Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 9:44 am +0000 Posts: 1773
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I think it is important to understand the difference between faith and belief. There is a fundamental difference between them despite the fact that we tend to use them interchangeably. Belief is a personal conviction in the existence of something often manifested by creed, dogma, laws, etc.. Faith, on the other hand, is a living relationship with God manifested through trust, loyalty and confidence. Faith is a personal religious experience, whereas belief is an intellectual experience.
Quote: .Belief is always limiting and binding; faith is expanding and releasing. Belief fixates, faith liberates. But living religious faith is more than the association of noble beliefs; it is more than an exalted system of philosophy; it is a living experience concerned with spiritual meanings, divine ideals, and supreme values; it is God-knowing and man-serving. Beliefs may become group possessions, but faith must be personal. Theologic beliefs can be suggested to a group, but faith can rise up only in the heart of the individual religionist. p1114:06-7
Do we say, "I believe in God," or "I have faith in God'? There is a difference. If we merely believe in God, we may be only conscious of an idea about him. But, if we have faith in him, he becomes a personality present within our lives. In other words, the idea of God, the belief that he exists is just a beginning step. The second is to have faith that he is actually present in our lives, which then results in the desire to be like God our Father, something mere belief cannot do. Faith is active and results in religious living through the recognition of living truth.
Quote: John asked Jesus, "Master, what is the kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus answered: "The kingdom of heaven consists in these three essentials: first, recognition of the fact of the sovereignty of God; second, belief in the truth of sonship with God; and third, faith in the effectiveness of the supreme human desire to do the will of God--to be like God. And this is the good news of the gospel: that by faith every mortal may have all these essentials of salvation." p1586:01
The problem with facts and beliefs is that they are at the human and material end of the spectrum whereas truth and faith are at the spiritual end to which we are all progressing. Along the way, what we believe to be true is entirely relative and subject to change. Faith, on the other hand, is the firm foundation upon which all else is built. Beliefs come and go, facts change but faith assures us of constancy and growth. Beliefs are our personal convictions based upon our emotions, traditions, education, culture, etc., whereas faith is trust, loyalty and devotion based upon personal religious experience. Beliefs may cause doubts, but faith results in assurance.
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