Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). It is the very lifestyle of the just (Heb 10:38/ chapter 11/Habakkuk 2:4). For we walk by faith, not by sight (2Cor 5:7).
And faith is the substance (foundation/matter) of things hoped for, the (indisputable) evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). Faith is not only the (available) size foundation (which is versatile in nature) for everything that we hope for in Christ; but also, the matter to which the invisible thing (that do not exist) that we hope for breath into to become obvious.
Or we can put it this way too: Greek word for ‘substance’ is ‘ousia,’ which means ‘being-ness’.
Let’s try this way too, and see where it leads us!
Faith is the being-ness (essence, spirit, nature, soul) of the thing hoped for. If this is the case, then the life or the spirit or the essence of the thing that we hope for, is already created in the very realm where the faith incubates. And if the soul of the matter is already here, by the sole reason of somebody’ faith being put into effect; what we only require now is, the assistance of the Divine, to formulate a structure for this thing that we hope for.
Fine example: A pro-genitive person (one who is fertile) sows his seed into a woman to produce offspring. Both man and woman, other than making love, knows nothing about the process and mystery behind the development of the embryo. Through mature understanding they both are aware that when coupled, they are capable in bringing forth living human beings; other than that, they know nothing of how the seed is transfigured to a fetus and then fetus to a growing child. What they do is nothing but hope for the life that they through their natural intuition believe in and work hand in hand with the Divine to call those things, which be not as though they were (to manifest or to be felt). God, who quickens the dead, and call those things, which are not as though they were(Rom 4:17).
Man is only the donor of the fruit of his loins, but God is the One that transfigures that matter into a seed form and breaths life into it. Hence, man is not the originator of life(Ps 139:13-) but God (Heb 12:9 – Father of spirits – James 2:26/Zech 12:1). Everything that we see and cannot see proceeds from the Father. By Him, all things consist (be formed of, be composed of, be made up of, be expressed by)(Col 1:17).
Our God, the ‘Creator of heavens and the earth,’ by nature, is infallible and omniscient. Let’s leaf through one of his marvelous handiworks and be awed.
Ps 139:13-16 says, for thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (the texture of the human body is the most complicated and curious that can be conceived – Clarke): marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knows right well. My substance was not hidden from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought (Rukkamti, embroidered, made of needlework) in the lowest parts of the earth. Thy eyes did see my substance (Golmi, my embryo state – my yet indistinct mass, when all was wrapped up together, before it was gradually unfolded into the lineaments of man – Clarke), yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
If faith is required only where what we hope for is not perceptible by touch; then, how can anyone expect to work out their faith when they are encompassed with everything that they need in life (things visible)?
Faith is (also) the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). Which then means, faith is the result of our hope, and conversely; having hope, when your faith is increased (2Cor 10: 15). And faith works by love (Gal 5:6). Faith is built through obedience also (James 2:22). For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why doth he yet hope, for? But if we hope for that we see not (Heb 11:3), then do we with patience wait for it (Rom 8:24,25)(for the sole reason of the presence of faith). And trying of our faith is so required to work this patience (James 1:3), by which we wait for that which we pray for, through the Spirit. If it is according to the will of God that we have prayed, then we already have the answer, though not perceptible right away; whose evidence and assurance is the presence of faith within. If ye are free of doubt, then ye shall have whatsoever ye ask (Mark 11:23). He who doubts is damned (anathematized)(Rom 14:23). In this context it means, he who prays apart from the will of God is accursed (off course – heading for trouble – fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. Which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows –1Tim 6:9,10). And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him (1John 5:14,15). If faith for that particular thing that we prayed, is absent; then, it is a sure sign that we not only have not prayed according to the will of God but also that there won’t be any result. Let him ask in faith (James 1:6). Ye must also have relayed a carnally oriented prayer. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (James 4:3). So then, if “faith” is present, it should mean we already have the answer in its inexplicable form, and that we have prayed according to the will of God. In other words, a prayer which is authorized by God will be swathed in faith. The things that are seen were not made of things, which do appear (Heb 11:3).
What if our prayers are not swathed in faith? Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord (James 1:7). The faith that is used in prayer for a particular thing is not the one that we receive when we hear the word of God (Rom 10:17); this one, is imparted by the Holy Ghost according to His will. Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for, as we ought (Rom 8:26). If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1John 5:14). It means the Holy Spirit has to impart the faith of Jesus Christ (Rev 14:12) into our spirits for the substance that we hope for according to His will, to manifest. The other kind of faith is wrought with works (obedience/cultivation of the word of God), and also through sufferings and by hearing of the word of God (James 2:22/1:3/1Pet 1:7/Rom 10:17), for the salvation of our souls (1Pet 1:9). The result of prayer or that which we hope for is already there in its spiritual form where faith is made available! We should not even attempt to pray where there is no faith available, even if it is of spiritual nature that we pray for. For, whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Rom 14:23). Yea, it is the substance of things that we hope for, right! When we hope for certain things, that virtue (faith) which is released within us by the Holy Ghost, the result of aligning ourselves with the will of the Father (1John 5:14), dispatches that same kind of energy which created the universe (Heb 11:3)(the power of God – Zech 4:6) into the unseen creative realm, to fashion that thing we prayed for already. Jesus said I would give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven* (that’s faith – According to your faith be it unto you – Matt 9:29 – And Jesus answering says unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says. Therefore, I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them – Mark 11:22-24 – Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God – Heb 3:12): *and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matt 16:19).
Thoughts and words carry tremendous power; therefore, what we hope for and speak, also discharges life. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Pro 18:21). The worlds were framed by the word of God (Heb 11:3). He upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb 1:3). Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe (possess faith) that those things, which he say shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says (Mark 11:23). That can only be accomplished via the imparted faith of the Spirit of Christ. And a prayer, which is inspired by the Holy Ghost alone, can obtain such mountain moving faith. One cannot just go around and uproot a situation without the authorization of the Spirit of God. That is like following the trail of that old serpent Satan, which is Lucifer who tried to become God. The motivation behind such prayers is of the selfish nature. Self-adulation and to pride oneself on, is the motivating force behind any prayers which does not emanate from the source of all life. If we are been told to walk as Jesus walked(1John 2:6) and as he is, so are we in this world (1John 4:17). Then listen to the words of our Master: I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father, which hath sent me (John 4:30). Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also, does the Son likewise (John 5:19). The Son also himself is subject unto him that put all things under him, that in the end, God may be all in all (1Cor 15:28). The head of Christ is God (1Cor 11:3). Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5). The head (chief) of every man is Christ (1Cor 11:3). So then, we cannot have our own ways; but whatever our chief says that alone should we do. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27). Strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised (through the implementation of the word of God, they grow –1Pet 2:2)(to hear) to discern both good and evil (Heb 5:14). The heir (Gal 4:7), as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all (Gal 4:1). For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe (yet carnal – his prayers will be carnally oriented)(Heb 5:13/1Cor 3:1-3).
And when the Bible says, faith is the substance of what we hoped for, and the evidence which proves the fact that, what we were hoping for, though cannot be seen right away, it is out there; taking its shape to that precise image your mind already released and is on its way.
Abraham, against hope, believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken (Rom 4:18). Abraham, for some genuine natural reasons, could not continue to hope, but he against hope believed in hope (regarded as true, trusted – against hope – where faith is tried – Heb 11: 17/1Pet 1:7/James 1:3). That was all that needed, for things to come to pass.
It is indeed the very substance of what we hope for, and the evidence (confirmation) that the things we hope for (which for the moment though cannot be seen), we already possess. Hence, the things we hope for is not what we should be concerned about, instead the quality and density or the measure of sustained faith or our belief (or simply, get rid of the dubious heart). Unbelief can sever the link. Due to unbelief, Israelites failed to enter into God’s rest – Promise land (Heb 3:18,19). Due to their unbelief, they were cut off from the lifeline of God (Rom 11:20). A heart of unbelief is evil and it separates us from God (Heb 3:12), despite your religious stance.
The things, which are seen, are temporal; but the things, which are not seen, are eternal(2Cor 4:18).
The things, which are seen were not made of things, which do appear (Heb 11:3). You see, the things, which we through hope, calls forth are not made of things, which do appear; but those things, which as told inconceivable, and that which cannot materialize or is invisible are, framed/brought in (formulated) by the word of God, to the present environment where our faith broods over; and that which by its nature could not appear is made to appear, through Him. In essence: without having any raw material to create a frame or form for that which do not appear, the Word of God through His omniscience makes it appear (Heb 11:3). The things, which are seen, were not made of things, which do appear: Those things which by nature cannot appear due to its property; when faith kicks in, regardless of its impossible background, reverses its true nature and makes it appear. God, who quickens the dead, and calls those things, which be not as though they were(Rom 4:17).
If you possess faith, you already have, that which you hope for. It is in the vicinity itself. In due season we shall reap if we faint not (Gal 6:9). For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (Heb 10:36). As a farmer waits patiently for his crop, so should we, stay the course. In your patience possess (Luke 21:19). And only tribulation and trying of our faith can work (cultivate) such patience(Rom 5:3/James 1:3). Will you let the trouble from God have its way in your life, to perfect you? (Heb 12:6-11/1Pet 1:7/4:12,13/Matt 13:21/2Thes 1:4,5/1Cor 11:32/John 15:2) What? Shall we receive “good” at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10) The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you (1Pet 5:10). That’s how spiritual development occurs. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward (if we endure – verse 7) it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them, which are exercised thereby (Heb 12:11). For, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed in us (Rom 8:18). My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience (Heb 11:17/Ps 105: 17-19/Deut 8:1-3/Rom 4:11,12/1Pet 1:7). But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4).
When a man releases his seed (fruit of his loins) inside a woman, or when he ejects semen from his body at the moment of sexual climax, he does it by mere understanding and belief/instinct. He only knows that, when he so does, conception naturally would take place, which is a quality that is inherent in all life forms. Well, this conception is the faith or the materialization/advent of the substance that he hopes for, but it still cannot be seen. Patiently he has to wait for the fertilized egg to grow into the figure he’s been hoping to see. He must wait until the womb could no more keep it there, but deliver it to the person who was waiting with a bated breath, to touch, feel and hold that which he’s been hoping for. There is, therefore, a womb (a place of origination and development) in which, all that we hope for takes its shape. Seedtime: (time required for the development of the seed sown), and Harvest: (the fruit of labor).
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease (Gen 8:22). He that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Gal 6:8). They that sow (the word of God into the spirit – Gal 6:8) in tears (bearing its cross/pain/agony – Matt 16: 24/13:21/2Tim 3:12) shall reap in joy(Ps 126:5/Rev 3:18). But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (1Pet 4:13).
They in faith (evidence and substance of the things hoped for – Heb 11:1), not having received the promises (gestation period), but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded (convinced) of them, and embraced them (through their spiritual eyes)(Heb 11:13). For we walk by faith, not by sight (2Cor 5:7). Ye should, therefore, earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3/Rom 4: 11,12).
Though, the conception that is taken place is the very evidence; it does not guarantee the delivery unless the crucial stage of securing the fertilized egg from getting aborted is well taken care of. It also depends upon nine months of careful nurturing and nourishing of the growing child.
Likewise, the things that we hope for, even though we have the evidence, it could get aborted through many reasons, mostly doubtful negligence.
We have sufficient information regarding what we too can expect on the way. And we must be aware of the price of this piece of information that’s been given to us: “Around three million people’s life”. Their story furnishes with the kind of provision that is provided on the journey of faith.
They say that: they were fed with fresh quails from the sea (Num 11:31).
- He quenched their thirst with the water that streamed forth from the rock that was smote (1Cor 10: 4).
- Their sandals did not wear out.
- He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes (Ps 105:37).
- None of the plagues of Egypt had come nigh their dwelling places.
- The sun did not smite, nor the moon harmed them at night.
- For the pillar of the cloud (glory) of God covered their tracks from the blistering sun(Ex 13:22), and a pillar of fire lighted their nights.
- He brought quails and satisfied them with the bread of heaven (Ps 105:40).
- He brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness (Ps 105:43).
- He gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labor of the people (Ps 105:44). The remnant of Israel will experience this blessing one more time in the Millennium reign of Christ.