By Faith: What it Is
Understanding Faith: The Substance of Things Hoped For
Faith is beautifully defined in Hebrews 11:1-2: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report."
This powerful declaration isn't just a description but reveals what faith truly means in our lives. As we explore this passage, we'll discover how faith bridges the gap between our hopes and God's promises.
What Does It Mean That Faith Is Substance?
Faith is substance - it's the "stuff" we hold onto. While not something we can physically grasp with our hands, faith's tangibility comes from what we've placed our faith in and whether we allow it to be what we eternally rest upon.
If your faith is real faith, then it becomes real to you. Faith gives form and reality to our hopes. When Scripture speaks of hope, it's not referring to wishful thinking but to a firm foundation upon which we set our desires.
Why Do Christians Experience Peace That Passes Understanding?
When we follow Christ and allow God's Word and Spirit to direct our lives, we experience a peace that "passes understanding." This peace doesn't make sense to those who don't have it.
Many times when we try to explain what God is doing in our lives, it might sound outlandish or even crazy to others. But when you've placed your faith in Jesus Christ, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and God's Word, you have a substance to hold onto when difficult circumstances arise.
This substance brings a peace that won't make sense to someone who doesn't have that same foundation. The hope, peace, healing, and guidance we desire from God already exist in our hearts when we have faith.
How Is Faith Evidence of Things Not Seen?
None of us physically saw Jesus on the cross or witnessed His resurrection. We've never touched His nail-scarred hands or felt His breath. Yet through God's Word, we can experience these realities through faith.
Even though we cannot see God with our physical eyes, faith serves as undeniable proof of His presence and promises. Faith doesn't wonder if God will fulfill His promises - it knows He will.
For example, we don't need to worry about when Christ will return. Jesus Himself said even He doesn't know the exact time - only the Father knows. Our faith assures us that regardless of when it happens, nothing will stop us from eventually being with Him.
Just as we trust that wind exists though invisible because we feel its effects, we can trust in God's presence through the effects of His work in our lives.
Can Others See Your Faith?
When we truly experience God's presence through His Word and Spirit, it transforms us. Sometimes this transformation is so profound that it might seem strange to others who haven't experienced it.
There are moments when God feels so present during prayer and Bible reading that it's as if He's sitting right beside us. This intimate relationship with God through His Word allows us to feel His presence, witness His promises, and see Jesus Christ through those who yield themselves to Him.
What Does It Mean That the Elders Obtained a Good Report?
Hebrews 11:2 tells us that by faith, "the elders obtained a good report." These elders weren't special because of who they were - they were people with the same passions and inclinations to sin as we have. They needed the same faith that we need.
The heroes of faith we'll encounter in Hebrews 11 - Abraham, Moses, Sarah, and others - all lived by faith. They trusted God's promises even when circumstances seemed impossible. Their lives stand as testimonies to encourage us to live with the same unwavering trust.
How Does Faith Connect Creation and Our Spiritual Lives?
Hebrews 11:3 states: "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
This verse reminds us that God created everything from nothing. Humans can manipulate what already exists, but we cannot truly create as God did. The first law of thermodynamics confirms this biblical truth - everything that exists has been created, and nothing new is being created.
This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. We cannot produce anything of eternal worth apart from God's Word. Our faith, which comes from God's Word, produces good works that glorify God.
What's the Process of Faith Producing Good Works?
The process works like this:
The people in the "hall of faith" are there because their lives were given to God at some point through obedience to His Word. When we trust that only God can produce fruit in our lives, we experience both internal fruit (love, joy, peace) and external fruit (longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance).
Life Application
As we consider what faith truly means, let's challenge ourselves to examine our own faith:
Faith is not about faking it until you make it. It's about trusting God's Word so completely that it transforms who you are and what you do. What an amazing reality that God desires to use broken people like us to show His glory!
Faith is beautifully defined in Hebrews 11:1-2: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report."
This powerful declaration isn't just a description but reveals what faith truly means in our lives. As we explore this passage, we'll discover how faith bridges the gap between our hopes and God's promises.
What Does It Mean That Faith Is Substance?
Faith is substance - it's the "stuff" we hold onto. While not something we can physically grasp with our hands, faith's tangibility comes from what we've placed our faith in and whether we allow it to be what we eternally rest upon.
If your faith is real faith, then it becomes real to you. Faith gives form and reality to our hopes. When Scripture speaks of hope, it's not referring to wishful thinking but to a firm foundation upon which we set our desires.
Why Do Christians Experience Peace That Passes Understanding?
When we follow Christ and allow God's Word and Spirit to direct our lives, we experience a peace that "passes understanding." This peace doesn't make sense to those who don't have it.
Many times when we try to explain what God is doing in our lives, it might sound outlandish or even crazy to others. But when you've placed your faith in Jesus Christ, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and God's Word, you have a substance to hold onto when difficult circumstances arise.
This substance brings a peace that won't make sense to someone who doesn't have that same foundation. The hope, peace, healing, and guidance we desire from God already exist in our hearts when we have faith.
How Is Faith Evidence of Things Not Seen?
None of us physically saw Jesus on the cross or witnessed His resurrection. We've never touched His nail-scarred hands or felt His breath. Yet through God's Word, we can experience these realities through faith.
Even though we cannot see God with our physical eyes, faith serves as undeniable proof of His presence and promises. Faith doesn't wonder if God will fulfill His promises - it knows He will.
For example, we don't need to worry about when Christ will return. Jesus Himself said even He doesn't know the exact time - only the Father knows. Our faith assures us that regardless of when it happens, nothing will stop us from eventually being with Him.
Just as we trust that wind exists though invisible because we feel its effects, we can trust in God's presence through the effects of His work in our lives.
Can Others See Your Faith?
When we truly experience God's presence through His Word and Spirit, it transforms us. Sometimes this transformation is so profound that it might seem strange to others who haven't experienced it.
There are moments when God feels so present during prayer and Bible reading that it's as if He's sitting right beside us. This intimate relationship with God through His Word allows us to feel His presence, witness His promises, and see Jesus Christ through those who yield themselves to Him.
What Does It Mean That the Elders Obtained a Good Report?
Hebrews 11:2 tells us that by faith, "the elders obtained a good report." These elders weren't special because of who they were - they were people with the same passions and inclinations to sin as we have. They needed the same faith that we need.
The heroes of faith we'll encounter in Hebrews 11 - Abraham, Moses, Sarah, and others - all lived by faith. They trusted God's promises even when circumstances seemed impossible. Their lives stand as testimonies to encourage us to live with the same unwavering trust.
How Does Faith Connect Creation and Our Spiritual Lives?
Hebrews 11:3 states: "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
This verse reminds us that God created everything from nothing. Humans can manipulate what already exists, but we cannot truly create as God did. The first law of thermodynamics confirms this biblical truth - everything that exists has been created, and nothing new is being created.
This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. We cannot produce anything of eternal worth apart from God's Word. Our faith, which comes from God's Word, produces good works that glorify God.
What's the Process of Faith Producing Good Works?
The process works like this:
- God's Word tells us what to believe, what to do, and who to be
- When we believe these things, we follow them unwavering
- This faith produces good works
- These good works glorify God, not ourselves
The people in the "hall of faith" are there because their lives were given to God at some point through obedience to His Word. When we trust that only God can produce fruit in our lives, we experience both internal fruit (love, joy, peace) and external fruit (longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance).
Life Application
As we consider what faith truly means, let's challenge ourselves to examine our own faith:
- Evaluate your foundation: What are you placing your faith in? Is it truly in God's Word and promises, or are you relying on something else?
- Look for evidence: How has God worked in your life in ways that serve as evidence of things not seen? Take time to reflect on and document these moments.
- Study the faith heroes: Read through Hebrews 11 in the coming weeks. When you encounter each person of faith, go back to their original story in the Old Testament. Look specifically for how their faith was produced by God's Word and how it glorified God.
- Apply faith practically: Where in your life do you need to trust God even when you cannot see the outcome? What promise from His Word can you hold onto in this situation?
- Seek to glorify God: Remember that the ultimate purpose of our faith is not to make us look good but to bring glory to God. How can your actions this week reflect this truth?
Faith is not about faking it until you make it. It's about trusting God's Word so completely that it transforms who you are and what you do. What an amazing reality that God desires to use broken people like us to show His glory!
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