Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the confidence that what God has promised will come to pass, even when we cannot see it yet. It is not just hope, but a firm trust in His faithfulness. Hope looks forward with expectation, but faith rests in the assurance that God’s word is true and His purposes will be fulfilled. Even when we do not yet see the outcome, faith reminds us that God is working in the unseen.
Understanding what faith is and how it applies to your connection with Him is crucial for the furthering of your relationship, your understanding of the Word, and spiritual growth. When you understand how to make faith tangible and indulge in it, it’s easier to experience God in his fullness.
In this post, we’ll discuss the importance of faith, what it truly is, examples of faith, and what the Bible has to say.
Ready?
The Assurance of the Invisible
To illustrate what faith is, we’ll use the example of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac. This is described in Genesis 22.
God wanted to test Abraham’s faith. He said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Abraham was distraught, but he loaded up his donkey, taking two servants and Isaac with him. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the mountain God had shown him. He told his servants to stay while he and Isaac went up the mountain to worship.
Isaac asked his father where the sacrifice was. Abraham said, “God will provide.”
Finally, they summited the mountain. Abraham bound his son with rope and took out a knife to kill him, but then God called out to Abraham and commanded, “Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Does He Sacrifice Isaac?
In the thicket, there was a ram, and Abraham sacrificed the ram instead of Isaac. Since Abraham was willing to sacrifice his one and only son, God told him, “I swear by myself that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me.”
Abraham loved and had so much faith in God that he was willing to kill the only son – his only chance of continuing his bloodline (a big deal back then) – for Him. He believed that God would provide and loved Him so much that he would kill his son, who he had worked really hard for (his wife was old and Isaac was a miracle baby).
That’s true faith. It’s a leap of unshakeable trust in the face of uncertainty despite what your heart and soul tell you. It’s the joyful anticipation of a future filled with His grace. It’s a powerful and innate force that defies all logic in the face of darkness.
What Does the Bible Say About Faith?
The Bible says that faith is a belief in God and his promises, even when you can’t see God. Here are some NIV verses that describe faith, since it grows through the Word.
- Hebrews 11:1 says faith is; “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
- John 7:38; “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
- Romans 10:10; “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
- John 11:25–26; “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
- Mark 10:52; “‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’”
The Bible says that whoever has faith in Him will have eternal life and will be saved.
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