What is faith and what is it not? What is the evidence of it and how do we obtain the things we ‘hope’ for?
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There is a beautiful verse, in the Bible that is so wonderful but so misunderstood and taught wrongly. Hebrews 11:1 says: Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. What is faith and what is it not? What is the evidence of it and how do we obtain the things we ‘hope’ for? Here’s three ways I have come across.
1. The Secular Way : With municipal elections going on, you might have become more aware of this in the last few months. People “hoped” for positions as a chairman or candidate or “ticket” or hoped for a certain person to be elected. Others “hoped” for the “incentive”, favour or whatever else comes with these kind of elections. Some went about it the honest loving uncompromising way( I think there must have been at least some!)- All this is worldly hope
2. The Religious Way: Hoping to get things by fasting and/or praying a certain amount of time. Or have someone else pray/fast for you (using a middle person). Fasting, prayer or asking for prayer in itself is of course not wrong. Prayer homes can be wonderful places If used in the right manner. But using a place like that to demand people to fast (or else..) or to twist God’s arm to get your way and then expecting God to do what you demanded, because you fasted is religious manipulation. Fasting is a personal decision. It is between you and God and no one should have to go through some “middle person” who tells you when to start or stop or how many days you should fast. Neither should anyone put fear in people’s heart that if they do not fast or not continue their fast, some bad things are going to happen.
3. The Bible Way/Hope-: If we are believers, we have direct access to God. The middle wall is broken by Jesus Christ Himself (Ephesians 2:14). If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, are truly following His Word, we can now enter boldly before His throne (alone) according to Hebrews 4:16. Boldly means, I pray in line with God’s Word and the desires of His heart for my life and others. I know how to approach Him (with reverence and respect) I know His desire for us is good (Jeremiah 29:11 says so!) Then we can be bold and expect that what we prayed for is ours indeed!
The difference between Biblical hope and Biblical faith is that hope is in the future. However Faith is now. I Know I have it now. For example: as believers we have a blessed Hope meaning the return of Jesus Christ is certain according to scripture. When that is, we do not know. It is somewhere in the future but my hope will not bring Him back. I just believe He is. We also hope that in the future the earth will be restored to God’s original plan. Although we all have a big part to play in it, it is future hope. Faith though is now. It exists in the “now” realm. Faith is not hope, neither is faith a magic wand or Genie lamp to get whatever we want or because of a certain amount of hope.
1. Faith is the real substance.
2. Faith is a Spiritual substance.
3. Faith is trusting in the promises He gave to you from His Word.
4. Faith is saying: “He said it so it must be so”
5. Faith is receiving and resting like you receive a check. You know when you cash it in, you Will get the amount written on it. Whether today or tomorrow, you will receive it, when you cash it in. Cash in God’s promise by saying: “Thank you so much Father. I receive your promise with thanksgiving”.
6. Faith is a literal action on what you thanked Him for. You start moving the part of the body that you could not move before. You take a step, if it was hard before. You move your arm up if that was hard before. You sing and praise Him even though you do not “feel” like it. You do what you could not do before.
7. Faith is testifying you got what you came for. You got the promise already even though you have not seen it or felt it. Are you lying then? No, you are just saying what the Scripture says that you are healed by His stripes, you are blessed with His Word and promises, you are protected. Just like the check with that certain amount is not lying to you, neither is God’s word
8. Faith is bringing Hope (future) back to now( faith). Now we are healed. Now we are protected. Now we have joy. Not “going to be”. You can bring your God designed future to the now by imagining that future and start acting on it. Plan and just take the first step.
However if you imagine yourself sick, poor, depressed, that is probably what you get. His promises are so because He said so. “See” yourself healed, protected, joyful and prosperous for His Kingdom, and you are. “See” yourself doing your God given assignments and before you know, you are doing it.
Are you truly a believer? According to Ephesians we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. If you really want to claim the Old Testament scriptures, claim Deuteronomy 28: 1-14. That is for believers. The rest of Deuteronomy 28 is for those who do not know His Covenant with men and what Jesus did for them. It is for the category of unbelievers, Gentiles or heathen.
Make sure you are a believer! The promises in His Word are for you Now. You can claim them every day by speaking and acting on them.
Be Blessed! Because you are!
Akhrienuo