Faith is a process, not an event. There are three main aspects to faith:
- Believe in the experiences of others
- Seek to know what they know, gather evidence
- Persist in the search with patience
Believe
The knowledge of the world comes through things that we can perceive with our senses. They have weight, mass, color, sound, and so forth; they can be seen, heard, and felt. Because of this, they can be demonstrated to others. Chemical reactions can be demonstrated, and work every time; a whole class in college can observe the demonstration, and try it out themselves in the lab, and learn about what is happening, gaining an understanding of chemistry, physics, and biology.
Spiritual knowledge, however, is very different. There is no demonstration to others because it's all internal. It is hearing voices that nobody else can hear. It is seeing things with your spiritual eyes that nobody else can see. It is speaking to a God that nobody around you knows. All of the knowledge is very personal, and cannot be given to others. The only way we understand spiritual knowledge is by personally seeking, asking, and knocking on Heaven's door. Others may tell us their experience, but that doesn't give us the experience -- it cannot be given. But, it can be shared when each has the same experience.
Seek
On August 29, 2016 I had an experience that completely changed me. For forty years I had "wandered in the wilderness" not knowing where I was going. I believed that God lived, that Jesus was the Savior of the world, but in reality I didn't even know that I needed salvation. I didn't know I was lost. Against all odds, with little to go on, I persisted in seeking the Lord. I studied, prayed, and pondered daily on the things of God. I read the Scriptures, and the words of any who said they had experience with God. I took them as honest men, and believed in their words. I had to sacrifice many things on this quest.
The process of gaining spiritual knowledge, in a sense, is opposite from the knowledge of the world. Science starts with a tangible, observable fact, and works backwards to answer the questions of "what?" and "how?" Spiritual knowledge starts with only a word, a testimony, or the experience of another, and works forward to have that same experience. I read about so many others who found peace, love, and a connection with God. I wanted what they had, and persisted in seeking it. After many years, I have finally had the experience of forgiveness. I have been born again. I have a connection with God. I understand all the words of all those who worship the Lord. I understand the Halleluiah chorus, why people would sing praises to Him. I understand the Hosanna shout, why there is such joy in God and the Lamb. I understand why Christians, and even Christ Himself would be a martyr, suffering all manner of pain in the world.
All of the things I have heard others experience, and believed that they really did experience them because I had no cause to doubt them, I now have also experienced. I understand their experience because I have felt the same. "I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind, but now I see." I get it only because I have heard and read the experience of others so much, and now I have had the same experience and finally understand what they were talking about.
Faith is gathering information that nobody in the world can give me. I go to church to hear the words of others, but they can only tell their own experience, and cannot make me see what they see. In order for me to actually see it, I would have to seek that knowledge directly from God. He gives us the experiences of the spirit in His own time, and in His own way.
Patience
We cannot demand anything, or even expect immediate cause and effect. In science, it's easy because every time I put bicarbonate in the acid, I'm going to get an immediate, observable reaction. Spiritual knowledge, on the other hand, requires patience. Faith is patience, or waiting for the light to come. It is believing, and waiting. Abraham waited for many years to say, at the age of 62, "Thy servant has sought thee earnestly; now I have found thee." (Abraham 2:12)
Because we have no control over the acquisition of spiritual knowledge, it seems random and arbitrary, but it is not. The reason for this is that we are in the dark, and don't know what we don't know. Children often over-estimate their understanding and abilities, thinking they know everything, and are able to walk close to the edge of a cliff, ride a bike, light the fireworks on the forth of July, cross the street, or drive a car. When I was young I asked my mom about having children, and she told me, "When you get married, you'll know how to make babies." I never got "the birds and the bees" lecture. Our Father in Heaven knows our abilities, and when we are ready to receive any knowledge, it is given immediately, the same way any parent would teach their children. I often told my children to be patient, that when the time was right, they would get what they wanted -- and they did.
He is the Light of the world
Science starts with an observable fact that is demonstrable to all. Spiritual knowledge starts with only a word that nobody else can understand. The process of seeking to understand that word is called faith. I wish with all my heart that everyone in the world would seek the knowledge of God by faith -- by believing in my words, that I have experienced a mighty change of heart, and have seen for myself, and know by experience, that the words of the prophets are true. Jesus Christ is the Lord, the Savior of the world. Only through Him can we have any hope of salvation from death and suffering. He can, and He will, take upon Himself the consequences of our disobedience, if we desire. Even if you don't know you need salvation, you do. Believe me, you do. And, all it takes is to come to Him, repent of all your sins, and ask for mercy. His grace is sufficient for all, no matter who you are, or what you've done.
I will add my word to the many testimonies that have been given of Him. I have seen. I know for myself that He lives. Believe me. I have no reason to lie. Everyone must be "born again" through faith on His name. The longer you wait, the longer it will take, the more patience you will need. Faith in Him is knowledge, light, mercy, grace, and love. This is truth. Discover it for yourself:
- Believe in Him.
- Seek Him.
- Don't give up!
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