What is Faith? - Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Let’s being with a basic definition of faith; what is faith? Faith, according to Oxford’s Dictionary, is the complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Faith is a noun, it not simply an action word, but rather, a thing – faith is to put trust and belief in God.

What about assurance? Assurance is a positive declaration intended to give confidence; the confidence that one can rely on someone or something. This furthers the notion of trust in God, and in His Word. “Things hoped for” are already expressed in the Word of God; “we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ... we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God... and hope does not put us to shame...” (see Romans 5:1-5).

Conviction is defined two ways: (1) a firmly held belief or opinion; (2) in the court of law, evidence that the party being accused is guilty of a crime. Conviction, in light of this verse study, is to have a deep seated belief God will do as He says He will, even though we cannot see it yet.

Faith is the basic ingredient to begin a relationship God. Faith enables us to believe God is sovereign, He is the Creator of the universe (see Nehemiah 9:6) and He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask, think, or image (see Ephesians 3:20). “Faith is the assurance that the things revealed and promised in the Word are true, even though unseen, [faith] gives the believer a conviction that what he expects in faith, will come to pass.” – source: Hebrew Roots, The Original Foundation

Based on my own experience, often when faced with a stressful situation, the concept of faith is suggested to replace any fear being experienced. For example, when someone is fearful, one might say to the other, “don’t fear; have faith”. Faith is not the opposite of fear; faith is actually activated in the midst of fear. “I have never had faith without being surrounded by fear... Faith springs out of the ground and the fertility of fear... the real art to life is not to be controlled by the feeling of fear, but to let faith drive the wheel, even if fear is sitting in the back seat... because you cannot count on fear to get out of the car in order for you to be mobile... you want your faith to drive the car... be driven by faith” - Bishop T.D. Jakes #AskBishopJakes