One worth learning

How have you got on learning the catechism? I admit, that I'm not able to repeat many of the answers for the catechism so far... but, this is one I am going to learn.  Let me encourage you to learn this answer too!

Q30.  What is faith in Jesus Christ?

A. Faith in Jesus Christ is acknowledging the truth of everything God has revealed in his word, trusting in him, and also receiving and resting on him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Some points to note:

• Faith has content

Faith is seen as a leap in the dark; a step into the unknown.  Faith takes over when science has reached its limits; it seeks to explore things we cannot understand. Nothing could be further from the truth. Faith has content.  It is grounded in the truth.  It is stepping into the light, not a stab in the dark. Sure, there are still questions.  There are things we don't know, or can't explain.  That is because they haven't been revealed to us.  But in his word; in Jesus, the Word, God has revealed to us everything we need to know for our salvation. And faith begins by saying - all that God has revealed to us, is true.

• Faith is more than what you know

It is even more than WHO you know.  It is about what you do, with what you know! You can know all about Jesus, but not have faith in him.  To have faith in him, we need to trust, receive and rest in him. We have to act on what we know.  If we say we know this is true - they prove it is true by resting in it.  Put your whole weight on it.  Lay all your hopes, dreams upon it. Ultimately, as Jesus is offered to us in the gospel - we lay all our hope on him on the day of judgement.  We rest in him, and him alone, for our salvation. I think the phrase

'receiving and resting on him alone for salvation'

has a simple beauty to it.  Learn it.  And be sure to live it.