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Hebrews 11:1 - FAITH.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence 
in what we hope for and assurance about what we 
do not see. 

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

Hebrews 11:1 (GNT) To have faith is to be 
sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of 
the things we cannot see. 

INTRODUCTION

Two words describe faith: 'sure' and 
'certain.' These two qualities need a secure beginning 
and ending point. The beginning point of faith 
is believing in God's character - he 'is' who 
he says. The end point is believing in God's 
promises - he will 'do' what he says. When we believe 
that God will fulfill his promises even though we 
don't see those promises materializing yet, we 
demonstrate true faith. [Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARLS

   Dictionaries usually define 
conviction as a fixed or strong belief - but conviction 
is much more than that. In addition to your 
beliefs, your convictions include your values, 
commitments, and motivations.  
   I like the definition of conviction I 
once heard from the great Bible teacher Howard 
Hendricks. He said, A belief is something you will 
argue about. A conviction is something you will 
die for.  
   Your convictions determine your conduct. 
They motivate you to take a stand and act 
according to your values. 
   When you first become a Christian, you 
often do things simply because Christians around 
you suggest or model them. You may pray, read 
the Bible, and attend church services because of 
their example.  
   This is fine for a new Christian; little 
children learn the same way. However, as you grow, 
you must eventually develop your own reasons for 
doing what you do. Those reasons become 
convictions.  
   Biblical convictions are essential for 
spiritual growth and maturity. Ironically, many people 
today have strong convictions about minor issues, 
like football or fashion. At the same time, they 
have weak convictions about major issues - like 
what is right and what is wrong. 
   Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is the 
assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of 
things not seen (NRSV). 
   Developing strong, biblical convictions 
takes time and commitment. But its worth it. In 
the long run, theyll help you live a 
consistent, faith-driven life. [Daily Devotional by Rick 
Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

   Everyone has a measure of faith. Now, 
their faith may not be in God, but they do have 
faith in something. They might have faith in 
themselves, which will be disappointing. Or maybe they 
have faith in a political system, which will be 
even more disappointing. 
   What, then, is faith, and how does it 
work? 
   Hebrews 11:1 gives us an excellent 
definition of faith: Now faith is the substance of 
things hoped for, the evidence of things not 
seen (NKJV). Faith isnt just believing 
something; its acting on what you believe in. 
   You can give mere intellectual assent to 
something and say, I believe this is true. Yet 
the Bible says, Even the demons believe - and 
tremble! (James 2:19 NKJV). 
   Real faith in God is belief plus action. 
Faith does things. If you have real faith, you 
will do something with it. Hebrews 11 talks about 
what various people did with their faith. For 
example, Abel offered a sacrifice, Noah prepared an 
ark, and Abraham obeyed. 
   Faith with no works is a faith that 
doesnt work. 
   Everything in our lives revolves around 
faith. We are saved by faith. Ephesians 2 tells us, 
For by grace you have been saved through faith, 
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of 
God, not of works, lest anyone should boast 
(verses 8"9 NKJV). 
   Not only are we saved by faith, but we 
live by faith and not by feelings. The Bible 
says, The just shall live by faith (Romans 
1:17 NKJV). If we build our Christian lives on 
our emotions, then well be riding a roller 
coaster, if you will, because sometimes were up 
emotionally and sometimes were down. 
   Faith, on the other hand, is steady, 
because we believe the Word of God regardless of our 
emotions. And there is no safer place to put our faith 
than in God. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

   Biblical faith is not amorphous. We 
dont believe in Santa Clause or the Tooth Fairy - 
they have no substance or reality to them. Faith 
believes in the character and the promises of a very 
real God. We demonstrate our faith by acting on 
His Word. 
   Have you ever turned on your radio to 
listen to the traffic reports? We believe these 
reports because someone is up in a helicopter and 
can see much more from the air than we can from 
the ground. They have a different perspective 
than we have. We demonstrate our trust in their 
word by taking a different route to our 
destination. 
   Doppler radar makes weather patterns 
visible, enabling scientists to see something that is 
invisible to the eye. Doppler radar provides a measure 
of safety, especially at airports where wind 
shears could make the ride pretty rough for planes 
about to take off or land. Occasionally, a burst 
of invisible wind could drive a commercial 
airliner to the ground like a toy. 
   In the spiritual realm, we are limited in 
our perspective. We cannot see what is happening 
in that realm unless we believe God, who gives 
us the details. Fire is hot; the sky is blue; 
water is wet; and God tells the truth. If some 
did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify 
the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never 
be! Rather, let God be found true, though every 
man be found a liar (Romans 3:3-4). 
[Alternative View with Dr. Tony Evans; 
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view-with-dr-tony-evans/] 

Counterfeit Faith Or Presumption
   Faith is not feeling. Faith is the 
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things 
not seen. [Hebrews 11:1.] True faith is in no 
sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true 
faith is secure against presumption, for 
presumption is Satans counterfeit of faith. 
   Faith claims Gods promises and brings 
forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims 
the promises, but uses them as Satan did, to 
excuse transgression. Faith would have led our 
first parents to trust the love of God and to obey 
His commands. Presumption led them to transgress 
His law, believing that His great love would 
save them from the consequences of their sin. It 
is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven 
without complying with the conditions on which mercy 
is to be granted. Genuine faith has its 
foundation in the promises and provisions of the 
Scriptures. GW260 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Hebrews 11:1 - Developing Strong Convictions.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211114-1003.html 

Hebrews 11:1 - FAITH.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210618-1018.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs