1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Preamble
Chapter eleven is the greatest abbreviated Scriptural testimony of the history of the people of God who all lived by faith, who by faith overcame incredible obstacles, who survived and surpassed their overwhelming circumstances, who held fast their confession of hope firm to the end in the world that was hostile towards them, even unto their deaths! It is a chapter then loaded with examples of ordinary people who by the power and grace of God did extraordinary things (2 Cor 12:9-10). Who when called by God answered His call, and then went onto do and accomplish and establish only what He could do through them as they lived by faith in Him. And so for us who believe there is so much encouragement in recalling their lives, their trails, their sufferings, their faith, that led them to forsake their lives, their families, their countries, their "treasures," or whatever would have held them back from pursing the Will of God for their lives, because they believed His Word spoken to them, therefore they went forward in faith embracing the promises of God as they journeyed homeward with Him.
Commentary
Vs. 1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Now this beautiful declaration of faith is stated in light of the previous chapters warnings of the apostate and their unbelief in departing from the living God. Faith then is being assured of the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It is a conviction, a trust in God that is born by God inside every soul who seeks Him, who needs Him above all else. It then is not something sustained by the determined will of man, (whose hearts and lives are only being directed by their own fleshes desires) but by the Spirit of God who enlightens and illuminates and guides every soul who believes in God's Word spoken to them. Faith in God then is the most tangible thing in this fleeting world when it has God as the Originator, Object, and Director of it.
Vs. 2 "For by it the elders obtained a good testimony."Now this beautiful declaration of faith is stated in light of the previous chapters warnings of the apostate and their unbelief in departing from the living God. Faith then is being assured of the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It is a conviction, a trust in God that is born by God inside every soul who seeks Him, who needs Him above all else. It then is not something sustained by the determined will of man, (whose hearts and lives are only being directed by their own fleshes desires) but by the Spirit of God who enlightens and illuminates and guides every soul who believes in God's Word spoken to them. Faith in God then is the most tangible thing in this fleeting world when it has God as the Originator, Object, and Director of it.
And so by faith the elders or fathers of the faith obtained a good testimony. No clearer example of this is exhorted to us then that of Abraham who as Genesis 15:6 states, "believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness."
Vs. 3 "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
And so unlike those who have faith in their own understanding, in what they can discover and explain for themselves, "By faith faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." The Word of God then not only explains the origins of our being, and how all of creation came into being, but it was also by that very Word that all of creation came into being. The whole notion then of random acts of chance as the origins of anything is not only the ultimate folly, but it has behind it origins Satan the father of lies who wants nothing more than for mankind to remain in darkness and all ignorance about God. Therefore throughout the Word of God there is the constant affirmation of God who is the Creator of and Sustainer of everything (Psalm 104:27-30). And so He alone is deserving of all of our adoration and praise because it was God who not only created us all, but He also wants to redeem us all who believe in Him through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore I urge you to put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and be reconciled to God today, for it is through Jesus Christ alone that we receive remission of all our sins and everlasting life, therefore be reconciled to God today!
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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