What is the source of true faith? (homiletical notes in Advent reflections)

Most often, many people have the idea that faith is the result of human efforts and efforts to gain God’s approval for its attempts to build a relationship with Him. Most religious traditions and practices teach that because man is a highly spiritual being, he has enough resources to connect with God. However, the Word of God tells us that human faith is not a reliable foundation and source. Apostle Paul wrote: «for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God» (Romans 3:23), human attempts to establish faith end in apostasy and idolatry (Exodus 20:4-5). God wants to establish true connections with his creation and save man personally (John 15:16, Matthew 16:13).

Therefore, if a person himself is not able to establish a true relationship with Jesus and to save himself as well, then where can he get True faith, so as not to confuse it with various illusions or fantasies, as false prophets often did, who were rebuked by true prophets (Jeremiah 23: 9- 40).

Let’s focus on several aspects:
1. Infidelity to one degree or another can be manifested even in the True Church of Jesus Christ
A) The Apostle Paul wrote and reminded that some of you (believers) do not know God (1 Cor 15:34)
B) Among those who possessed great power from God (this is about Judas Iscariot) — went against Jesus and betrayed Him.
C) Disciples of Jesus Christ who followed him did not believe in the fact of resurrection from the dead at first
C) The case of Ananias and Sapphira proves that among the true miracles and signs of God, there can be wicked Christians who demonstrate unbelief and infidelity.

2. One should focus not on the fact of «I believe-I don’t believe», but on the Personality of Jesus Christ and learn His will and ways (Hebrews 12:2)
   3. The source of faith is listening to the True and unadulterated Word of God, adhering to the «sound science» of faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28-29, Luke 2:16-21, 1 Samuel 15:22)
   4. The source of true faith is the ability to see not what you have not received, but what you have here and now (1 Timothy 6:8, Jeremiah 15:19)
   5. The source of true faith is deep self-understanding, repentance, conversion and daily rapprochement with the Creator (Matthew 3:8, Jeremiah 25:5, Matthew 4:17)
   6. The source of true faith is a God-born desire for change and a renewed mind (Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 22:37-39)
   Thus, the source of True faith is Jesus Christ Himself, the source of Divine, not human faith (Mark 11:22-25). It will lead us to eternal life and make us fruitful in love for the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Euegene Raspopov