Marvin L. Weir
The Bible describes faith as being the “assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). The child of God is to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). Faith is that “which stands under (hupostasis) the things hoped for (as, heaven). It is the proof, the sure persuasion (elenchos), of things not visible (as, God – Heb. 11:1). By it human beings are able to go beyond empirical knowledge to faith knowledge, and have an assurance that is as certain and reliable as sense perception” (Hugo McCord, Studies In Hebrews, 2nd Annual Denton Lectures). God assures us that Bible faith is more certain and reliable than sense perception! God keeps His promises, and His Word is sure. Paul, in writing to Titus declared, “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal” (Titus 1:1-2, emph. MLW).
Regarding Hebrews 11:1, Milligan writes that this is not a formal definition of faith but “rather a plain statement with regard to its nature and province.” Macknight wrote, “The word for ‘evidence’ (or ‘assurance’) denotes a strict proof or demonstration; a proof which thoroughly convinces the understanding and determines the will.” Adam Clarke reasons in much the same manner in saying,
It is such a conviction as is produced in the mind by the demonstration (as to a proposition in geometry) of a problem, after which demonstration no doubt can remain, because we see from it that the thing is; that it cannot but be; and that it cannot be otherwise than as it is, as it is proved to be.
“Assurance of things hoped for.” Coffman says that “things hoped for are all of those blessings, temporal and eternal, that make up the inheritance of the faithful. Resurrection from the dead and the triumphal entry into the everlasting habitations are surely included.”
“A conviction of things not seen.” Coffman again comments:
Things not seen include everything in the whole area of faith, the creation of the universe, the incarnation of Christ, the judgment of the world by the deluge, the second advent of Christ, the final judgment, the ultimate reception by every man of the destiny, good or bad, that shall be assigned to him by God’s enforcement of universal judgment, founded on justice and mercy. Unseen things are very strongly emphasized in this chapter, and repeated reference to them is made.
Let us now observe three powerful points in regard to Bible faith.
Bible faith is precious! Nothing is impossible that God would have us to do if we possess adequate faith. One has said that faith “is the hand that takes with firm, unfailing grip the faithful promises of the God of salvation.” There is nothing that can be compared to the “fruits” of faith.
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Faith saves—Eph. 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:15.
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Faith justifies—Gal. 3:24; Rom. 5:1.
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Faith guards—1 Pet. 1:5.
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Faith comforts—1 Thess. 3:7.
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Faith sanctifies—Acts 26:18.
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Faith is what we are to live by—Gal. 3:11.
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Faith is what we walk by—2 Cor. 5:7.
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Faith works through love—Gal. 5:6.
If one possesses soul-saving faith he will surrender his will to the transforming Word of God. One does not have Bible faith who refuses to do what God says must be done!
Bible faith is to be progressive! Not all progress is good. Progress in the wrong direction will result in the loss of one’s soul. The Bible warns, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). Let us always make sure we are traveling the “straitened” and “narrow” way that leads to eternal life (Matt. 7:14).
The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians because their faith grew exceedingly (2 Thess. 1:3). One’s faith will grow when he avails himself to the knowledge of the Word of God, and then becomes a “doer” and not just a “hearer” of that Word (James 1:22). James states an eternal principle when he declares, “Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from (thy) works, and I by my works will show thee (my) faith (2:18). A professed faith minus works (action) is not Bible faith; it is a dead faith! Bible faith acts and such action is clearly seen by others.
The apostles desired to have their faith increased (Luke 17:5). Christians today should desire to grow and mature in faith.
Bible faith will be triumphant! The greatest weapon in the Christian’s arsenal is not a nuclear missile. The most potent weapon the child of God can lay hold of is the Word of God, “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17). The victories recorded in Hebrews chapter 11 were all achieved by faith. It is true that “this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
A triumphant faith is always an obedient faith. In Hebrews chapter eleven we note:
“By faith Abel offered…” (4). “By faith Noah…moved with godly fear, prepared an ark…” (7). “By faith Abraham…obeyed to go out…he went out…” (8). “By faith Abraham… offered up Isaac…” (17). “By faith [Moses] forsook Egypt…” (27). “By faith [Moses] kept the passover…” (28). “By faith they [the Israelites] passed through the Red Sea…” (29, all emphasis, MLW).
Bible faith, saving faith, and Godly faith comes from only one source. The Scriptures declare, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17, KJV). Let us hear and then act by obeying the gospel which can save our souls (Rom. 1:16).
And, then let us by faith “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7) of His glorious truths! May we never underestimate the power of Bible faith!
