“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Dear Ones:
The Bible is not specifically a science book. And yet, there are times, when reading through its pages that we discover something of science that is profound. This passage in Hebrews is an example of this. When the author speaks of faith as “substance,” he is speaking of something, though invisible, is just as real as that which is material, that which we SEE. Not only this, but faith is EVIDENCE, the very proof of the existence of reality, though invisible. The author of Hebrews goes on to say that, with respect to the creation of the world and universe, “…things which are seen were not made of things do appear.” (v.3) What does he mean by this? Simply put, that which is invisible is not only the building block of creation, but the very means by which it exists. If there is one thing science declares to us, it is that all things were created by that which was, is, invisible to us. True faith is the declaration and commitment of the heart and mind, to believe in that which is invisible, though it is absolutely real, and eternal. What then is the basis of faith, the very reason for its existence and enduring strength?
We have often said that if one is going to choose to be an unbeliever, deliberately embracing this godlessness, then he or she needs to answer two questions. The first is: “Do we know how the whole creation began, and continues to exist?” There are many folk who stake the entirety of their existence, and eternity, on an incomplete and fallacious answer to this question. Of they just do not have an answer, and choose to ignore it. The second question is even more difficult to come to grips with: “Who is truly Jesus Christ?” Again, there are a lot of folk who have rejected Jesus Christ as the Son of God, because they have not looked carefully at what He said, did, and was. They have chosen to ignore Him, or to be content with the knowledge of twisted concepts concerning His nature and person. Where does the subject of faith come into this argument? Again, the author of Hebrews writes: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God.” (v.3) How do we understand the invisible, that which is greater than ourselves, and certainly more complicated, except by accepting and embracing the truth? We will only truly understand by trusting in the living God, according to the word of God.
Faith is never easy, either to grasp or to maintain. Why? The first prerequisite to faith is truth, the absolute truth concerning creation, and specifically, the spiritual condition of man. Secondly, faith’s power lies in its true object, the source of the truth. This is one reason for which the Lord Jesus declared, “I AM the truth,” not only I speak the truth. He is the essence, and proof of the invisible. Faith is the right response to the revelation of Christ, the personal trust in, and commitment to, His Person.
Dear Father, give us faith to grasp the invisible, to live in the perspective of Thy blessed presence and working. Strengthen us to believe Thee fully according to what Thou has declared in Thy word. Then, we shall know the reality of the invisible, when You witness to our hearts that you are indeed the Eternal God. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad