“What Faith Is”
Hebrews 10:38-11:6
Sermon Series: “Give Me Faith”
Introduction: We talk a lot about faith, but I wonder if we really understand what true, biblical faith is. I personally think there are a lot of myths about faith so let’s look at the Bible to get a proper understanding of what faith truly is. The following statements express four characteristics of real faith:
1. Faith is humble dependence upon God (10:38). The Scripture says that “the just shall live by faith.” This is a quotation from Habakkuk 2:4 and is also quoted in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11. Habakkuk 2:4 says, “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.” By the way, we can only live by our faith and not somebody else’s, and we can only die by faith when we live by faith. Ultimately, faith is the way to life and the way to live (Ephesians 2:8-9, Colossians 2:6-7). We think of pride and humility as opposites, and they are, but faith and pride are also opposites (Romans 3:27-4:5). Faith admits our inability and relies on the ability of God. This brings Him glory, which is our ultimate purpose. We can only do this by trusting Him instead of ourselves and surrendering to Him as Lord instead of us trying to run our own lives.
2. Faith is supernatural assurance and conviction (11:1). Faith is not a hope-so thing but a know-so thing. It is a supernatural conviction and inner confidence regarding the truth. The Greek word translated assurance, hupostasis, refers to a foundation or the ground on which something is built. It could also refer to a title- deed. John MacArthur writes, “Faith transports God’s promises into the present tense. In other words, real faith implicitly takes God at His word. Faith is a supernatural confidence in-and therefore reliance on-the One who has made the promises…It is the present confidence of a future reality…It is saying that faith is a God-wrought conviction about the truth of the Bible’s promises and
the trustworthiness of Christ…Real faith, however, is a divinely implanted assurance that rises above the natural functioning of the human mind.” MacArthur also writes, “Conviction implies a deeper manifestation of the inward assurance. People of faith are prepared to live out their belief. Their lives reflect a commitment to what their minds and hearts are assured is true. They are so sure of promises and blessings yet future that they behave as if those promises were already realized.” Thus, faith is life-changing.
3. Faith is the means by which we gain spiritual understanding (11:3). The world says that seeing is believing. God says that believing is seeing. This verse is saying that understanding comes through trusting His Word. Faith is a step into the light, not a leap into the dark. It is not unreasonable or irrational, but it goes beyond human reasoning and rationale. It is also saying that the only way to make sense of the world is through believing the Word of God.
4. Faith is the means by which we please God and obtain a good testimony (11:2, 6a). Our forefathers, the Old Testament saints, obtained a good witness from God by their faith. Verse 6 affirms that God is only pleased through faith. Why?
A. We won’t come to God without faith that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.
B. We can’t come to God without faith because it is the only way to be made right with God (Galatians 3:1-14).
C. Faith honors God because it acknowledges His trustworthiness.
D. Faith glorifies God because it gives Him the credit (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
Conclusion: Do you really understand faith? Are you truly living by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
