Move Over, Dwayne Johnson

Here’s a fun fact: Dwayne Johnson is a little behind on the nickname game. While he seems to enjoy it when his fans chant his moniker, I can’t help but wonder if he knows that there was a dude catching fish and doing stuff two thousand years ago who just so happened to be called Κηφᾶς (Kephas) … The ‘Rock’.

That’s right, Dwayne. Move over.

Today, we know Kephas as Peter. He probably didn’t have cool merch like Dwayne does – though he may have sold an occasional tunic with a fish printed on it – but instead, he left us something far more valuable. He wrote multiple letters to people throughout the Roman Empire.

This is what we read at the beginning of one of Kephas’ letters:

‘Now, in this very same way as you apply all diligence,

add to your faith moral excellence,

and to your moral excellence, add knowledge,

and to your knowledge, add self-control,

and to your self-control, add perseverance,

and to your perseverance, add godliness,

and to your godliness, add brotherly kindness,

and to your brotherly kindness, add love.’ (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Kephas was one of Jesus’ students. He traveled around with Him and took notes. This line he writes above is filled with big, meaningful words. We have actually already discussed one of these words in a previous contemplation (click here to read about that).

Today, I want to focus on faith. Originally, Kephas used the Greek word pistis.

I find that faith can be a term that is a bit difficult to grasp. We use it a lot, but what do we really mean by it?

I think faith can be encapsulated quite well in two words: confidence and courage (read more about confidence here).

Confidence

When an individual’s actions and words align;

When they show me that their character truly is as they present it;

When they continuously adhere to values aligning with my own;

…They gain my confidence.

Knowing these things about an individual allows me to anticipate how they will respond to upcoming situations. This does not mean I need to know exactly what someone will do; but instead, that I can trust them to stick to their values and remain integrous.

Here is an example that demonstrates this confidence in someone:

If I have seen my friend Bob lovingly care for pets in the past, I will extrapolate that he likes and values animals. Therefore, I have confidence in him and will not hesitate to ask him to take care of my dog.

Courage

If action is movement, then courage must be its engine.

Without courage, we would be stagnant, paralyzed by fear.

Without courage, we could not act on our confidence.

Courage is the ability to do something despite there being no promise of a favorable outcome. It is not the absence of fear but a display of defiance in the face of fear. It is overcoming fear and forcing movement when complacency seems easier in order to uphold integrity or remain faithful to values.

Faith

Finally, we have the combination of confidence and courage – faith.

Perhaps a good attempt at putting this powerful term into concise words would be this:

Evidence points towards something being true, yet as is always the case in life, 100% proof does not exist. However, observing enough evidence will breed confidence in a matter, allowing a decision to be made: Is this matter true or not? Upon making a choice, action is required to incorporate this new understanding of reality. This is where courage comes in, as it becomes a requirement to act on the decision.

This all sounds complicated, but it is actually quite straightforward.

It seems we are always living on faith.

Each time I get in my car and hit the road, I am putting confidence in my driving abilities as well as the other drivers on the road. Then, I am summoning the courage to act on this confidence and not be fearful of the dangers on the road.

When I buy a sandwich at the store, I do so with faith. I am trusting that the ingredients on the packaging are as they say. Why do I have this confidence? Maybe I have bought other sandwiches from this store and have found that the list is usually accurate. Why is courage necessary? The sandwich could make me sick, or it could be poisoned. Now, you may be thinking, ‘Oh come on, that’s crazy,’… but again, there are no guarantees. Confidence and courage are necessary.

Faith in God

Let’s go back to those lines penned by Kephas at the beginning of this contemplation. When he speaks of faith, he is obviously not speaking of faith in driving skills or sandwich makers but faith in God.

In his writing, Kephas is addressing people who already believe in God. He is telling them to have faith, and, in the verse following the part I quoted, he tells them to have faith increasing in them (2 Peter 1:5-7).

It seems he wants his readers to grow more confident in God’s character, His purpose for creation, and His desire for a personal relationship with them. As we have seen, confidence in someone is gained by first getting to know them. I can't have faith if I do not know God’s character. How do I learn about Him? Through scripture study and prayer.

But faith goes beyond mere understanding. It is the implementation of it. As I continue to grow in my relationship with God, I must consistently conjure the courage to apply what I have learned and live according to Jesus’ commands.

That is faith.