What is Faith? No, it has nothing to do with God!
Posted: Thursday, April 03, 2008
by Jim Murdoch
Wings of Change
Let me start with a famous quote by a great guy who knew what he was talking about:
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11v24) In my years (decades) in the Christian scene, I observed that this promise was not believed: "Sorry Jesus. You might be right about many things, but you're wrong with this one!" No one actually said this, but their lives and words did. They didn't believe it. They had no faith. Jesus said quite clearly to ask for anything, yes anything - no Christian qualifiers here, and believe that you have already received it, and it will be yours.
What Jesus was talking about is the same thing you hear and see all over the Net and TV and numerous books, even in my blog and articles. It is sometimes referred to as the Law of Attraction. It is nothing other than knowing WHO YOU ARE.
Of course, my title is not strictly true. It is not true because God or Divine Power permeates all of us and the whole universe. God's life force is what gives us all existence. Actually, we are all part of the One consciousness, we all belong together, God included. So in a sense the title is also true. The source of life is deep in our being. All we have to do is to tap into that to get what we want. Knowing and accepting this is sufficient to begin a life of faith.
Faith is nothing other than the instrument to release divine power from within. Faith can be defined as believing in something with certainty. If a child is promised by his father that when he comes home he will bring a surprise, the child will wait in excited anticipation and certainty that daddy will come home with a surprise. If, however, that child has been disappointed and daddy came late or forgot the surprise, and the promise is made again, the child may believe his father, but the certainty will have gone.
Many live their lives like the disappointed child. They believe but they have convinced themselves that nothing will really change, life will just go on and we have to accept whatever it brings our way. This is fatalistic thinking and is a mindset many hold to.
FAITH DESTROYS FATALISM! Faith is our secret weapon to get the life we want. With faith nothing can stop us getting what we want. The only problem is, we better be wanting something good.
"Ask" is the first step Jesus mentions. Before you ask you must be sure and clear about what you want. Maybe its health, money, a job, a relationship, a vacation, a color TV, a business deal. Whatever it is be clear about it. Write it down, get pictures, visualize it in every detail. And like the expectant child, get emotionally excited about it.
The next step is to "believe that have received it". Wow! Now you need to see that thing you desire as already in your possession. Can you do that? Of course you can! Go to a quiet place. Close your eyes. Take some deep breaths to calm your mind. Now, build the picture in your mind of what you want to receive. See it! Its there isn't it, even as you read this and think of the thing you want, you can see it. Now add detail, color, sound. See yourself interacting with the object or person, or being in the event, or seeing the healthy person do the things they would normally do. Visualize it in every detail, and give thanks for fulfillment of your desire. Be grateful for the thing already received.
Do this a few times each day and before you know it step three is fulfilled: "It will be yours".
This is nothing magical. It is also not dependent on God hearing or not hearing. You see, God as set laws in the universe, rather like our natural laws of physics. What I have just described is in accordance with these laws. As Jesus said, if you say what you want, visualize it and see it already in your possession, then you will have it. Have faith, in yourself, and live the life you deserve.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Hi Jim, I have to say, your articles always get me thinking. It's obvious we disagree on a few things, but I do appreciate how you make your points. I struggled with how to comment, as I respect you as a fellow writer and friend here on SW. I will keep it brief and I hope you know this is not meant to be arguementative in any way. I had a hard time with your explaination of this passage from Mark. I was wondering what you thought of the entire context of what Jesus said before and after the passage you quoted. Jesus began his statement in verse 22 in response to Peter's astonishment of the fig tree. He began with "Have faith in God." Jesus was clearly teaching that we recieve by faith because it is God who provides and answers. Never are we told in this passage or any other passages that we are to believe in ourselves and visualize having anything. He said pray believing that God will do according to his will. So the qualifier in receiving the answered prayer is to have faith in God. He went on the say in verse 25 that as you pray, remember those who you need to forgive. As you mentioned you don't believe all Scripture, but obviously you believe some, so my question is do you not believe verse 22? What about John chapter 15 vse 5 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you." Again, another verse that qualifies the recieving by abiding in Him, nothing about believing in yourself. Maybe I am mistaken, but I cannot remember one passage of Scripture where we are told to believe in ourselves to get what we want. I appreciate your help. I really want to understand how what Jesus taught in the Scriptures matches up with your explaination. Your friend, TeresaHi Teresa, please excuse my delayed reply (to everybody). I am currently in Las Vegas for a conference so I haven't got checking whats going on. Thanks Teresa for your comments. Actually I stated that our faith has very much to do with God (if you ignore the provocative title :)). It is His divine power that we are having faith in. As for the visualizing, how do you "believe that you have received" something without visualizing it? Its impossible. That's how the mind works. To see the thing in our minds as if we already possess it is only the result of faith. of believing without a doubt. Such faith can only come from a knowledge of God's power and the laws he has put into place. Ah, John 15, my long time favourite, and one which has taken on new meaning. Please understand that neither the Old Testament as we know it nor the New Testament were in existence when this was written. So what "words" could Jesus be referring to? Nothing other, in my opinion, than what God has spoken and continues to speak. Is this not the Bible you might ask? Yes, but not exclusively. I do not believe that God wants us to read a book (although that can help). I believe Jesus is speaking here about what God stands for, His principles. It is about living according to the laws of the universe - give and you will receive - believe and you will receive - think and you will become, and many more. Its about living God's way, not adhering to doctrines. Teresa, I don't think we are so far apart in our thinking. I used to think the way you do, but so much has happened to help me see things differently and not just the way I have been told to see them. I wish you God's richest.
Jim, I have heard of child sexual predators asking God for a new victim. To them it is "good." Both sides of the Civil War called upon God and thought Him to be on their side. Perspective is everything.Hi Ken, you are right. The question is: what colors our lens of perception?
Jim, hang on to what you know to be true to both your heart and your eyes. The fanatical aspects of all religion is based on the argument of who god belongs to. Spirituality is, on the other hand, your own. Keep on owning that which is yours and keep on pursuing the faith that drives you. If the predator knows god he is no longer a predator.Thanks Jeff. Who is the predator?
hi jim, thanks for an interesting take on what so many of us do daily, ask God for help in one area or another. however, i also believe things can happen that are not what we pray for, or imagine in our heads, because He knows better, and in that case, it's a matter of acceptance of His wisdom. best regards, sue thomHi Sue, If that was true then why has God repeatedly told us to ask anything of him and he will give it? Your theory makes God the disappointing dad who doesn't keep promises. I like to believe that if God says so thats good enough for me.
jim, i mean, for example, that i have been praying for God to allow me to stay in my home upon an upcoming divorce. if i can't, and i have to move, i may find i like it better where i am, even though i prayed and prayed to keep my home. if i can't, and i accept it, and move on, what i prayed for didn't happen, but something even better did, best regards, sue thomSue, I agree that we should not settle for anything less. It is either what we request, providing no one is disadvantaged by it, or something better. I believe God gives us the ability to dream in order to experience the receiving of our desires. Remember God gave the promise. Too many people are caught up wondering what does God want. He's asking us what do we want.
Dear Jim~ some time ago I wrote and article called 'Faith~What Is It & Where Do I Get It?'...and now, here I find this beautifully written piece by YOU! I once heard Maya Angelou's son say that his mother had 'faith like a rock'...and I thought...I wish I had that. I love your analogy of the child and her father...because that is EXACTLY what happened to me (and, I'm sure, lots of people). You ask for something, wanting it with your whole heart, only to be disappointed. But the other side of that coin is (a line from a Garth Brooks song) 'sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers, remember when you're talking to the man upstairs that just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care, some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers'....and this is SO true. Sometimes God knows much better about what is right for us...and THAT is where my own faith has led me. I thank you for this missive. It helps tremendously! Camille OliviaHi Camille, thanks for the comments, and thanks too for joining my fan club. Keep asking and keep believing. Jim
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