The Worth Of Knowing

I think we need to have a little imagination to have faith. Because faith in the gospel is embracing that there is hope. And hope is something we can’t fully see but rest and find joy in anyway.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭ESV‬

What a gift that Biblical faith is both reasonable and yet not airtight. It leaves room for the unseen, hope, imagination, and emotions without being foundation-less.

Truth is, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are historical events we all have to come to terms with. We can have as much certainty about them as any other historical event. They were carefully recorded “that you may have certainty” (Luke 1:4) that they happened. Know your history, study apologetics, and rest in knowing that you do have reasons to believe that Jesus in not only a historical figure, but also the Son of God and Savior of all who believe.

BUT

Just because we can have certainty that Jesus is a historical figure does not mean that the truth of the gospel is able to be proven without a doubt. If it were we wouldn’t need faith. If it were able to be proven we would be living by sight not by faith. (Hebrew 11:1-3, 1 Corinthians 13:12)

But we are called to live by faith. We are called to let the gospel turn our lives upside down.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

How do we do that if the gospel is reasonable, but not prove-able? What do we do with the unanswered questions that the space between reasonability and provability leaves?

Hope (Hebrews 11:1).

How was Abraham able to obey God (Who Abraham had reason to believe, but not the ability to prove existed) and leave the comfort of the familiar even though he didn’t know where God would lead him?

“For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” Hebrews‬ ‭11:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

He was focused on finding something unseen and unprovable. Abraham fixed his attention on this hope. In all likelihood this involved letting himself dwell on what it would be like – glorious, beautiful, secure … And then he acted in obedience based on faith. Not certainty.

It’s as if God knows that reason alone is not what tips us over the edge into something new (like trusting Him more). Letting ourselves imagine the love of God that is unknowable is sometimes the very thing we need to trust enough to actually live a life of faith (Ephesians 3:19). This “imagining” or dwelling on the unseen is accepting that we can’t prove without a doubt that God exists let alone loves us. It’s based on what God has told us about Himself, ourselves, and our future. It is not foundation-less, but acceptance of knowing in part and giving ourselves permission to believe fully anyway (1 Corinthians 13:12). It is letting ourselves see God as good without seeing it with our physical eyes. It’s – dare I say it – worshiping “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23, 24).

It’s also commanded:

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:2-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

That space between reasonable and prove-able can be what keeps us searching for more of God, what keeps us humble, and what keeps our relationship with God vibrant rather than a list of facts. It speaks to the emotional, curious, imaginative side of how God made humans. It’s the part that can spur us to hope and change and rejoice and weep and worship God with every aspect of who we are.