Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Hebrews 11:1 is the only place in the Bible where we are given a very clear definition of what faith is. The writer tells us that faith is the substance of our hope and the evidence of the unseen spiritual realities.
The greek word for substance means to have actual existence or presence. And the greek word translated as evidence means to show proof. So Hebrews 11:1 could read, ‘Now faith is the actual existence of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen.’
In 2nd Kings the prophet Elisha was able to see and hear the plans of the enemy and communicate them to the King of Israel even though he wasn’t anywhere near the enemies camp. In 2nd Kings Chapter 6, when the enemy had surrounded the city Elisha was in, everyone was afraid except Elisha. He could see the Army of the Lord when no one else could (until he prayed for his servant).
In this case, Elisha’s faith in God allowed Him to know what physically took place in a secret meeting, and his faith allowed him to see something that was spiritually taking place that no one else could see.
Faith isn’t always a revelation of a physical reality, but it is a spiritual revelation of the unseen that will change our inner thoughts and our outward expression.
Therefore faith isn’t just hope for God’s eternal promise. Faith is also entering into a spiritual reality that is taking or will take place.
In America, we don’t experience this definition of faith on a regular basis. Consequently, it’s easy to write it off as being radical. But what if we don’t experience this faith because we are so distracted by the cares of this world that we don’t truly surrender ourselves to the heart of God?
What might be holding you back from full surrender to the will of God for your life?
REDEEM THE TIME 