G1 International

Arto Boa’s devotional book The Keys,
Faith is Real

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old
received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so
that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” (Heb 11:1-3)

The children were asked at school to explain: What faith is?
One answer was something like this: “Faith is to convinces oneself on something that isn´t true. It´s something like believing in father Christmas.” But is faith like this? Is faith trying to convince oneself something to be true? No, Faith is God´s reality´s testimony in our heart and in our mind. Faith doesn´t base on a lie, it’s not jumping on empty space, in the word´s actual meaning. Faith basis in the Word of God! Our faith´s ground and base is the Word of God. By His Word God created everything.

In the letter to Hebrews it says, that God´s Word is living and powerful. It feels amazing to think about the enormous power of God´s word, by which all was created in the beginning. The letter to Romans says about faith: “faith comes from hearing, but hearing through the Word of Christ.” Faith is to straighten oneself according to God´s Word. It´s not straightening oneself into false things, but straightening oneself according to the truth. So the faith given by God is believing in FACTS, not convincing oneself.

From where do we get today this faith, that faith that is believing in facts? The answer is already given earlier, we can get real faith from the Word of God! Read it! Listen to it! and this Word shall generated real, God given faith in you. In this God given real faith strong trust is not born in you from circumstances that you are living, but to Jesus Christ. Real faith is always matter of leaning towards Christ, because Jesus Christ is the truth. Faith is given us as a gift, but why? Because the salvation couldn´t otherwise be enduring. For example, if salvation would come through your own deeds, would you get saved? If the salvation would be out of man and man´s deeds, who would be saved? Nobody. But because salvation comes through faith, it´s a gift from God and will be enduring. Without deeds, without merit we get as a gift a strong faith to our Lord Jesus Christ and we can enter to our Heavenly Father´s presence.

You have been given the Holy Spirit, which guides you to lean to that, which isn´t yet visible today. How big God we have, God who is trinity, loving God has given you a firm trust to Him. Faith is, that you see to the reality – disbelief is denying the reality. You may have a fight today with such an external things, which tempts to leave the faith. But don´t do that. External things are just temporary reflection of the reality. Don’t doubt God, He is always speaking the truth to you! If you need to doubt something: Doubt the lies of the devil, he is the father of unbelief! Faith is a paradox. You can be free – but still in the prison. Hungry – but inside nourished. From the lives of Bible heroes in faith, we can learn an important lesson. They didn´t give up their faith for anything. Not tiredness, failures, wrong advices, accidents or criticisms. Instead they gave up everything else because of their faith. They lived an interesting life, which God had planned especially for them.

Today, don´t you give up your faith for any reason. Do instead a firm decision: I´m ready to give up anything else because of my faith and I want to live the life, which God has planned for me. Straighten up today towards the truth, all is not yet visible – but already reality. Keep your sight in Jesus, He died at the cross for you, that is the reality. That was real! He suffered the death at the cross for you! He died substitutionary death that you wouldn´t need to die for your sins. That is real! Be therefore ready to receive even the sufferings. Jesus Christ has already prepared the exit for everything, through faith to you. No matter in what situation or circumstance you are. So reach out with joyful heart and put your trusting faith towards living God. Straighten your sight toward Christ and your faith ignites burning again.