Trust God by Faith

Ancient Hebrew poets would often use two parallel and almost identical phrases to express their point (MacArthur’s New Testament Commentary: Hebrews, [Moody Publishers: Chicago, 1983], 286). That is precisely what our writer does in Hebrews 11:1 to express his definition of faith. It is not a formal or highly theological definition. Rather, the writer uses this literary form to emphasize certain basic characteristics of faith that are important in understanding the message he is trying to get across.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (v. 1). First, faith is "the substance of things hoped for" (v. 1a). The NASB says, "the assurance of things hoped for," and the NIV says simply, "faith is being sure of what we hope for." Being certain "of what we hope for" (v. 1a)—that God will keep His promises—and living accordingly with full "assurance" is what faith is all about.

In Old Testament times, men and women had to rest on the promises of God. God had told them of a coming Messiah, a Deliverer who would take away sin. He told them that one day all Israel would be made clean and be ruled by this righteous Messiah. God's faithful believed God's promises, as incomplete and vague as many of those promises were. They did not have a great deal of specific light, by New Testament standards, but they knew it was God's light, and put their full trust and hope in it.

The promises given to the Old Testament saints were so real to them because they believed God, that they based their lives on them. All the Old Testament promises related to the future—for many believers, far into the future. But the faithful among God's people acted as if they were in the present tense. They simply took God at His word and lived on that basis. They were people of faith, and faith gave present assurance and substance to what was yet future.

The Greek word translated "substance" (v. 1a) or "assurance" (NASB), appears two other times in Hebrews. In Hebrews 1:3 it is rendered "exact representation," speaking of Christ's likeness to God, and in Hebrews 3:14 it is rendered "assurance," as in Hebrews 11:1. It refers to the essence, the real content, the reality, as opposed to mere appearance. So faith provides the firm ground on which we stand, waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise. Far from being something that is uncertain, faith is the most solid possible conviction. Faith is the present essence of a future reality.

Foe example, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were confronted with a choice. They could obey Nebuchadnezzar, whom they could see very well, or God, whom they had never seen. Without hesitation, they chose to obey God. Man's natural response is to trust his physical senses, to put his faith in the things he can see, hear, taste, and feel. But the man of God puts his trust in something more durable and dependable than anything he will ever experience with his senses. He puts his trust in God and His promises.

Faith is also "the evidence of things not seen" (v. 1b). The NASB says, "the conviction of things not seen," and the NIV says simply that we are "certain of what we do not see." This carries the same truth a little further, to its logical conclusion. "Conviction" leads to a response. Outwardly our life will show our inward assurance. The person of faith lives as he believes. He is committed to live out what his mind and his spirit are convinced is true.

"The elders obtained a good testimony" (v. 2), or "gained approval" (NASB) because they lived by their conviction concerning God and His promises. God said it; they believed it and proved it by their life. Like them we are to live by faith, by "the conviction of things" we have "not seen" (v. 1b).

This is illustrated in verse 3: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." None of us saw God create this world. The Scriptures tell us about it and we trust by faith that it is true. The creation can be understood, but only if you are willing to be taught by the Word of God. As John MacArthur said, "Faith comprehends that which the mind of man, no matter how brilliant, cannot fathom" (Ibid). It is by faith that you are convicted of the truth of creation. And it is by that same faith, an absolute trust in God and His Word, that you are to live your life. Amen.