What Is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
What Is Faith?
In an earlier post, I said that faith is not feeling, it is not hope, denial, circumstantial or even mental agreement. What then is Bible faith? In Hebrews 11:1 the Bible describes faith as, "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I like how Moffatt's translation of this verse reads; "Now faith means that we are confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see." Note first that we must have a hope, something we need or are working towards. It could be spiritual, social, material, physical, vocational or educational. Whatever we desire in life, that has not yet been realized is a hope. Hope is always in the future.
Faith is always in the now, the present. The hopes that seem to be somewhere in the distant future, can become realities in the now by faith. Faith takes hold of the hopes not yet realized, and brings them into the realm of the now. Faith gives substance to hope. Without faith, hopes never become realities. Hope waits but faith takes. Another translation reads, "Faith is the foundation of things hoped for." Wilson's translation reads, "Faith is a basis of things hoped for." Williams translation says, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for." But I like the Montgomery's translation. It reads, "Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for." One writer describes title-deed as a body of documents bearing upon a person's property, providing the proof that the property is owned by the particular party. A title-deed is proof of ownership. It proves that what we are believing for is rightfully ours. No wonder Hebrews 11:6 says that it is impossible to please God without faith.
Faith is also the evidence of things not seen. Faith says that invisible things exist and we are convinced of their reality. On thing that concerns many Christians is how things will come together. They try to figure out in their own minds how the situation will turn around. But that is not our concern. When we have faith, we believe that, even though we don't know or understand how things will change, we are convinced by the Word of God that all will be well. It is important to remember that Bible faith is based on the Word of God and not on our own thinking. Many Christians try to operate in faith apart from the Word of God. That is unproductive. The Word of God must become our source for faith. That is why it is important to constantly feed on the Word of God in order to keep your faith strong and to deflect any attack from the enemy. The Word of God is faith food, and just as we nourish our bodies by eating healthy food, our faith is nourished by feasting on God's Holy Word. Have faith in God! Again I remind you that God honors faith because faith honors Him.
Prayer: Father thank you for the power of faith. Help us to internalize these truths, so that our faith may be effective in receiving from you all that we desire. In Jesus name. Amen.
