Faith, part 16

I’ve referenced Hebrews 11 before, and there’s a reason for that. The entire 40 verse chapter is an excellent discussion on faith. I’ll go through some of these over the next few entries starting with the first verse:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

This is perhaps the best definition of faith there is. Faith is both hope, and belief. Our faith is the only evidence we need for God’s existence, for through faith we can learn to hear His voice. Through faith we can be transformed from the fallen creature we once were, and become something much greater. Through faith we can hope for forgiveness. Through faith we can hope something will help those who suffer throughout this world. Through faith we can become that something.

Those with faith know that His son came down, and died for us. That faith has driven countless people through many generations, and has changed the world. Faith drove Abraham to travel to unknown lands, and compelled Mother Teresa to help the helpless. Faith is why husbands and wives on the verge of divorce are able to reconcile, and remember the love that brought them together. Through faith those who have been hurt by betrayal are able to somehow forgive their betrayers.

Many have been willing to die for faith in the things not seen. Many risk death today worshiping the same God none of us have ever seen face to face. Faith motivates countless people to go to places like Pakistan, Haiti, Uganda, and New Orleans to put an end to suffering. Those with the faith to do such things provide the evidence needed for the Creator we cannot see.

Perhaps we haven’t seen the Lord with our own eyes, or touched Jesus’ wounds with our own hands. That doesn’t matter. We don’t need that for evidence. We’ve seen those who rushed to New York after 9/11 to help clean up the rubble. We’ve seen those who adopt children from across the world. When we have faith then our faith is the evidence. We have faith that gives us hope that a good God sent his sinless son to die for all our sins. That faith is the evidence we need to know God is with us.