Faith is an expression of spiritual awakening. It is hope in the exisstence of the God beyond sight. As God reveals himself via his Word, prayer, experience, events, the believer's faith is increasingly replaced by the reality of himself. Our faith is replaced by knowledge of the truth.
Members gather inside a classroom. The room is dark and one can touch others, feel their presence, and hear the mumbling of voices, but we cannot see. Among the sounds, we perceive that we hear the voice of the teacher but cannot quite decide. Someone asks us the challenging question, "Is our teach present?" Our belief must be relied on in the absence of assurance. It is the proper time for the class, it is reasonable to expect the teacher to be present; therefore, we will act and talk in a way that assumes that he is. The available evidence gives voice to our faith expression.
"Yes, I believe so."
The lights are gradually brought up. Out of the darkness, shapes begin to form and the teacher's familiar physical outline becomes more drawn. Our confidence in our answer is increased and our assurance grows and replaces that uncertain part of faith. Finally, the lights are on fully and we know for certain that, indeed, our teacher is present!
As our eyes received more light, as we acted on the light available to us along the way, our faith grew until replaced by "knowedge."
"Now, I know he is here with us."
Likewise, a Christian will eventually mature in faith beyond its need. I no longer "believe" that God exists or that Jesus is his Son. I know it as surely as I know my own wife and children. I do not have faith that God will do the right thing in any circumstance. I know he will. I no longer have fiath that God will bless me or disapline me whenever I need one or the other, I have complete confidence that he will.
Faith has been replaced by knowledge as a seed is replaced by its flower.
The only unkown is in God's future plans and individual works. The outcome of which lies not in the measure of faith as it does in the being to which the training faith illuminates. Waiting for the Christian beyond faith and hope is ultimate love and peace and joy. There is an eternal universe to be explored in this new land. A land delivered to us by the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ.
