Faith is the Assurance

I want to speak of, the Faith of the believer in Christ, the Faith in the Church and the faith within ourselves.In the Revised version of the Bible, it speaks of faith in this manner; Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance (trustworthiness and abiding, unwavering confidence. To know what is and is not.) of things hoped for, the proving, (Trying; ascertaining; evincing; experiencing.

)of things not seen.Barnes states of this version; Quote; The idea here is, "ground or confidence." There is scarcely any verse of the New Testament more important than this, for it states what is the nature of all true faith, and is the only definition of it which is attempted in the Scriptures.

Eternal life depends on the existence and exercise of faith." Unquote.In this last phrase Barnes states that Eternal life depends upon, "the existence and exercise of faith." In a way I agree with him, for we must, as believers, first believe that "God is", but we must look at who is going to be eternal, this is where I disagree with this statement.

Eternity and being immortal, is a destiny of all manner of men, and not just the Saved. Men have always looked for a way to become immortal, they shall receive immortality but not in this life.In Isaiah 66:24, we see the proof of this; "And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men(Body's) that have transgressed(Sinned) against me(God): for their worm(Soul) shall not die(but be Immortal), neither shall their fire(Punishment, rewards for their mortal actions.

) be quenched(Set aside); and they shall be an abhorring(Revulsion) unto all flesh.(Those that are alive)".In the King James version we see; Now faith is the substance ("that which stands under." In a general sense, being; something existing by itself; that which really is or exists; equally applicable to matter or spirit. Thus the soul of man is called an immaterial substance, a cogitative substance, a substance endued with thought.

)of things hoped for(This covers many of our wants and desires.), the evidence (conviction, Greek word denotes "putting to the test," examining for the purpose of proof, bringing to conviction.)of things not seen.

The confidence of faith is based, not on "works of righteousness which we have done".Our confidence in God is based on our ability to believe God and His word. Our substance is supplied by God, 1. According to our level of faith.

and 2. By our ability to hold fast our profession of Faith. The phrase," faith is the substance", declares that our physical needs that are, supplied by God, in a manner and timing of His choice and not ours, are the things that we can see. The substance of things hoped for, is any or all the needs of the physical flesh, which includes, food, clothing, healing and instruction.We initially began our Faith with believing that there was a God.

Heb 11:6 But without faith(Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence; the judgment that what another states or testifies is the truth. The assent(To admit as true; to agree, yield or concede, or rather to express an agreement of the mind to what is alleged, or proposed.To the mind as to the truth.

) it is impossible to please him(God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. As you see faith begins in the mind and not of the other senses. This is the reason that Satan and the other spirits of anti-Christ, desires to control the mind of man. If we loose control of our thoughts, then we start loosing control of our faith.

Its like the story of the old woman, that asked God to remove a mountain from her back yard, so she could see the valley on the other side. She prayed and went to sleep, the next morning she proclaimed, "Just as I thought, Its still there.".She declared that, the night before she didn't believe in her prayer to be answered, her faith wasn't what it should have been.

Then faith grew to believing that Jesus was the Son of God. Our very existence as a Christian is based on Faith.In Matthew 6:25, we see Jesus trying to explain what our faith should be based upon. "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Jesus stated very clearly; "Take no thought"( Be not burdened by).1.

"your life." (We have no control over our life as far as the state of the physical body, for many things that happen to us are common. We neither have control over our death.).

2."eat." Our daily food is provided by the Lord without respect to persons. Being Believers in Him.3. "drink" This is the same as food, God knows that these body's can't survive, so He provides us with water.

4. "what ye shall put on." Clothing is also provided by God to cover our nakedness.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God (Salvation of the soul must be our priority before anything that this life offers. Our needs are met by Gods riches in Heaven and not by our works.), and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Mat 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. According (Here the whole preceding parts of the sentence are to accord, i.e.

agree with, correspond with, or be suitable to, what follows. According, here, has its true participial sense, agreeing, and is always followed by to.It is never a preposition.) We cannot put our trust in man, for man will always let you down. He has no way of answering prayer, his money is corrupt and his intentions are in question.

In Phi 2:21 we see this, "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." Who has separated himself from the Mercies of God, who has turned aside the promises of God and has turned to seek help from his neighbor, who has denied his faith and turned to the things of this world, who stands with God?."If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,.Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." We must act, According to Knowledge, According to Truth, and According to Faith.

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A. R. Smith Ministries
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/.

By: Anthony Smith