“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the substance: defined as the true source, the possessing of the true, real and solid confidence, and the driving element; by which we know we possess now presently and in the future an inheritance of things: (salvation in Christ, eternal life, glorious body, God’s faithfulness, His promises given and kept, rewards, provisions, objects of faith, etc.) (I Peter 1:4), of which our hope (faith) stands. These God shall also consummate (complete in us) in glory by Christ Jesus. Faith in our mighty God, our Prince of Peace: Jesus Christ our Lord, which moves mountains, stops the mouths of lions, slays the giants, parts the red sea, makes it a dry ground, heals the sick, opens the eyes of the blind, the deaf to hear, giving eternal life, cleanses us from all sin, through His blood (Amen), the forgiveness of sins, and much more. (Blessed Be His Holy Name)
Faith is the evidence: meaning the proof, the confirmation, the very fact; of the spiritual realm, (Heaven, Hell, Spiritual Battle; Fourth Dimension; Spirit World; Unseeable Entities and Objects) (“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” Daniel 10:13); of whichwe cannot see with the naked (bodily) eye (“…not seen.”). (“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” II Cor. 4:18) (See Heb. 11:3) Yet we know they are there. Along with this, faith is the very fact of how we have witnessed the Lord’s salvation, goodness, provision, protection, guidance, etc. (the evidence); thus, knowing with absolute assurance the Lord shall keep His Word and continue keeping His promises toward us, (things not seen) (Eph. 1:8, 2:7; I John 4:9).
Faith is to receive (believe) what God has declared to us through His Word and trust (believe) in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ whom He hath sent (John 6:29). Receiving Christ Jesus: as your personal Saviour and Lord (John 1:12); your only propitiation (payment) for thy sins with no self-merit of any of thy works or being (Rom. 3:23-26; Titus 3:5-6). Fully resting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification (Rom. 4:5, 23-25; Heb. 4:3). Moving us to love, obedience, and service to Him by His Word and His Divine Spirit to good works. (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14)
In the very fact of unseen things (spiritual battle and of the Lord’s futured continued promises toward us), faith is changed into reality (substance). So, we thus with conviction direct our lives according to His Word.
One obtains this precious like faith by His Word: (“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17) (“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23) Not of man’s endeavors or standing but in Christ Jesus alone. (“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom. 4:5) (See John 3:3-7) The Divine Holy Spirit working and convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment by the Word of Christ. (See John 16:8-14)
In the grace of prayer, we have by faith the solid assurance if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us, (I John 5:14-15); with the wonderful help of the Lord’s Divine Holy Spirit, (Rom. 8:26). Thus, our faith in Him culminates in the speech and actions of our lives and is the foundational source by which we direct our lives, (Heb. 11).
Just as the elders of old manifested faith in life and the planets formed, we know through faith, came by the declaration of Jesus Christ the Almighty. (“For by it the elders obtained a good report. 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.” Heb. 11:2-3) (See Ps. 33:6,9) We must understand, my friend, the omnipotence (power) of the Almighty. Absolutely nothing there is that the Almighty God cannot do. (“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37) Amen!!
By this faith we knowour Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is with us: in the fight of faith, in this life, and in the life to come. (“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt. 28:20) (See Heb. 13:5)
We know we fight in this faith an unseen enemy. (“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6:10-12) (“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” II Cor. 10:4-5) Fight this good fight of Faith and lay hold onto eternal life, Jesus Christ.