Unquantifiable Faith

Faith is not derived through natural means. The evangelist said that it is, “evidence of things not seen”. We can only see the effects of faith, but not the cause for it.

Faith is supernatural so therefore imbued with supernatural capabilities. This means you cannot quantify the supernatural, nor limit its results. Proof of this is when Jesus said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you”.

Jesus had to express the power and capabilities of faith metaphorically not only so man could grasp the concept, but also because faith cannot be defined by any singular means or act. We can show examples of faith, but since there are no boundaries to faith it is impossible to define it through any one act.

Faith surpasses the natural knowledge of man.  It requires the intervening inspiration of God.

“It is a manifest work of divine inspiration that, spurning visible things, men should seek only what is invisible” (Thomas Aquinas).

Because faith cannot be substantiated by natural means is no cause to dismiss it. It is important to remember that only the unrighteous and untrue opposes the righteous and true.

Man’s inability to comprehend should not be the cause for opposition. If we can’t determine the cause of faith then we should judge faith by its effects. That’s what Jesus asked us to do.

“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.” (John 10:11) 

“If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” (John 10:37-38)

If they didn’t believe Jesus, then they should believe the works that He does. In other words, judge the tree by the fruit it produces. Faith is no different. If you can’t believe in faith, then at least accept its effects, the results of faith as validation of faith.

“Now, the knowledge of the principles that are known to us naturally has been implanted in us by God; for God is the Author of our nature. These principles, therefore, are also contained by the divine Wisdom. Hence, whatever is opposed to them is opposed to the divine Wisdom, and, therefore, cannot come from God. That which we hold by faith as divinely revealed, therefore, cannot be contrary to our natural knowledge” – Thomas Aquinas.

Faith is a gift from God. Faith then becomes as natural as the air we breathe to a child of God. Even our faith in God was given to us by Him.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for, “he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

We must believe that God is (cause) and that God is the rewarder (effect) of them that diligently seek him.

As the evangelist said, “the time would fail me” (Hebrews 11:32) if I attempted to give all of the examples of what the faith of God in us has done already

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The unquantifiable faith. It is a gift from God to His children, capable of moving mountains.

Bill Hitchcock