How is Faith a Substance?

By Peace Wobo

What does the Bible mean in Hebrews 11:1 that "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"?

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To understand this better, let's start from the known to the unknown.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

What is a substance?

1. A physical matter; material.

2. The essential part of anything; the most vital part.

3. Considerable wealth or resources.

So, a substance is something you can hold onto. Substance is something you are very sure exists because you can hold it and you can produce results with it.

Then what is Evidence?

1. Facts or observations presented in support of an assertion.

(legally) Anything admitted by a court to prove or disprove alleged matters of fact in a trial.

Evidence is a proof and proof brings every argument to an end. How can you argue that something is not working if the result is right before you?

As Christians, how do we now apply that, what's the substance and evidence of our faith?

The word of God (Bible) or His spoken word is a substance. Faith is anchored on the word, the word brings faith, the word is a word of faith. That's why Romans 10:17 says "so then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". The word is the substance of our faith. Without the word there can never be any faith because it is the only substance with which you can produce results which becomes evidence. 

Now, what evidence do you already have to produce the evidence you need? The Bible has so many evidence on different issues of life, facts of things He did of old which are written in the Bible and there are things you must have witnessed God do in your time and life that is beyond human argument or doubt. I am a living testament in that regard.

Example: I need a child, so I hold on to the word "there shall nothing cast their young nor be barren in thy land" (Exodus 23:26a) - a substance. The evidence "for Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age" (Gen.21:2a) the evidence is found in Genesis, so all I have to do is to hold on to the word everyday and one day I will equally conceive and bare my own children because He who said you shall not be barren has proven beyond doubt that He has all it takes to make you conceive.

All you have to do is keep your hope alive and let your faith be anchored on the hope that you will one day conceive and bring forth. It means you must keep hearing and speaking the word everyday because that is the only way to your faith.

Another example is that you have witnessed God's miraculous provision in the past, as a child of God you can think back and remember how He showed up for you and helped you when you thought all hope was lost. That's your evidence, your life is your most practical evidence that the word of God works so you just have to keep holding on to the word. 

Remain Blessed!

I truly care