What Is Faith?

“Now faith is” – The writer here is about to define faith. Three phrases help define the kind of faith that God is looking for in believers: Faith is assurance; Faith is conviction; and Faith is the means of God’s of obtaining approval.

I. Faith is Assurance (1a)

A. Greek: hupastasis – better understood as substance, reality, confidence, guarantee.

1. It is the scientific experiment that when all things are put in place, you receive the same outcome every single time.

2. While this specific word only appears in Hebrews, it's tied directly to Christ and His nature.

3. Our faith is directly connected to who Jesus is; His character; His person.

4. As believers, your faith is not a blind faith; it is a faith that is wrapped up in all the archaeological evidence, all that we innately recognize in nature, as well as the very nature of God Himself.

5. When atheists say that there is no God, they are denying the evidence that surrounds them (Rm. 1:18-23). If you know Christ today, you have a faith that is grounded in facts and substance; it is not blind.

II. Faith is Conviction (1b)

A. Greek: élegchos – again, only appears in the book of Hebrews.

1. This word not only speaks to what we believe; anyone can believe anything, but that doesn’t make it true.

2. This word carries the very manifestation of Truth. Jn. 1:1

3. Again, this word finds it very meaning in Christ Himself.

4. Atheists have tried to say that we have no evidence that Jesus ever existed. Bart Ehrman.

5. Again, grounded in historical facts, our faith is one of substance and evidence, therefore giving us conviction that what we possess is not opinion, but fact. Truth of very truth!

III. Faith is the Means of Gaining Approval (2)

A. Whose approval? God’s approval.

1. This is where the old phrase “seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing” comes into play. Now, that doesn’t set well with atheists and agnostics, but once the evidence for Christ becomes overwhelming, you can’t help but see the truth.

2. This is based on a life that is lived according to the standard of God’s word, and not by the emotion or cultural pressures or persuasion.

3. How do I know that I am approved by God? Because I am not dependent on my feelings; I am fully trusting in the Word of God and the Work of God on the cross.

B. God does not accept us on the basis of our works and what we can do for Him or His Kingdom. He accepts us on the basis of Christ’s finished work on the cross. GOSPEL

IV. Faith is Conditional (6)

A. Faith is based on belief

1. Verse 6, “must believe”

2. Jn. 6:27-29

B. Jesus did not say that He was a way or one way among many ways.

1. Jn. 14:6

2. Acts 4:12

• Faith will give you assurance. It will cause you to trust God more deeply.

• Faith will deepen your conviction. It will cause you to do things for God you would not do without it.

• Faith will gain God’s approval. It will help you see how He sees you in Christ.

• Faith must be directed toward Christ and nothing else.