WHAT IS FAITH?……….IT IS PROOF OF OUR BELIEF

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

Read the above scripture carefully, faith is evidence, or proof of our belief. If a church member believes that two Gods have inhabited eternity, and claims to have faith in that belief: That is not true faith because there is no proof of that belief in the bible. A child may have absolute belief in existence of the tooth fairy, because of lies told; but there will never be any true faith in that belief, because it is not provable.

Our faith and hope must be in God. God is truth, so our faith must be according to truth. 

1Pe 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

True faith is only available from proving our belief by Gods word. We will grow in faith by learning of God, and living our life according to that learning. 

Read the next verse, and notice something startling.

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

True faith will not be realized in our lives until we attain salvation; therefore true faith is proof of prophecy.

The scriptures have the words of eternal life.

Joh 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1Jo 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 

The bible testifies of Christ.

Joh 5:39  Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Read the next verse with the above verses in mind. The scriptures testify of Christ, and have the way to eternal life.

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The testimony of Christ is the knowledge of eternal life, and is therefore prophetic.

The end, or culmination of our faith is eternal life, and is therefore proof of Christ’s testimony.

Faith grows from learning the word of God and living our lives according to the word of God.

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

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Faith cannot come from mens wisdom.

1Co 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 

We must stand fast in faith.

1Co 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Gods people will live their lives by the word of God, not by the word of mankind. 

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

We will not receive the culmination of our faith in this lifetime. 

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

Jesus Christ is giver and finisher of our faith.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

True faith requires true commitment.

Jam 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 

We must live by every word of God.

Jam 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 

Jam 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 
Jam 2:22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 
Jam 2:23  And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 
Jam 2:24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 
Jam 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 

Faith must be fair dinkum.

1Ti 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 

True faith is one of the mysteries of God.

1Ti 3:9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

True faith requires belief, obedience, and trust in Gods word, and the courage to follow God wherever he leads; even if the whole world differs to what the bible says. Faith will start small as a mustard seed; as we grow in knowledge of God and live our lives according to that knowledge: we will grow in the faith, which will eventually culminate in the salvation of our souls.

Always keep the following verse in mind. Faith without love is as nothing.

1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

In light of the new knowledge we have learned in this article, lets now look at the faith chapter and discuss some of it.

FAITH IS A MYSTERY

1Ti 3:9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

In the faith chapter are given the requirements for faith, let’s look at them

BELIEF

Belief goes hand in hand with faith, without it we simply cannot have faith.

The bible tells us that God created all things through His Son Jesus Christ, if we believe that God did this, then we have one of the requirements of faith. 

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Abel believed God and followed the instructions regarding sacrifices. 

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 

PLEASE GOD

Again we see that Enoch believed God, he pleased God. It is impossible to please God without faith.

Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

Notice that belief and faith are intertwined.

Heb 11:6  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. 

FEAR

We must have awe and reverence for God.  Noah had this awe towards God.  Noah was told of the impending flood, he believed God, feared God and acted on those things and built the ark.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 

OBEDIENCE

God told Abraham to go to a strange land, which he did not know, he did not hesitate, he just went, trusting that God knew what He was doing.  Abraham obeyed.

Heb 11:8  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 

Abraham was not worried about where he would live, he knew that he was only a sojourner here on earth, he was concerned with his future dwelling place, with God.  This physical life is only temporary, it was not a concern for him, his mind and heart were set on the true riches of life……obedience to  God.  He wanted to obey God, now. 

Heb 11:10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

JUDGE GOD FAITHFUL

Sarah judged God faithful, to do what He had promised.  Sarah was 90 years old when God told Abraham that she would have a son.  Sarah laughed at the thought, Abraham also laughed at the possibility, she was well past child bearing and Abraham was 100.  If you know anyone that age, I think every single one of them would laugh if you told them they were going to have a baby. However, when Sarah had time to think about it, she soon realized that God could perform this miracle and she judged Him faithful, that He would fulfill this promise.  She believed and trusted in God.  Even though it was physically impossible.

Heb 11:11  Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

CONFESSION OF BEING STRANGERS ON EARTH

The Feast of Tabernacles teaches us that we are sojourners here on earth, this physical existence is a temporary state for us whilst we learn character, overcome and are tried.  We must not get too attached to this world and all that it offers, we must understand that the true riches and the things that are really worth striving for are spiritual.  They are not physical or material……the physical will fade away….but Gods word and the promises are eternal. 

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 
Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 
Heb 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 
Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 

PROPHESY

Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding the future of the nations that would come out of them.  He was given this insight by God.

Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 

When Jacob was very old he blessed  Ephraim and Manasseh, concerning the future of the nations which would come from them.  Again this is prophesy given by God.

Heb 11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 

God inspired Joseph to know that the nation of Israel would go into captivity and would come out of it. 

Heb 11:22  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 

BE NOT AFRAID

Moses parents hid him for 3 months, whilst the king was looking to kill the babies, this must have been a very hard time for them, imagine trying to keep a little baby quiet, while trying to avoid detection day and night.  The parents were not afraid of the king.  God is far greater than any physical king. 

Heb 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 

PUT GOD FIRST, RESPECT YOUR REWARD

What a great temptation, Egypt and its many pleasures must have been, but not to Moses, he wanted to be with Gods people….this was far more important to him than physical possessions and materially minded people.  He knew what the true riches were.  Moses simply wanted to put God first, and be with His people.  Egypt represented the exact opposite of what Gods people should be. 

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 
Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 

Also notice that Moses respected the payment of the reward.

Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 

UNDERSTANDING WHO GOD IS

Moses understood who God was, notice seeing Him who is invisible, this seeing means understanding.  It is extremely important that we know who God is.  Moses knew..... do we?

Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 

KEEP THE PASSOVER

It is extremely important that we keep the Passover on the correct day.  This is one of the keys to the kingdom.

Heb 11:28  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 

ONLY GODS PEOPLE CAN FOLLOW HIM

Only those people who God calls will hear Him and follow Him.

Heb 11:29  By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 

WORKS

Faith without works is dead.  As the following scriptures show.

Heb 11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 

Heb 11:33  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 

Heb 11:35  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 
Heb 11:36  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 
Heb 11:37  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 
Heb 11:38  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 
Heb 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 
Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 

When Abraham walked to the mountain to sacrifice Isaac, many thoughts would have churned over in his mind, one of them would have been how God would continue 
his seed through Isaac, when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac.  He knew God could raise him from the dead if he so desired.  Whatever God had in mind, Abraham accounted to God that He was able to do what He had promised.  He did not know how God would do this but he still concluded that God would fulfill His promises. He had works when he was prepared to follow the instructions of God and sacrifice Isaac.

Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 
Heb 11:18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 
Heb 11:19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 

Rahab had works when she hid the spies

Heb 11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

Jam 2:25  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 
 

PROPHESY

Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding the future of the nations that would come out of them.  He was given this insight by God.

Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 

When Jacob was very old he blessed  Ephraim and Manasseh, concerning the future of the nations which would come from them.  Again this is prophesy given by God.

Heb 11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 

God inspired Joseph to know that the nation of Israel would go into captivity and would come out of it. 

Heb 11:22  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 

PEACE

Rahab wanted peace when she saved the spies.

Heb 11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

The culmination of our faith is eternal life.

Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 

All of the above scriptures give attributes of faith.  We need to have these requirements to have faith.

Faith grows over the years, as we show God that we wish to have the requirements of faith, by doing them in our lives.  We need to ask God for faith, He will increase it.