The Bible gives us this definition of faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
William MacDonald gives us a most insightful commentary on faith. He writes, “It makes things hoped for as real as if we already had them, and not provides unshakable evidence that the unseen, blessings of Christianity are absolutely certain and real. In other words, it brings the future within the present and makes the invisible seen.
“Faith is confidence in the trustworthiness of God. It is the conviction that what God says is true and that what He promises will come to pass” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 2194, 2195).
It is absolutely impossible to live the Christian life without faith. God’s word makes that very clear. “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Unlike mortal man, God is completely trustworthy. No matter the circumstance, God keeps His word—what He says, He means. What He promises He will surely fulfill, because “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
God told Israel, “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps convenient and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9). A thousand generations means forever.
But I must completely trust Him.
His Word is true, His promise is sure
I will therefore wait on Him to perform.
—Geoff Daniels 09/2021
Trust in God is absolutely essential for our faith to work for our good. King Solomon wrote: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your path” (Proverbs 3:5,6).
“Trust is a strong belief in someone’s integrity, ability, and character. This is the kind of confidence we are to have in the Lord. Then whatever He says or requires of us, we will know with certainty that it is right. If we lack trust, we won’t follow Him and will find ourselves living outside the will of God” (Sermon Notes from “In Touch With Dr. Charles Stanley”).
The Christian’s faith is so strong and meaningful, and even more precious than gold that perishes, we are able to love the Lord Jesus who we have never seen physically.
Peter writes the following about the believer’s genuineness of faith in Jesus Christ. “The tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:7-9).
How complete the word of God is. Peter says: “Though you have not seen [Christ], you love Him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him.” Here’s the key. We love Christ and believe in him because of our faith and precisely what the Scriptures teach about Him.
When Jesus died on the Cross, none of us was present. Yet, we accept it because the Scripture says so. Paul says, “Christ died for our sins. In accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Here again we can believe that Christ died for our sins because the Scriptures tell us what happened. The Christian has faith in God and His word.
The Christian life is a life of faith in God. We trust God, we believe in God, we have hope in God because our expectation is from Him. God is reliable. He has pledged His word.
Here is what God is saying to you and me, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
God promises His children a future and a hope. When we pray to him, He will hear us. When we seek Him, we will find Him. God will never disappoint.