Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Definition of faith:
The “faith chapter” of Hebrews is a wonderful chapter in God’s word. Here it is defined, not as some intangible wistfulness, but as “substance” and “evidence”.
Faith must first have a legitimate object, and that object is nothing less than the mighty Creator by Whom the worlds were created out of nothing by His very word.
Beyond this, faith is defined, not by what it is, but by what it does. The man of faith comes to God by a more excellent sacrifice – like that of Abel (verse 4) – which typifies Christ and His death for us. Faith will, like Enoch, live to please God (Verse 5), and will, like Noah, prepare an ark – do whatever is necessary out of obedience to God – to the saving of his house (verse 70.
True faith will, like Abraham, go out as God leads, not knowing where and willing to live in tents if necessary (verse 8, 9) as he looks for the eternal city whose Builder and maker is God (verse 10). Such faith will even offer up to God the dearest and most important things in this life (verse 17-19).
Like Moses, the person of genuine faith will choose to suffer affliction with God’s people rather than be associated with and enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (verse 25). True faith is willing to be stoned, sawn asunder, slain with the sword if need be to pursue the promises if God (verse 37, 39).
We are saved by grace through faith, but faith will motivate us to action (Eph 2:10; James 2:24.
Degrees of faith:
There is a broad spectrum of faith exhibited today among men. Some have no faith like Israel of old (Deut. 32:20), to whom God said they forgot Who created them (Deut 32:18). There are many today who have forgotten that they were created by a Creator, not the product of evolution.
Then there are those like the sinful woman in Lu 7:37, 50 who have “saving faith” and received salvation upon her repentance and Godly sorrow. Among those who have saving faith, but who still have little spiritual discernment or maturity, Christ says they are of “little faith” (Matt 16:8). Paul also mentions those who are “weak in faith” (Ro 4:19).
Then, there are those who are “rich in faith” (James 2:5), those “strong in faith” (Rom 4:20, 21) and “full of faith” (Acts 6:5). For those who have little faith or weak faith there will be salvation and little more. But, it is much better to be strong in faith and full of faith when we meet the Lord.
Test of faith:
Why does God allow His children to often go through great trials and adversity insomuch that it causes the temptation to doubt about the presence of God? Job was tested in such a way (Job 23:2-3; 8, 9). Yet, in spite of all the events in Job’s life his faith held firm (Job 23:10). God allowed the fiery trials to refine and purify him.
Peter emphasized this principle to his readers, telling them that the trying of their faith was to be considered more precious than the refining and purifying of gold when it is put into the fire. The eternal result of Christians being put into the furnace of affliction is that they might “be found unto praise, honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. So, when trials and adversities come a strong faith and patience are needed (James 5:11)