The Measure of Real Faith

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1, NAS)

I believe that it was in the 1970's that it became quite common for people to hear the exhortation to "keep the faith," beloved. Unfortunately, no one ever really explained what that "faith" was which everyone was being urged to keep!

The Bible urges us as Christians to "keep the faith" in our daily living today. The Apostle Paul put it in this unique way:

"In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16)

But how can we ever "keep the faith" when we don't always understand what it is and how it operates in our lives? The writer of the book of Hebrews has masterfully defined what "faith" is and, in doing so, has also explained for us how it is to operate. Note first the declaration that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for." The Greek word hupostasis means literally "a standing underneath" in the sense of that which lies at the foundation of anything. This author declared faith to be the assurance of "things hoped for,"of all that we cannot now see but know is there and will be ours. What God has promised us, then, we put our faith in completely, knowing that the promises of God are "yea and amen" in Christ!

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (2 Corinthians 1:20, KJV)

We exercise true "faith," beloved, not because of any strength or power inherent in us, but because the One who has made those promises is Himself faithful! So "faith" is the assurance that God can and will take care of us.

But the writer of Hebrews added the statement that faith is also "the conviction of things not seen." The Greek word elegchos means literally "a proving" as in something that has been put to the test and found to be real. Such "conviction," then, is based upon what God has done in the past! That the promises of God have been long-proven is one of the major claims of Scripture:

"Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him" (Proverbs 30:5)

The Hebrew word tsaraph is a "smelting" term having to do with the refining of ore. The promises of God have all been tested and proven in the "fires" of life's daily trials. We do not need to react to each new trial of life as if God had never before proven Himself faithful to us! His promises are true and His providence unfailing. Just what is the measure of your faith?

Ron