Substantive Faith, July 1, 2005

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)This is one of the most oft quoted passages in the Bible, and rightly so. As we seek to know and understand the nature of the faith that God has bestowed on us it is good and necessary that we be able to identify the genuine article.The passage quite plainly identifies faith as being substance and evidence. These words have the connotation of being things that we can touch, handle, and examine. Yet these are offered by the author as being directly connected to hope, and things that are invisible. But is there something more here than an assertion that faith (something that is intangible) is substance and evidence (things that are tangible)? Can faith be examined and validated in the same way as, say, a weapon at the scene of a crime?The author of Hebrews answers this question, but not in the way we might expect. Faith, he contends, is substance and evidence indeed, and it can be examined. That examination can be made on the basis of what faith does.Here is a sort of short list. Faith understands the seeming impossible, it believes the unbelievable, it makes unbelievable sacrifices without question, it transforms from the temporal to the eternal, it pleases God, it is the catalyst for appropriate preparation for cataclysm, it is the basis for pursuing the promises of God, and for the hope of godly progeny. Further, it is the basis for the rejection of, and of the refusal to comply with, illicit commands of kings. Faith is that by which the favor of the world is rejected and the riches of obedience to God becomes more than an intellectual abstraction. Faith is the only basis for the true worship of God. By faith we confront the seemingly impossible and conquer over the adversities and adversaries of God and His people. Doing righteousness (as opposed to thinking righteous thoughts), receiving promises, subduing kingdoms, being supernaturally strengthened, made valiant, and repulsing wicked marauders are all evidences of faith. Oh yes, and faith does not necessarily take the easy way out, even if there is the probability of personal harm involved in the transaction.This is the substantive faith of the Bible. It is largely recognized by the action it takes. One can only wonder why there is so pitifully little of it today. And without this substantive, active faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)