Session 11

Belief = Faith

From The Gospel: Five Words You Need to Know

READ:
                    
• Hebrews 11:1–3
• Romans 1:20
• Ephesians 1:18–19
                    
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”—Hebrews 11:1
                    
It seems that “belief” and “faith” are the same thing. And in some ways, that’s true. For faith has its basis in believing. But it is when belief becomes deeply rooted in definite truth that real, living faith takes root. So, what is “faith” and why do we need it?
                    
Hebrews 11 gives us a two part definition of faith. Today, we will look for a minute on the second part: “assurance of what we do not see.” The original word used there when this was first written was “evidence” of what we don’t see. That seems a little off, right? How can we have evidence of what we can’t see? Hebrews 11:3 gives us an answer: “we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” And again in Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Do you see the “evidence” there? Our assurance comes from all that is around us. We do see the power of God in all we come in contact with. But, if that is true, if real evidence is everywhere we look, then why doesn’t everyone see it? The answer to that question is the power of GOD-given Faith.
                    
Real faith is based on real Truth. It is not simply convincing yourself of something long enough that you finally believe it to be true, or believing something into being. As a Christian, do you know how you can see God at work all around you? He has given you the eyes to see it. Ephesians 1:18–19 is a prayer for the “eyes of your heart to be enlightened.” This means your eyes would not see merely from a worldly point of view, but in a spiritual way that allows you to see God moving. Faith like that is the result of the work of the Spirit of Jesus and the Word of God. Do you have that kind of faith that you are able to see and know based on the sight you have been given? Or are you still trying to “will” yourself to believe? Ask God to open your eyes, and get ready for what He allows you to see.
                    
RESPOND:            
• Has there ever been a situation where you simply could not find any “good” or “God” in it, and then God gave you faith in the middle of it?            
• We have discussed in Week 1 what it meant for God to be faithful. What do you think it means for you to be faithful?