.

The widow, like the Canaanite woman and the centurion, saw a future outcome where her persecutor was forced by a legal decree to cease. However the positive outcome she hoped for was only a future reality if the matter was resolved by this judge. So in a human way, the woman put faith in this judge and obeyed a plan that kept him there in that slot despite the resistance of time.

Jesus implores us to consider the response from this unjust judge. This is an argument from the lesser to the greater. Since a lesser judge was worn-down by persistence, how much more will a righteous judge, our just God, act swiftly on our behalf when we “cry out to Him day and night”?

Finally, Jesus drops the bomb. At the end of the age of Jesus, when He returns, will there be anyone on earth who recognizes that all impossible hopes are possible through Jesus? Jesus claims at that time there will be no “faith on earth”.

Human Faith

Examples of human faith are helpful in understanding the more vital and eternal consequences of faith in Jesus.

For example, children trust in the security and provision of parents and as a result sleep peacefully, and live and play in carefree abandon. Relationships flower in an environment of trust. Huge, impossible tasks become possible when teams of people trust their leaders and each other to meet goals.

Can you imagine doubting every human entity we interact with on a daily basis? If we lived the maxim “just look out for number one”, our lives would literally collapse under the burden of basic survival. Just one person who promises to “watch your back” can bless you with a good night’s sleep.

There is real peace and consolation that flows to our lives through the pipeline of trust. We gain power, confidence and strength through the dependability of others.

Trust and faith in God, and especially in this age of Jesus, to trust in God’s Son, generates supernatural rest and peace through a miracle pipeline, from a miracle source, all based on a divine promise. Know for sure that human trust pales compared to the effect trust in God has on all lives that believe.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.
John 14:1

Enemies of Faith

As you can imagine, if it were easy to just plop the best news in the universe into our future simulators, everyone would be living in the Joy of Hope in Jesus right now. But it isn’t that easy.

Near the close of the His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had this to say,

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

What makes the gate of salvation so narrow? The Greek word translation “narrow” carries a sense of being “squeezed” or “constrained”, even “afflicted”, “troubled” or “distressed”. Be warned, I love good news as I know you do too, but there is a price to pay every time our minds endeavor to live lives consistent with the faith in Jesus we profess. In fact, Jesus warned

I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
John 16:33

Why is the walk of faith such a narrow road? Where will all this tribulation come from?

The Devil: the Enemy of God

I won’t go into a full exposition on the topic of Satan here– but in those ways that Satan is an enemy of God, of course he will also be a Christian’s enemy as well. God’s plan is to save, Satan’s plan is to destroy.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44

I don’t know how it happens, but it is possible to become so deceived by Satan’s lies that a person can actually become a combatant in Satan’s forces, an ally with the devil. Cain literally “refused” to do good and it placed him in danger of being controlled by sin. You may have heard the phrase, “Sold their soul to the devil”. I’m not well educated on the internal workings of this kind of sale, but there are people whose level of evil demonstrates being a child of the devil. Jesus is usually very patient with the crowds he preaches to, but He had really harsh condemnation for leaders whose actions prevented others from hearing and receiving the good news Jesus preached. Satan was behind the work of these leaders and He made that abundantly clear.

Likewise, when Jesus was explaining the parable of the sower to the disciples in Luke 8:11-12, He pointed out plainly that the devil is responsible for preventing God’s Word, the Truth, from entering hearer’s hearts where they would then believe and be saved.

Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Luke 8:11-12

It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes’ masterful powers of observation to recognize that today’s information channels are being run by the devil. Truth doesn’t make it to the headlines. When something blatantly true does become part of the news cycle, the truth isn’t the headline, the lie about the truth is the headline. Those standing up for the truth are banned from Facebook and Twitter. Textbooks filled with lies are the study materials for our public schools and secondary education systems.

“Political correctness” is actually “satanic correctness”. I know that is a harsh statement, but a lot is at stake– if “truth be told”, many deceived sheep would become children of God and that is not something the devil would be happy about.

The easy way to destroy any hope of being saved by the truth of Jesus Christ is to deceive the whole world into thinking there is no truth. For extra credit, go to the Wikipedia page on Postmodernism and browse through the section on Criticisms. You’ll discover that the best way to keep people completely inoculated to truth is to fill them with this lie.

Where there are lies, you’ll find the devil. “Evolution” is a lie. “People are basically good” is a lie. “Jesus was just a really wise and loving teacher” is a lie. “You can’t prove God exists” is a lie. “There is no hell or judgment” is a lie.

Persecution: Physical Suffering for Christ

Thankfully, in the United State, the constitution stands in support of the Godly characteristics that make a government effective in constraining the corruption of fallen man. Read “What Went Wrong?” for a bigger story about this situation. So far, the constitutionally protected freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech have withstood the growing ignorance of today’s society, but the signs of a fall are starting to be seen.

In many other places on earth, living out your faith in Jesus will cause believers to be physically harmed, homes to be burned, businesses destroyed and lives lost. Some governments are completely hostile toward believers. Many religions teach paths to enlightenment which are complete lies, contrary to the good news of Jesus. These same religions are intolerant of conflicting views about the afterlife and especially intolerant of a view that makes it clear there is only one way to hope and eternity and that way isn’t your way– the way is Jesus. Research shows Christians are far and away the most persecuted people on earth.

The Apostle Paul expressed this same sentiment in 2 Timothy 3:12 when he said,

Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
2 Timothy 3:12

Again, from Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower, Jesus points out that

The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
Luke 8:13

For some, all it takes is a “time of testing”, persecution, or hardships and they fall away. They taste the hope Jesus offers in the truth of God’s Word, received with joy only for a season. Their lack of “root” makes it easy to “fall away” from a walk with Jesus by faith. Without “root”, (that is, without faith), truths learned about Jesus are dislodged from their future simulation, relieving them from the persecution, but returning them to the hopeless life they once led.

The principles are a bit off topic for this chapter, but do some research on “Eternal Security” and the corollary principle “Perseverance of the Saints” to see how a genuine faith in Jesus, constantly tested, results in endurance, instead of apostasy. Persecution cannot and never will defeat a soul who has trusted Jesus.

Self: Corrupt Tyrant of the Mind

Again, I would highly recommend reading “What Went Wrong?” and the “Soul” for some great background on this enemy of faith.

No, we are not basically good people. Look yourself in the mirror of self-accountability: Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen something? Have you ever lusted sexually after someone else’s body? Have you ever become so angry at someone you wanted to “wring their neck”? These aren’t the core reactions of a good person. These are the foundations for wicked people.

The best question you will ever ask yourself is why do I sometimes do such horrible things, or say such horrible things? We never really want to do them. We’re such good people!

First, you need to know the truth– you are responsible for every wrong thought, every wrong action and every wrong word. Coming clean to a holy and just God is a really good idea. They say “confession is good for the soul”, well it is true because you’ll never discover how much you need the good news of the Savior Jesus Christ until you do. Read “Test Yourself” to get the full scoop on your diagnosis and prognosis from the physician for souls.

Even if the concept of a corrupted soul is new to you, it shouldn’t surprise you that 100% of your motivation is driven by urges from your soul. You might think you are a person of integrity and lead your life by rational thought and prudent behavior, but you’re not. If you do know Jesus Christ and the faith you have completely placed in him is the most precious gift of your life, then the situation is slightly different– God will set free the sinner who walks by faith, but your corrupted soul will still give you a hard fought battle on a daily basis.

The urges of the soul are aimed directly at your faith in Jesus. Every desire and lust will strain to dislodge it from your future simulation. Your feelings will lie to you. Your body will be uncooperative and every selfish longing will want Jesus’ influence purged from your mind.

The Apostle Paul, with his brilliant mind, was able to show this fact logically with a confession found in Romans chapter 7

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. 17 In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. 20 And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. 23 But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
25 Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Romans 7:14-25

Paul articulately describes what we all experience– we want to do good, but are a slave to a force within us that compels us to do evil. Placing our faith in Jesus will liberate us from the soul’s oppressive compulsions to sin! So naturally the soul is going to fight this faith tooth and nail.

James also warned us of this battle that generates such evil within us:

1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have. You kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
James 4:1-3

Jesus concluded His explanation of the Parable of the Sower with a telling picture of how powerful a corrupt soul can be in this battle.

The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
Luke 8:14

The soul’s original purpose in creation was to preserve the life of the body, but the corrupted soul’s new goal is to guarantee an unimpeded flow of comfort, ease and pleasure at any cost. Yielding control to God’s Word seems totally unsatisfying to a soul bent on its own selfish pursuits. It is so ironic that when you place your faith in Jesus, all the needs of the soul are met.

31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans strive after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Matthew 6:31-33

Further, once delivered from this soul-beast, the promises of God, the Joy of Hope, the abundance of eternal life and the indwelling Holy Spirit of God bring such a sense of peace to the human soul that returning to a life of sin and disobedience becomes inconceivable.

So typical of the wise and aged Apostle John, are these words which pinpoint this whole issue precisely:

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
1 John 2:15-17

Jesus, Savior, Lord and Judge of the universe, delivered this truth to us plainly in John 3:19-20

And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
John 3:19-20

What is Faith?

We began this chapter with a geeky dive into Hebrews 11:1. I would encourage you to take the thirty minutes or so necessary to read Hebrews chapters 1 through 10. The author of Hebrews makes the strongest case possible for human minds to accept that we are living in the age of faith in Jesus. Ever since God revealed His very first promise of redemption right there in the Garden of Eden, just moments after the fall, and all the way through every Patriarch, King and Prophet, the timeline of history was marching toward the age of Jesus. Better than the covenant of Noah, better than the covenant of Abraham, better than the law of Moses, Jesus is the high priest and sacrifice of a new covenant of redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation and new eternal life.

Faith is that strength to apprehend a future hope through Jesus. Faith is the plan that you stick to no matter what, placing Jesus directly between your current situation and the future hope that you won’t ever compromise. Without Jesus, all hope is lost. Without Jesus there are no positive future outcomes. However, when we hear about Jesus and His part in God’s plan of salvation for the hopeless, we have a reason to hope when we plug Jesus into our future simulation.

Not just any fact has the ability to generate hope in our lives. We can attempt to “believe” in good works to save us. We can try to imagine that we’ll be reincarnated. We can deceive ourselves with false prediction data to discount our hopelessness completely, but the only Truth that can actually save us and bring us Joy in our Hope is Jesus.

In the midst of a lengthy discussion on faith, Romans 10:17 throws in this simple truth:

Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

The possibilities of the invisible world are only possible through hearing Jesus’ words.

At the point in their lives when hope was just about lost, Jesus told the disciples,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:7

PREV: Hope