Rev. Peter C. de Vries, Ph.D. has served Old Union since November 1993.
To learn more about Rev. Dr. de Vries, go to FaceBook, Linked-In, or his blog.
FROM THE PASTOR
“Faith” is an important word for us Christians. But when we use this word, we often mean several different things.
At times, we use “faith” to describe what we believe. Faith is the content or the substance of what we hold to be true. For example, when we talk about “the Christian faith,” we refer to the things that we believe as Christians. When we “share our faith,” we are telling others about our beliefs. Faith in this sense is something to preserve, to examine and explore, and to invite others to believe as well. The challenge for us with faith is to consider carefully what it is that we believe, rather than simply accepting whatever others tell us about God.
At other times, “faith” is not the content of our beliefs, but the action that arises out of our belief. When we put our faith in Christ, we trust that he will care for us, guide us, and redeem us. To “have faith” goes beyond simply believing something to be true; it means that we rely upon it. We trust that it (whatever “it” is that we put our faith in) is something we can count on. While we as Christians put our faith in Christ, there are many other people and things we can put our trust in. For example, you might trust in your retirement savings to provide for you in your golden years. Or you might trust your spouse to be there for you when you need them. There is a place to put our faith in other people or things, but as Christians we recognize that the only one who will never fail us, who is always reliable, is our Lord Jesus Christ. When we veer into putting that sort of faith into someone or something else, we run the risk of turning it into an idol that takes the place in our hearts that belongs to God alone.
But there is a third way to understand faith: giving permission. Technically, it’s an extension of our second understanding: of putting our trust in God. But the focus for this third understanding of faith is upon God’s actions and not our own. My second description is something we do: making the decision to trust and rely upon God. We are in the driver’s seat; we are in control of the process. Faith is our choice. But this third form of faith – giving permission – relinquishes that control. It means that we step out of the way in our own lives so that God can work his will within us and through us.
You can only reach this third level of faith after you have passed through the first two. The first level of faith is your understanding, however incomplete, of who this God is that you trust. The second level of faith is a decision to open your life to God as you understand him. It means that you have chosen to rely upon him. The third level of faith goes one step further. The issue is no longer about your decision to trust God; it means that you are no longer the one making the decisions. When faith means giving permission to God, you get out of the way so that God can do whatever he wants. You no longer invite God into your life; you hand him the keys and let me take you wherever he chooses.
Giving God permission like this can be challenging and even frightening. It is also the greatest adventure you will ever experience.
Peter
“Faith” is an important word for us Christians. But when we use this word, we often mean several different things.
At times, we use “faith” to describe what we believe. Faith is the content or the substance of what we hold to be true. For example, when we talk about “the Christian faith,” we refer to the things that we believe as Christians. When we “share our faith,” we are telling others about our beliefs. Faith in this sense is something to preserve, to examine and explore, and to invite others to believe as well. The challenge for us with faith is to consider carefully what it is that we believe, rather than simply accepting whatever others tell us about God.
At other times, “faith” is not the content of our beliefs, but the action that arises out of our belief. When we put our faith in Christ, we trust that he will care for us, guide us, and redeem us. To “have faith” goes beyond simply believing something to be true; it means that we rely upon it. We trust that it (whatever “it” is that we put our faith in) is something we can count on. While we as Christians put our faith in Christ, there are many other people and things we can put our trust in. For example, you might trust in your retirement savings to provide for you in your golden years. Or you might trust your spouse to be there for you when you need them. There is a place to put our faith in other people or things, but as Christians we recognize that the only one who will never fail us, who is always reliable, is our Lord Jesus Christ. When we veer into putting that sort of faith into someone or something else, we run the risk of turning it into an idol that takes the place in our hearts that belongs to God alone.
But there is a third way to understand faith: giving permission. Technically, it’s an extension of our second understanding: of putting our trust in God. But the focus for this third understanding of faith is upon God’s actions and not our own. My second description is something we do: making the decision to trust and rely upon God. We are in the driver’s seat; we are in control of the process. Faith is our choice. But this third form of faith – giving permission – relinquishes that control. It means that we step out of the way in our own lives so that God can work his will within us and through us.
You can only reach this third level of faith after you have passed through the first two. The first level of faith is your understanding, however incomplete, of who this God is that you trust. The second level of faith is a decision to open your life to God as you understand him. It means that you have chosen to rely upon him. The third level of faith goes one step further. The issue is no longer about your decision to trust God; it means that you are no longer the one making the decisions. When faith means giving permission to God, you get out of the way so that God can do whatever he wants. You no longer invite God into your life; you hand him the keys and let me take you wherever he chooses.
Giving God permission like this can be challenging and even frightening. It is also the greatest adventure you will ever experience.
Peter
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | [email protected]
724-538-8672 | [email protected]