Walking the Talk - Faith

So my son, Cory turned 21 over Labor Day weekend. I was anticipating the "I won't be home tonight because I am going out with my friends". Well, to my surprise he didn't. He spent the evening of his birthday with his family playing a game, laughing and enjoying himself. I must admit however we went to dinner at our favorite pizza place and the waitress brought him his first legal beer. Cory is an adult finishing his last year of college this year. I know he doesn't do everything right but I am proud of his accomplishments and choices. It was a great day of celebrating his life.

Cory wears a chain daily around his neck with dog tags that hit his chest. I bought him these tags for Christmas one year. It has his life verse on it 2 Corinthians 5:7 - Walk by Faith not by Sight. Cory loves this verse and finds his peace in it, so I shouldn't of been surprised by his present to himself for his 21st birthday...a tattoo of the word FAITH. I wanted to say "why did you do that?" but instead acknowledged his choice and I actually like it. He placed it in the upper "inner" arm so it could be discreet under clothing.

I am not blogging about tattoos today. I am saying though - like I told my boys before that just because you put Jesus or some other "religious" or "spiritual"symbol/word on yourself doesn't earn you grace or the character of God. I have done some research on tattoos for our youth group before. I personally don't like the distraction or the labelling/identification that comes with them but didn't find a clear answer in the Bible without taking words out of contexts.

My focus in today's blog is about the word "Faith". What is faith?

Definition of Biblical Faith according to a post by Independent Fundamental Baptist is:


Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, KJV).


Hebrews 11:1 is probably the most concise definition of faith found in the Bible. It is considered the classical definition of faith. Faith is both the substance of things hoped for and the evidence that things exist that are not yet perceived with the senses.


1. Faith Is Substance

The New Testament was written in Koine [common] Greek. The Greek word translated "substance in Hebrews 11:1 is hupostasis, literally, "that which stands under." The derived meaning is "that which has real existence, the basic essence, the actual reality, the substance of something" [Hobart E. Freeman, ThD, Faith (Claypool, IN: Faith Publications, n.d.), p. 3]. It is a condition of the human heart that is as real to God as the thing we asked for will be to us when we receive it. It is the exact image of the thing for which we ask (hupostasis is translated "image" in Hebrews 1:3). When we receive what we have prayed for the image is replaced by the actuality.

2. Faith Is Evidence


The Greek word translated "evidence" is elegchos, which basically means "conviction." John writes,
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (1 John 5:14-15, KJV).


The existence of the God-kind of faith in the human heart is the evidence that what we have prayed for exists. Faith, based on the Word of God, is the evidence—not what we see or don't see—not good or bad circumstances. Faith is not based on human feeling but rather it is based squarely on the fact of what God says. The evidence is not found in the feeling, rational, visible or sense realm.

3. What Faith Is Not

Faith is not mere human hope. Faith is based on the Word of God alone. Human hope may be based on the sands of wishful thinking or human desire, rather than on the rock of the Word of God. Doubt and hope raise the question, "What shall I do?" Faith says, "I have done!" The common phrase, "I am hoping and praying" is incorrect. "I have prayed and am believing" is more scriptural.

Faith is to me like stated above..."I have done...I believe".

I look around my little home, and see smallness but know and believe God is in control and I am grateful. I don't see alot of anything but I have faith that He will provide all I need.

I see a young man stuggling with conviction and draw from God's spirit. I see such human effort to rebel to the call. It is ugly and inconsistent. I don't trust the "sight". I choose to have "faith" in the final outcome and God's victory.

Our checking account has dwindled dangerously low in meeting our bills and needs. There is no job on the horizon for Kevin within my human vision. He is in school full time now but it doesn't "pay". I am technically a full time employee but my hours are less than 40 a week. The benefits are great but the pay is low. I choose not to see the numbers. I "have done" - I have prayed and I believe again in God's faithful provision.

I am saying alot of pretty, Christian words. I am saying all the right things here and truth be known I mean them genuinely and practice them. However, I am human and you are human. Don't think for a moment that queasiness doesn't exist in my stomach, nor think that I don't want to bawl my eyes out in dispair for my husband and his insecurities re: employment. I do have physical and emotional weakness. I am real, but my reality is tempered with this wonderful thing called "faith".

God's word is so powerful and gives such hope and refreshment. When I find myself not wanting to pickup the Bible to study myself because I am feeling discouraged or weak, I look to trusted resources and reach out to Godly friends, and church fellowship. I don't solely rely on this in my walk w/Christ but I admittedly siphon off my more studied friends. Yes, friends, I am a Jesus girl who won't walk away from my faith and will hang from the coattails of another Christian but for a moment when needed.

Today, let's walk by faith. The mirror shows one thing but believe the image will change. The windows may show you a world gone lost but in faith we know this earth is not our home. The wallet may be thin but believe God provides all we need. Your loved one has pulled away from his/her relationship with God, but believe in the faithful,compassionate, slow to anger God who will be moved by your prayers. Have faith today to know you "have done and believe".