Hebrews KJV 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is an invisible work of God. Salvation comes by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:10). I have found in teaching scripture, the majority, do not know what biblical faith is or its true purpose. Faith has been re-invented so it is attractive to the world. The same thing has been done to the cross of Christ.
My education – I stopped going to church when I was seventeen and I did not return until I was close to 50 years old having received the gift of true saving faith. For 30 years I lived with my faith in things that, in reality, offered no hope, no peace, and no security. But had you ask me I would have told you I believed in God and Jesus. What I have found among professing believers, which is what was revealed about myself, is the belief that faith is about you and for your purpose.
There are many who have gone through the wide gate and are walking on the broad path to destruction believing they’re not, either because they don’t want to hear the truth or no one is telling them the truth. This study will be a scriptural look at faith for anyone looking for the truth.
Of course there are many verses on faith,
391 in the Old Testament and
301 in the New Testament in the NKJV.
We will look at Hebrews 11 which tells us
1) what faith is,
2) what faith does, and
3) what drives faith
So, it appears there will be several studies on this subject.
What Is Faith
Hebrews KJV 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Simply, faith is knowing the things we (believers) hope for, though they are unseen, are ours in reality. In other words, the faith of believers trusts absolutely what has been fulfilled in Christ will come to pass, even though it can not be seen right now. The foundation of faith and hope is of the utmost importance because everything is built upon what you believe. So, here we go.
Galatians 5:5 KJV 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
hope-1680-elpis (from elpo, “to anticipate, welcome”)- properly, expectation of what is sure (certain) hope
by HELPS Word-studies
Practical – Let’s ask the question, do I have saving faith. Is my faith activated by signs that are seen or is my faith in the unseen God? Why, is this distinction important?
Hebrews 11:6 KJV 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Because if there is a faith that pleases God then there is one that doesn’t. The faith that pleases God has 3 aspects
1) God exists,
2) God is a rewarder, and
3) faith diligently seeks Him
Pleasing Faith
This is faith that believes God, Jesus, is the “I AM.” That is, Jesus is the eternal, always existent One. The Creator not created. How do we know we have this pleasing faith?
Hebrews 11:3 KJV 3 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.
We are taken all the way back to Genesis 1:1. Here we have a benchmark, do you believe the first verse of the bible. The I AM created all things in Genesis.
How? God spoke (Hebrews 11:3).
In Genesis we find God and the Holy Spirit but what about the Son.
Colossians 1 KJV 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
So, here we are, God given faith gives the understanding that all things were created from God’s spoken word. Put another way, God created something from nothing. God given faith gives the understanding things were not created for our glory but God’s.
God given faith understands all things were created through and for Christ Jesus, God. This is by no means complete but it is foundational. In researching and reading I found lots of articles and writings by professing Christians who do not believe this. Their theories (guess), philosophies (man’s wisdom), and opinions (man’s thoughts) go against the account of creation in Genesis. I heard it all for 30 years and they all have their foundation based on man and not God. It is saving faith, not intellectual faith, that gives you this understanding.
When I received saving faith, that is pleasing faith to God from God, my reward was and is Christ Jesus and all His promises of my eternal future. It was and is the Holy Spirit that causes my heart to diligently seek God (Psalm 27:4). The foundation of faith is God, in Christ, by the work of the Holy Spirit.
For me, the faith I have now gives me great comfort, Why? Because at one time I had put my faith in people only to find they were no better off than me irregardless of what you saw on the outside. But now, I trust in the Lord God the great I AM, Creator of all things, Who is the Sovereign. I am no longer His enemy. He is my heavenly loving, protecting Father.
Keep reading on to What Is Faith – Activity Of Faith Part 2
