FAITH
By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel
Hebrews 11:1“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
What is faith? According to Scripture, faith is the substance of things hoped for. The term “substance” implies that it has a tangible, solid existence; it is not abstract. This means faith exists in the present—it is for now, not something that is going to exist but already does. If it does not exist, then it is not faith because it lacks substance, tangibility, or solid existence.
For instance, if one has faith for healing, then that healing has already taken place; it exists. If the healing has not occurred yet, then there is no faith for it because it lacks substance or tangible existence. Every Christian needs to understand this distinction. This misunderstanding is why many do not experience the benefits of faith; they live in hope and mistakenly call it faith. They might say, “I am believing God to heal me,” and call it faith. Faith calls things that are not as if they were, not as if they were not. Faith operates in the realm of assurance and conviction, not mere hope. Faith says, “I am healed.” It views the desired outcome as a solid, existing reality—a tangibility and a substance.
James 1:6-7 “ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord.”
Rom 4:17 “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”
In Christ, God declares us redeemed from all bondages, curses, and penalties of sin. He declares us healed by His stripes and restored to fellowship with Him. These statements are not empty or meaningless; they articulate the profound realities accomplished through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, some choose not to believe these words or even contemplate them. We often treat these promises as we do other statements that we have no intention of believing or acting upon.
To experience these realities, all that is required of us is to believe in their truth and accept them as solid blessings intended for us. However, many of us fail to trust in these assurances. Instead, we resort to various self-help and religious practices in the hope of attaining these blessings, which we know we desperately need. We forget the simplicity of His command to “only believe,” questioning how mere belief can be effective.
HOPE: What is hope? It’s the anticipation and expectation that something will happen. Hope is always directed towards the future, looking forward to events or outcomes that have not yet occurred. How does this concept of hope relate to faith, which is considered to be tangible and present? Events or realities are first established in the spiritual realm, given that God is a Spirit before they become evident in the physical world.
Heb 11:3 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
Relying solely on our physical senses or feelings to validate God’s spiritual work can lead to doubt and confusion. For instance, when we pray for healing and expect immediate physical changes, we may become disheartened if we don’t see instant results. However, just as receiving an email confirmation from Amazon assures us of a package on its way, our faith assures us of spiritual realities that are yet to manifest physically.
Consider this: when you order something online, you receive an email confirming your purchase, even though you haven’t received the package yet. Similarly, God’s promises serve as our confirmation, assuring us of blessings yet unseen but guaranteed. This assurance is made possible through the Holy Spirit, who guides our understanding and strengthens our faith in these unseen realities. So, instead of relying solely on what we see or feel, we trust in the promises of God, knowing that what He has declared will come to pass in due time.
Another definition of faith is that it serves as evidence for things that aren’t visible. Evidence can take many forms, such as actions or words, supporting the truth of unseen claims. James 2:17 emphasizes that genuine faith is demonstrated through action, showing that faith without action is inactive and lacks substance. In essence, faith is both the proof and the action that supports what we cannot see.
James 2;17 “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Another way of providing evidence is through our words. When we believe or have faith, we express it verbally. Our words reveal what we truly believe, as they stem from the overflow of our hearts. If we genuinely believe, our words will align with God’s promises. Conversely, if we doubt, our words will betray our lack of belief. For example, when Amazon sends an email confirming your order, you start telling people your phone is on the way, even though you haven’t seen it. In this case, the evidence is both the email from Amazon and the words you speak.
2 Cor 4:13 “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak”
Therefore, we activate our faith in two ways: through action and through our words.
Action: If you declare faith in healing, you must also act accordingly. Demonstrating your belief that Jesus’ sacrifice has brought healing is essential. Act 3:1-7, Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. and a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an aims. And Peter fasting his eyes upon him and John said look on us, and he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, silver and gold I have none; but such as I have give I Thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” Although Peter and John had spoken the command, Peter had to demonstrate his belief in the power of Jesus’ name to heal. He did this by physically helping the man stand up and allowing him to support himself.
Words: The words you speak will tell whether you have faith or just mere confession. Romans 10:8-9 “but what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10’ for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
The word of faith begins in your heart, as faith. The understanding of faith is perceived by your inner being, as the natural faculties cannot comprehend what has not yet been revealed to them. When we refer to the “eyes of faith” or the “eyes of understanding”, we are not referring to anything in the natural. They are not part of our natural abilities but represent a deep knowing within our inner self about spiritual realities. When this knowing resides in your heart or spirit, it naturally reflects in your speech. If this knowing is absent, your words won’t align with God’s promises.
Ps 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy”.
If you truly believe in your redemption, freedom from sin, and divine blessings, confessing these truths naturally follows. However, if you struggle to affirm these truths, it indicates that they haven’t taken root in your heart yet. In such cases, revisiting Scriptures that promise these blessings and meditating on them can help internalize them.
As you internalize these truths, enlightenment and spiritual understanding deepen within you, signifying the presence of faith. Without belief, you cannot fully experience the blessings promised by God.
Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.