{"id":54127,"date":"2025-06-14T07:52:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T05:52:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/the-reality-of-faith-is-different-than-you-think\/"},"modified":"2025-06-14T18:28:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T16:28:38","slug":"the-reality-of-faith-is-different-than-you-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/en\/the-reality-of-faith-is-different-than-you-think\/","title":{"rendered":"The reality of faith is different than you think"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”433427″]Spiritual is the opposite of \u201ctangible\u201d. What takes place \u201cin the mind\u201d does not seem so pretty and desirable. It is abstract and therefore more difficult to grasp. It’s easier to grasp what you can grasp. Those who sense and feel can sense and empathize. They are human mechanisms. Faith, however, works in a different place. Faith is encountered as a spiritual reality.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”150664″]Paul, in his circular letter to various churches, later called Ephesians, mentioned right at the beginning that God blesses us. This is very positive, because God blesses with every spiritual blessing in the midst of the heavenly ones in Christ (Eph 1:3). But there is a catch: we ourselves.[\/vc_column_text][vc_button button_color=”color-wvjs” radius=”btn-round” border_animation=”btn-ripple-in” border_width=”0″ link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fkernbeisser.ch%2Fen%2Fwhy-faith-is-not-an-effort%2F|target:_blank|” button_color_type=”uncode-palette” uncode_shortcode_id=”141006″]Why faith is not an effort[\/vc_button][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”600329″]<\/p>\n

Not tangible<\/h3>\n

After these opening verses, Paul describes how we are blessed \u201cwith every spiritual blessing\u201d. It lacks nothing. However, the nature of this blessing is spiritual and therefore intangible. Paul supplements this by pointing out that this blessing of God is \u201cin the midst of the heavenly ones in Christ Jesus\u201d. So there is nothing here on earth. We are talking about spiritual blessing and that is not in us, but in Christ. This has advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n

One disadvantage<\/strong> is that it is not in us and cannot be felt. On the surface, you don’t \u201chave\u201d any of this in the here and now. Time and again I have met people who were looking for practical benefits from their faith in everyday life. They want to understand, sense and feel. They wanted concrete and immediate relief from current problems. This gave them advantages in this world. Some therefore asked themselves \u201cWhy else should I believe?\u201d. I can understand that, but that is not what was promised. Your own idea does not have to be realistic. Or rephrased: The giver, not the recipient, decides on the gift. You can accept or reject it.<\/p>\n

However, there are also benefits<\/strong> of a spiritual blessing that is not even in us, but in Christ. Consider, for example, that this blessing is in good hands at the source. The blessing is certain there. I can relate to this blessing, but I can’t spoil it. The blessing is protected from me, but I can still rely on it. A spiritual blessing may not be directly noticeable, but the effect in peace, confidence and joy can certainly be experienced.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”664576″]<\/p>\n

Sealing<\/h3>\n

In the further course of the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul explains more details. He speaks of God’s love, which has led to this blessing (Eph 1:5). He also speaks of redemption and of God’s grace in which we are set free (Eph 1:7-8). Towards the end of the chapter, he makes another statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Him you also are who hear the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation – in Him you also are who believe, sealed<\/strong> with the Spirit of promise<\/strong>, the Holy One (who is an earnest of our lot<\/strong> until<\/strong> the redemption<\/strong> of our portion) to the praise of His glory.\u201d<\/em>
\nEph 1:13-14<\/p>\n

The sealing that Paul is talking about here is in the sense of figurative language. It is not about a visible or tangible seal. It is also a spiritual reality and it is again \u201cin Him\u201d, i.e. \u201cin Christ\u201d.<\/p>\n

We are sealed in Him.<\/p>\n