From the Pulpit: The Assurance of Things Hoped For

Dean Randy Hollerith says there's a big difference between faith and belief, and it's all tied up with trust and — yes — doubt.

Likening a life of faith to a high-wire act, Randy described a life of faith as taking a journey without a map. We may not know exactly where we’re going, but we trust in God’s promise never to leave or forsake us. That, he says, is faith:

For some reason, in the modern era of Christianity, we have gotten faith all tangled up with having the right set of ideas in our heads. We’ve gotten faith tangled up too much with belief. We equate faith in Jesus with believing the right things about Jesus: I have faith when I believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he walked on water, that he’s the third person of the trinity that he ascended into heaven and I don’t have faith if I don’t believe those things.

Now, I do believe all of those things, but that doesn’t mean I have faith. It just means I believe that certain statements are true.

Now, by contrast, if I am someone who struggles with doctrines and belief, if I am someone for whom doubt is my constant companion in my spiritual life, that does not mean I do not have faith. We think that doubt is the opposite of belief, but doubt is not the opposite of faith. Doubt is a part of faith because faith is, first and foremost, trust — not belief.

I have faith in Jesus when I trust in the promises of Jesus; I have faith when I trust in the way of Jesus and take the risk to mold my life on his life and his teachings; I have faith when I trust in Jesus enough to follow Him, even though I may not fully understand him, but when I am willing to make a bet on him that He is the way of life.

Jesus says, ‘Do not be afraid, little flock for is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom, sell your possessions and give alms.’

It’s one thing to believe Jesus when he says this. It’s quite another thing to trust Him enough to actually do this.