RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-05-07	Faith Is The Evidence Of Things Not Seen (He.11:1)
		Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The author of Hebrews demonstrates that Jesus is supreme and challenges the readers to focus on Him (He.12:1-2). Paul illustrates a principle of hope. We eagerly wait for the redemption of our body since it is not yet a reality now (Ro.8:23). He argues that in hope we have been saved and that hope is not seen. Hope is not hope if it is seen. There is no more need for hope because what we were hoping for would be reality (Ro.8:24). Because we do not yet see it, it remains hope, and we wait eagerly with perseverance to see it (Ro.8:25). Paul suggests we can endure momentary light affliction because of the weight of glory it produces in us (2Co.4:17). The things that are not seen are future eternal things (2Co.4:18). Elsewhere Paul argues for the superiority of love over faith and hope (1Co.13:13). Love never fails (1Co.13:8). But faith will one day be unnecessary, as it will be turned to sight. Hope will be realized and be unneeded after that. Love will sustain throughout eternity. Back in Hebrews, the term “evidence” often refers to an argument or a case being made. Faith is an argument for the not yet seen. Faith does not prove something that is not yet seen. Only the One who made the promise can prove the promise by fulfilling it. Therefore, faith is only as good as the object of one's faith. Faith is not faith in faith. It is faith in Christ. Faith is the certainty of something that one does not see and yet an argument for its validity. Again, faith is only as good as the object of that faith. The author directs us to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of the faith (He.12:2). The power of faith is not on its own merits, for faith is temporary. The power of faith is in the One who began the faith and who will complete the faith. Because Christ is trustworthy, faith is an assurance for things not seen. Because Christ is trustworthy, faith is an argument for things not seen. Because Christ is trustworthy, faith is evidence for things not seen. Because of the cloud of witnesses from Hebrews 11, we can be encouraged in our lives that God will fulfill His promises for us as well. Until we see that come to pass, our faith in Christ is evidence of things not seen. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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