What Faith IS
Dr. Marilyn Neubauer
Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, (From living by faith) My soul has no pleasure in him.
It’s very clear in this scripture that if we draw back from living by faith, God has no pleasure in us.
If we are told to live by faith, then It’s vital that we understand what Faith IS and what Faith IS NOT.
In the following scripture, God is telling us exactly what faith IS.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is substance, something tangible that we can see. Faith gives substance to what we hope for, but we must first have hope.
Hebrews 11:1 AMP Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, (the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
There was a time when I hoped my mortgage would be paid off and my faith brought that hope into reality.
The bank then gave me the TITLE DEED. My home now belonged to me and not the bank.
Every human being has natural, human faith.
Heb. 11:1 is speaking about supernatural faith. Faith that believes with the heart rather than our physical senses. Faith believes what the Word says regardless of circumstances.
This supernatural faith grabs hold of the unrealities of hope and brings them into reality.
It’s important to note that Hebrews 11:1 begins with the word ‘now’. God is talking about now faith, today’s faith, not yesterday’s faith.
The word ‘now’ is present tense.
Hebrews 11:1 Moffatt Translation: Now faith means that we are confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see.
Therefore, today’s faith, sees the invisible and our confidence in that brings what we are believing for into reality.
Once convinced of what you do not see, your faith
will bring it into reality.
The eye of faith sees first what the natural eye does not yet see.
Abraham is a perfect example of being fully persuaded in what he could not yet see with his natural eye, that God would bring it to pass in the natural realm.
Romans 4:17-21 As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations” in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; (Maybe your situation seems dead, BUT GOD – He can bring life to dead situations – only believe) And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. (The facts have proven their bodies can no longer produce a child) BUT GOD – Faith in God reverses any and all facts) Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced (fully Persuaded – trusted in God with ALL his heart) that what God had promised He was also able to perform. God is always able to do the impossible.
Abraham was confident in what he hoped for and convinced of what he could not yet see. And God brought it to pass through his faith.
Once again,
Hebrews 11:1 Moffatt Translation: Now faith means that we are confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see.
Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Like Abraham, (Father of our Faith), we must get to the place where we are FULLY persuaded,
Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
What do you have hope in? Faith will bring your hopes into reality.
If you sense your faith is getting weak and you’re feeling hopeless, keep yourself built up by praying in the Holy Spirit.
Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.