HEBREWS 11:1-3: BIBLICAL FAITH
Faith is a word mentioned quite
often in the church. However, it is mentioned without any understanding of what
it is other than a vague idea. I would dare say that the word itself is rarely
used in any other context than a religious one. That is because so much of what
we do and believe in a religious context is based on faith. Because it is so
unclear to many people, the definition given might vary from party to party.
Nonetheless, there is indeed a biblical definition of faith. Hebrews 11 gives
us the clearest picture of what faith is and how it works. Verses 1-3 might be
seen as the prequel to the rest of chapter 11, often known as “The Hall of
Faith.” It is verses 1-3 though that paints a clear picture of faith and how it
works in the life of believers.
Hebrews 11:1-3
English Standard Version (ESV)
By Faith
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old
received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the
universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out
of things that are visible.
The Definition of Faith (v. 1)
This
passage first gives us the definition of faith. For many in our modern society,
faith requires proof, which is not really faith at all according to the
biblical definition. The Bible defines faith as the assurance of things hopes
for and the conviction of things not seen.
Assurance
The
first aspect of this definition is assurance. When we are assured of something,
we are confident in it. When one buys a new car, often the salesman will say
something like, “I assure you that this is a reliable car.” That assurance
alone seems to comfort us. The first part of faith though is the assurance of
things hoped for. We often speak of hope as if it is a wish, and we seem to use
the two words, “hope” and wish,” interchangeably. They are not the same though.
A hope is more expectant than a wish. When we hope in something, we expect
something to happen. Therefore, faith is the assurance that those things we
hope for will come to be.
Conviction
Conviction
is the second part of the definition of faith. Typically conviction comes from
proof. Many translations say that this is the evidence of things not seen.
However, this is astounding because true faith is conviction even without
seeable evidence. It is difficult to believe in something we cannot see. This
is why this definition of faith is amazing. We truly have faith in something we
cannot see nor fully explain. We cannot see how God works; nor can we explain
it. Yet we have faith in him, nonetheless. This is the definition of faith.
The Working of Faith (v. 2)
From
this passage, we can also see the working of faith. The Bible says that by
faith, the people of old received their commendation. In other words,
everything we do, we must complete by faith. If we are not living by faith but
are instead making feeble attempts to live by sight, we will not see the great
things of God accomplished. The working of faith equals great accomplishments,
things that we cannot explain. Hebrews 11, known as “The Hall of Faith” tells
us great things that men of God in years past have done, but the distinction is
made that they accomplished these great things by faith alone. This is the
working of faith. The fact is that faith should stir the working of God in our
lives. If faith is not working, we are, in fact, lacking it.
The Mystery of Faith (v. 3)
We
also see the mystery of faith in this passage. Verse 3 says that what is seen was
not made out of things that are visible. We believe in a God that we cannot
see. We trust in him and put our hope in him. This is a mystery. Why would
anyone believe in something they cannot see? The mystery of faith is that an
invisible God works in visible ways. Let us trust him not because of what he
does, but let what he does come because we trust him.
Conclusion
We
must examine ourselves to determine if we have biblical faith. It is quite different
than what a worldly definition might be. We live by faith and not by sight. It
is crucial that we realize the importance of faith. Do you have biblical faith?
