Hebrews 11:1


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

There is no other verse I can think of which declares what true faith is by definition. Eternal life depends on the existence of faith, for it is our goal at the end of life here on earth. Faith gives that reality to the things hoped for. Faith lies in contradiction to what is unreal or imaginary, for faith in fact imparts reality into the thoughts and mind and heart. Though we may not see what we hope for, faith distinguishes between those things which are unreal and illusive, and enables us to feel and act as if they were real. The interesting aspect about faith is that as long as it continues, whether it is well-founded or not, it gives all the force of reality to what is believed. We feel and act as if it were so, or as if the object were before our very eyes. We do not see God, or heaven, or angels, or crowns of glory, but we have faith in them. I may pray that the “mountains” surrounding a situation will be moved by God’s heavenly realm, and I believe it to be so, and the mountains are moved and God intercedes in the situation. I will pray in the power of Jesus’ name, and believe that His name is above all others and this earth and all in it is under subjection to His name, and movement happens. That is faith in what is hoped for and the assurance of what is not seen. A Christian has faith and hope, not because we have seen heaven or angels, or a body raised from the grave, but we do have evidence that God has spoken about these things and that God’s word and nature have convinced us that it is so. We view the promises and unseen things as though they were so because we have confidence in the Lord Jesus as the Saviour of the soul.  

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