Thursday, September 24, 2009

Faith: The Demonstration Clause

In my note, "What is Faith?" I attempted to begin a strong definition of faith. I highly encourage you to read that note before this one, so that things will make much more sense. In this note, however, I hope to explore another crucial idea that is foundational for a true understanding of faith. You see, we Christians claim to know about the power of God. We talk about miracles and deliverance and tell everyone we know about how awesome our God is. But we have a very serious problem.

No one is demonstrating his power.

Those on the outside ask us, "Where is your God? Where is this power you speak of?" They challenge and cry out to us, "Stop talking and SHOW ME!!!" This is where the Demonstration Clause of faith comes in. Our faith is not only made up of our experiences with God and the evidence that supports, but also in demonstrating who He is. The Apostle Peter knew this. In Acts 3 we see the famous story of Peter, John, and the man at the Temple gate. When the beggar asked for money, Peter gave him what he really needed: healing. Peter and John demonstrated God's power. Scripture said that those around them were amazed at the power of God and what had happened to the lame beggar. We can see all three "faith builders" in this story. I mentioned experience and evidence in my last note on this. Now I believe I can show you how all three components of faith really work.

1.) Experience- This primarily benefits believers. Christians tend to have events that occur in their lives that cannot be empirically explained (salvation, healing, dreams, visions, etc). John and Peter saw and went though such things. They also experienced the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, something also unexplainable by empiricism. This is the first building block for faith.

2.) Evidence- This benefits both believers and non-believers. There are many things in Christianity that can be explained through empirical evidence. For example, historical accounts of Jesus (aside from the Bible) and scientific proof for events such as the Resurrection are evidences that both strengthen our knowledge and defense of the faith and gives non-believers reason not to doubt these happenings. Peter and John had seen with their own two eyes the ministry, miracles, transfiguration, crucifixion, and ascension of Christ. The evidence for Him was overwhelming. The Apostle Paul even said that if he was not to be believed, to ask the many eyewitnesses if he was right about Jesus. People today who doubted such things as Jesus Resurrection are now saved because they believed the evidence presented to them. This is the second building block of faith.

3.) Demonstration- This is primarily for the benefit of non-believers. If there are people who do not believe in healing, when witnessing someone being healed as demonstrated by the power of God could certainly change that person's mind!! When Peter healed the crippled beggar, those around them were astonished and amazed. Believers are the ones through which this demonstration is carried out. This is the third building block.

Now, to explain why I have said all this. These three things work together, in a circle so to speak, so that one relates directly to the other. There is, however, one problem. We aren't demonstrating enough. We've had plenty of experience and we have tons of evidence, but we don't really demonstrate. I believe, as people of faith, we are called to demonstration. Why aren't we laying hands on the sick and they are healed? Why do we sit around and talk about healing and deliverance when we are supposed to be going out to heal and deliver people? If this is such a key thing to faith, why have we dropped the ball? I say, it's time to fix this. I say, it's time to live out all three aspects of faith. I believe that without these, faith is not complete. We may know that our faith isn't wishful thinking, and we may be able to prove that it isn't, but can we show that it is truthful? People don't just want words. The want to see those words come to life.