FAITH-What is it really about?(Heb 11:1-6)

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen-Heb. 11:1"
When a skydiver jumps out of a plane, it is with the hope that the parachute he has on, will not fail. Now, he may not have previously tested the parachute himself but based on the recommendation of the manufacturers and probably from experience, he has to trust that the parachute will not fail him. Now, for a skydiver, it is easy to trust because man believes mostly on what he sees and feels, and it becomes easier when one has certain information to back up ones trusting in whatever it is that needs one's trust. We could also examine the case of a man who chooses to move when he sees the green light on a traffic light at a cross junction. This decision is based on the trust that, the traffic light should have stopped the other cars on the adjacent road. Also, this trust is as a result of previous knowledge on how traffic lights work.


"It comes by REVELATION"

Now let's examine faith. Our scripture reference defines faith has "the substance of things hoped for". That means it is tangible, hence the use of the word "substance". It also calls it the evidence of things not seen, so faith is not based on what we have done or seen before. Now, the skydiver may trust in the manufacturers word but as long as the manufacturers are humans, they are still bound to fail. As believers, our faith is not based on the knowledge of the situation, but on that that of the word of GOD. That is why the book of Romans 10:17 says "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". Also if we go further in our main scripture reference(Heb.11), to verse 6, it says "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [HIM]: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that HE is, and [that] HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM". Now, before faith, comes the word of GOD. And an in-depth knowledge of GOD's word reveals to us the true nature of GOD. Verse 6b, says that HE that comes to HIM must first of all know that HE is! It takes knowing a man to really place anything in his care. So faith in GOD, is developed by the revelation of  who GOD is and the capability of HIS might!


"It is an expression of total confidence in GOD"

Yes, faith is an expression of confidence in GOD! Like the skydiver, you jump out of the plane, knowing that on your own you cannot fly, but you just hope the parachute does not fail you. So also, when we exercise faith, it's like telling GOD, I'm totally confident that as I jump, I may not know how to fly, but I'll land safely. It is not asking GOD to prove HIMSELF so you can trust HIM, but it is believing and trusting GOD, and letting HIM prove HIMSELF! Noah had never seen an ark nor had he experienced rain before, but he went ahead to trust GOD, and of course, GOD proved HIMSELF!



"It is more than what we have, it is what we do!


"Faith is more than what we say or have, but also something we do. True or genuine faith is always backed up by actions! From the book of James 2:17-26, we see that faith without works is dead, like the body without the spirit is dead! Action is the spirit that gives life to your faith! Noah did not just say to GOD, "I believe that you can do all that you have said" but he went ahead to start building the ark as GOD had instructed him. When we say we trust GOD, we must demonstrate this by acting! The proof that the skydiver believes that the parachute would help him land safely, is not in his words but in the act of jumping out of the plane. 



"It requires OBEDIENCE!"

Faith can also be seen as an act of obedience to GOD's word, be it RHEMA or LOGOS. When GOD ask us to do things that are not logical to the human reasoning, it takes true obedience to adhere. The man that truly has faith, would follow GOD's instruction to the letter, no matter how odd it may seem. Remember that Adam fell due to disobedience. If we examine closely, we would discover that it was lack of total confidence in GOD, that would make a man trust in the word of another over that of the ONE that created him. Our faith will most times remain dead if we lack the spirit of obedience, because it is often what is required to take action! 



In conclusion...

2 Peter 1:5   "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;"

If we read further in that passage, we see that there is a build up, with faith being the foundation. If a believer must grow, it is not without faith! It is when we have had faith, that we the add virtue, and then knowledge and so on. It is through faith that we have a relationship with GOD. Heb 11:6- "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [HIM]:...". We cannot come to GOD(fellowship) with doubt about whom HE is. Faith also frees us from the fears of failure and the troubles of this life. It allows us love others without the fear of rejection. It is through faith that we are saved and enjoy GOD's blessings. My last words? Move above hope, for it is frail and enter the realm of FAITH!