Pastor Terry Cheek Th.D.

www.theinspiringword.org

The Inspiring Word has been published in the Blue Ridge Christian news for around five years, and I want to thank the staff and readers for allowing me the privilege of being associated with them as we work together to encourage, edify and evangelize the Mountains and foothills. The men women and youth who read this publication come from many walks of life. For example, the church member, the seeker, those behind prison and jail house walls and those who enjoy the liberty of freedom daily. Regardless of where we live we should realize there is no understanding God or His word without faith. Don’t be misled; I’m not talking about putting together a wish list, expecting God to grant it. Faith has nothing to do with wishing. For those reading this I would like to help you find, develop or even to some degree better understand faith. Maybe you already know the content of this month’s article, if so pass it along for those who don’t. Hebrews 11:1 tells us “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Many of us have heard and even read this verse of scripture but how much of it do we really understand? There are three key words we should understand, they are faith, substance and evidence. Let’s briefly look at these as we unpack faith to better understand the role it plays in our life.

There is one scripture many understand as the definition and meaning of faith: Romans 1:17 (definition) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, (meaning) The just shall live by faith1. Parenthesis added. The expression “faith to faith” speaks of a progression of faith. There is found in scripture six kinds or expressions of faith. Let’s look at them briefly. Doctrinal faith, a.k.a. “the faith,” speaks of Christian belief (Jude 3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Ibid). Saving faith is knowing Christ and Him alone for salvation (Acts 16:31 “And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” ibid). Justifying faith is the believer’s confidence of the fact that God has declared him righteous only through Jesus Christ (Gen. 15:6 “And he (Abram) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” ibid). Indwelling faith is trusting that Christ lives in and through us (Gal. 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” ibid). Daily faith is the saint’s day-by-day dependence on God which is part of our sanctification (2 Cor. 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight: ibid). The gift of faith is an ability of faith, providing a vision of what God can do, it is faith that is how we achieve that vision, and the power with God to receive answers to prayer (Heb. 11: 1–3 “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. ibid). We find ourselves at the same verse of scripture that we began with. What about substance? The definition of the word can be easily found in any dictionary, but we must remember our Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. English translations are wonderfully accurate, but there are times we must go the original language to understand the author’s intent. “The substance” is used to translate the Greek word hupóstasis which is a feminine noun identifying the saint’s assurance. From Hebrews 11:2 above, we have assurance by faith those before us obtained a good report or lived the life our Bible testifies of. Then from Hebrews 11:3 we have assurance by faith that everything in our Bible is true and accurate, it is inspired and inerrant.

Having looked a faith and substance let’s give evidence some attention. Again, we will go to the Greek for our beginning. “The evidence” is used to translate the Greek word élegchos which is a noun identifying the power of faith to convict or persuade. This word doesn’t imply a charge or accusation, but the manifestation of the truth of that charge and the consequences of it; also, the acknowledgement, if not outwardly, yet inwardly, of its truth on the part of the accused.

So, Faith is the principles which guide and grow the saints of God, substance is the assurance provided to the saints of God and evidence is the conviction and consequences of Faith’s work in the life of the saints of God.

Now, what does this brief study of faith reveal to you about these verses? “Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”