What Faith Is

[Heb. 11:1-3,6; Ps. 33:6,9]

Faith, is really misunderstood and there are many strange ideas of what it is. The Bible tells us what faith is, but first, let’s look at some things that faith is not.

Faith, for instance, is not positive thinking; that is something quite different. Faith is not following a hunch. Faith is not hoping for the best, hoping that everything will turn out all right. Faith is not a feeling of optimism. Faith is none of these things, though all of them have been mistaken as faith.

Describing faith is much like defining electricity or magnetism. It is easier to simply say that they are invisible forces which have real beneficial manifestations.

There are many examples of the manifestations or results of faith in scriptures, but Hebrews chapter 11 is the only place in the Bible that gives the recipe of faith. The first three verses and the sixth verse, taken together, help define faith for us. Here we see the ingredients of faith:

Heb 11:1-3 (KJV) –[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [2] For by it the elders obtained a good report. [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.

Heb 11:6 (RSV) –And without faith it is impossible to please God. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

[11:1] The word faith is used 24 times in this chapter. From the Old Testament the primary idea is “faithfulness” or “trustworthy.” The Greek word for “faith” (pistis) is translated “faith,” “belief,” and “trust.” Faith is a human response to God and His promises.

This Greek word for “substance” (hupostasis) basically means “to place under” or “to stand under,” thereby giving the underlying basis or foundation of something. It had a wide variety of meanings in the ancient world. It was especially common in Greek philosophical writings to denote the clear manifestation of something. It was that which was real and true as opposed to unrealized.¹

The “evidence” elegchos (e’-leng-chos) is the “proof, or conviction.”

“Things not seen,” We understand that physical reality is subordinate to the unseen spiritual reality (cf. Heb. 11:3). Physical reality is known by the five senses, and is not eternal, but fleeting. True, eternal reality is unseen (cf. Heb. 11:27) and; therefore, must be held by faith, not sight. However, it is so real and true to believers that it controls and demands their priorities.

“Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen.”²

[11:2] The saints of old, “obtained a good report” has been translated many ways;

• NASB “gained approval”
  
• NKJV “obtained a good testimony”
  
• NRSV “received approval”
  
• TEV “won God’s approval”
  
• NJB “are acknowledged”
  

Obtained a good report. Literally, “were witnessed of;” that is, they gained God’s approval because their faith. These forefathers were successful because of their faith.

[11:3] The worlds were framed by the Word of God. This tells how God created “the worlds,” not just our earth – by His Words.

Faith is the substance [the ground] of things hoped for [or expected], the evidence [or proof] of things not seen [because they are in the spiritual realm].

[11:6] The Father does not enjoy it when we doubt His Word. But He rewards those who trust and draw near and to Him.

The assurance of things hoped for propels us out of complacency and satisfaction, and causes us to imagine and hope for a better, deeper relationship with the Father. The expectancy of His promises activate the seeking and drawing near that pleases the Father. This is the opposite of apostasy.

Ps 33:6 (KJV) –By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Ps 33:9 (KJV) –For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

No Faith – No answers

In Genesis we see that the Lord spoke, and it was. His words were used to dispense creative power. Many people don’t believe in creation. They say there was a “big bang.” When you ask them what caused the big bang, they have no answer.

Heb. 11:3; Ps. 33:6,9 – tell us that God created the universe by His Word. He said, “Light be!” and it was. And He wants us to operate the same way, because we are His children. We are in His likeness and image. We are speaking spirits with free wills. We can choose words of faith or words of doubt and unbelief. We decide to complain about how things are, or we can proclaim words of faith to bring about change. When we know this, we begin to speak to things and command them to align with God’s will. God operates and functions by faith, and He has told us to be imitators of Him.

Jesus is our example – He talked to trees, wind and waves, unclean spirits, sickness and disease. He did these things as a man, anointed by the Holy Spirit. And He sent the same Spirit to us! And gave us authority to use His name! If we believe Him, then we will do as He did – and even more!

¹Utley, Bob. You Can Understand the Bible (Bible Lessons Int’l 2014)

²The Jerusalem Bible (Doubleday 1966)

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond