Faith.. Faith on?

Hebrews 11:1 -Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see

This is quite a famous definition of faith and most of the believers can quote this even from sleep. While examining this closely, we see 2 words here which are quite significant. They are "confidence" and "assurance". This distinguishes hope and faith. We often exchange the words hope and faith. In reality, they are quite different. Once I read online which distinguished these 2 terms quite nicely. Hope is joyful expectation and Faith is certain expectation. Hope is simply an outcome which we desire with expectation. Faith is something that is certain to happen, with expectation as well.

Here in Hebrews 11, we see faith is not something that we hope for. But it is something in which we have confidence and assurance. How does this simple hope become a certain faith? It is not the level of faith a person has. Many modern preachers make people fall into the trap that it is the level of faith which determines the outcome. It is quit dangerous! It is not the mindset of a person. Or not just confidence level of a person. It does not work that way.

What matters is, object of faith. Faith should be anchored on Jesus Christ. Faith anchored on anything other than Jesus will not please God. It is this object of faith which gives confidence and assurance. Hope of the promises of God become assurances because they are based on Jesus Christ. I can write to someone that I owe them money in a piece of paper and even sign it. It will not hold good in court. Because it is based on nothing. However, something in a bond will hold good legally. It is still the same message and same signature. And both were made out of paper. But one is legally accepted and other is not. Faith is similar to that. One might hope for eternal life. It is an assurance only when it is based Jesus Christ and His work in Cross.

Bible says if we have faith like mustard seed, we can move mountains. Uproot trees. It does not mean if we have a very weak faith. Being very doubtful or anything like that. It is not just the level of faith a person has, which determines the outcome. It is object of faith which determines the outcome. Even faith like mustard seed, when rooted in Jesus Christ, can produce tremendous outcome. Because it is God who has promised and He is the one who brings it to pass. In other words, Faith outside of Jesus Christ is a mere hope with no assurance!

Your thoughts on this topic? Feel free to add..
 
'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen. '

(Heb. 11:1)

Hello@Ravindran,

Hebrews 11:1, is not a definition of faith: it simply illustrates the action of faith: in taking what is promised and making it present; and taking what is unseen and making it visible. We have many precious promises, but praise God that they are all ours, 'in Christ': He is the substance and He is the evidence of what comprises the Hope laid up for us. The word Hope has no uncertain sound when used by the Holy Spirit, it is sure and steadfast.

For the Hope set before Him, our Saviour endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now sat down at the right hand of God. Yes, and it is upon that same faith, in the promises of God laid up in Him, that we stand fast. Our Hope is solid and sure, having the faith of Christ as it's substance.

Praise God!

In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
Hope has to do with the future, faith has to do with the past. Faith has nothing to do with future events. Faith does not believe it is going to get anything in the future, and if we think that is true, then we are not walking by faith, but hope. Faith is always "now" not future (Hebrews 11:1). Hope has to do with not seeing something, as it is written, "hope that is seen is not hope......" (Romans 8:24) What hope can not see, faith can which is why "faith is the substance of things hoped for....". Faith always has vision to its end result before that result takes place in the physical. If we can not see it we will never get it.
 
Faith in the Greek is "a strong conviction" about something. A belief. Doubt is wavering between two opposing views. We have faith that when we flip the switch, the lights will come on. When the power goes out because of a downed power line, we don't have faith in the lights will come on if we flip the switch. Actionable faith is flipping the switch in the storm and believing the lights will come on. Faith in what God has done already is the evidence that it's complete. Hope is of things we cannot yet see. If we're sick, we see sickness, not health. Faith says I have the strong conviction on what is already complete (by His stripes I am healed) and seeing the thing (health) hoped for. Faith is not blind. Even in the OT God said "come let us reason together"! Everyone has faith about something, but faith in God's promises allow for the impossible, the improbable, and the unbelievable to be manifested because through the finished work of Christ, all promises are YES!! and AMEN!!! 1 Cor 1:20. All one has to do is ask and believe, Mark 11:22-25. HAVE FAITH IN GOD, Jesus starts out. Have a strong conviction in God. So it boils down to: do you have a strong conviction, based on the word of God, confess it and believe it and receive it? :D
 
Back
Top