Evidence of Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1)

1. Definition of faith (source IBLP)
Faith: to be persuaded or convinced by reason. Also means moral conviction of truth especially with regard to salvation, God’s promises and His incorruptible Word.

The test of determining if we have faith
- Do we see God’s will in the matter or are we living in God's will?
- Is it based on Scripture?
- Are we ready to obey?
- Is Christ the center of our life and decisions?

2. Faith made evident (demonstration)
Faith is not just a belief in our heart but there has to be evidence of it. If we understand that in God there is a certainty, it would be displayed in our confidence and more powerfully.... our hope.

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Rom 5:5)

Hope is powerful for by it we know the fullest extent of God’s love. We don’t live in shame and need to look for alternatives to make up for lack of it. That may account for some children (even adults) seek alternatives ways to make up for lack of love (or attention). Following many of these alternatives can hurt themselves and displease God in the process due to its immoral nature or self centeredness. Hope is powerful because it tells us of a future certainty, not as the world hope. Our hope is not empty but filled with God’s love.

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (2Co 5:7)

To walk is to tread around with the proof of its ability. Figuratively it means to live or the proof of the life we live. The proof of a life lived in faith is neither by human perception nor wisdom. 2 Cor 4:18 tells us that are seen are temporal but things unseen are eternal. Just as Enoch ‘walked’ with God until God was so pleased with him that Enoch was taken up to Heaven. As Christians we have to realize that there isn't anything worth coverting we can't take with us to Heaven. Heaven is real!.. but so is hell. Nobody in the Bible speaks more of Heaven and hell than Jesus.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Co 4:18)


3. The importance of faith
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb 11:6)

a. Faith pleases God
Many Christians want to please God by the ministry or works that we do, but Rom 8:8 reminds that ‘they that are of the flesh’ cannot please God. Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain (Heb 11:4) not out of the flesh but in obedience by offering ‘acceptable’ sacrifice. Whereas Cain offered a sacrifice which were from the sweat of his face (Gen 3:19). We can’t please God by merely in the ‘doing’. It has to be in the ‘being’. For example Abel was being obedient. For us we are saved not of works least we have something to boast (Eph 2: 8&9).

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1Sa 15:22)

I personally believe that walking by faith is evident by obedience.

“Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle; he that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God.” C.H. Spurgeon

b. Faith justifies us
Our justification is by faith (Rom 3:28) without the works of the law. But we need the law to introduce us to the fact that we are sinners in need of salvation. Knowing that there isn’t any possible way for us to be right before God, we also understand that it requires the finish work of Jesus upon the cross to make us righteous. But we access by faith into God’s grace (Rom 5:2) fully appreciating the punishment that Jesus had to bear for us upon the cross. It cause the Son of God His life and it caused the Father much pain that His soon became sin in our stead that we might receive the gift of righteousness (2 Cor 5:21).

Therefore God made us righteous and it becomes God’s requirement upon us to be righteous. How else can be ambassodors or represent God correctly, unless we bear His character of Holiness.

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1Pe 1:14-16)

Peter used references from Leviticus on holiness. Today some teach that we don’t have to be attentive to the Old Testament (especially on the subject of holy living) but Peter infers otherwise.

4. How do we get faith?
The day we recognize that we have sinned (as the law reveals) and believe that Jesus died for us, a propitiation (appeasing God’s wrath, remembering that God is just: Rom 3:25) for our sins, God has given us a measure of faith. Just as Jesus commended the faith of little children…

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (Mar 10:15)

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17)

After being born again we need start with the milk, and eventually maturing to consume the staple diet of bread and meat of God’s Word. There is the progression of faith.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1Pe 2:2)

John 1:1-14 tells us that Jesus is ‘the’ Word or the Word made flesh. Just as a man’s word is to himself, so Jesus is the expression of God.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (Joh 6:35)

The first principles are the foundational truths we hold on to in our belief. We will need to mature to spiritual meat for our greater strength. By the meat of God’s word we then grow into righteousness. We know that we have grown unto righteousness when sin becomes distasteful. Maturity then enables us to distinguish the right from the wrong, and choosing what is right.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:12-14)

5. Conclusion

Faith is a key fundamental in our Christian life, not just in our heart or thought but must be made evident in our behavior through obedience to His whole council of His Word. Faith pleases God; our aim should be to please God, because He gave His by sending His son to die for us. Further more, there isn’t any better aim in life than to please our Heavenly Father. Faith is like a spiritual muscle that we need to exercise and grow; therefore we have to be disciplined to read, meditate, memorize and obey His Word daily.