Hebrews 11:1 -Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see
This is quite a famous definition of faith and most of the believers can quote this even from sleep. While examining this closely, we see 2 words here which are quite significant. They are "confidence" and "assurance". This distinguishes hope and faith. We often exchange the words hope and faith. In reality, they are quite different. Once I read online which distinguished these 2 terms quite nicely. Hope is joyful expectation and Faith is certain expectation. Hope is simply an outcome which we desire with expectation. Faith is something that is certain to happen, with expectation as well.
Here in Hebrews 11, we see faith is not something that we hope for. But it is something in which we have confidence and assurance. How does this simple hope become a certain faith? It is not the level of faith a person has. Many modern preachers make people fall into the trap that it is the level of faith which determines the outcome. It is quit dangerous! It is not the mindset of a person. Or not just confidence level of a person. It does not work that way.
What matters is, object of faith. Faith should be anchored on Jesus Christ. Faith anchored on anything other than Jesus will not please God. It is this object of faith which gives confidence and assurance. Hope of the promises of God become assurances because they are based on Jesus Christ. I can write to someone that I owe them money in a piece of paper and even sign it. It will not hold good in court. Because it is based on nothing. However, something in a bond will hold good legally. It is still the same message and same signature. And both were made out of paper. But one is legally accepted and other is not. Faith is similar to that. One might hope for eternal life. It is an assurance only when it is based Jesus Christ and His work in Cross.
Bible says if we have faith like mustard seed, we can move mountains. Uproot trees. It does not mean if we have a very weak faith. Being very doubtful or anything like that. It is not just the level of faith a person has, which determines the outcome. It is object of faith which determines the outcome. Even faith like mustard seed, when rooted in Jesus Christ, can produce tremendous outcome. Because it is God who has promised and He is the one who brings it to pass. In other words, Faith outside of Jesus Christ is a mere hope with no assurance!
Your thoughts on this topic? Feel free to add..
This is quite a famous definition of faith and most of the believers can quote this even from sleep. While examining this closely, we see 2 words here which are quite significant. They are "confidence" and "assurance". This distinguishes hope and faith. We often exchange the words hope and faith. In reality, they are quite different. Once I read online which distinguished these 2 terms quite nicely. Hope is joyful expectation and Faith is certain expectation. Hope is simply an outcome which we desire with expectation. Faith is something that is certain to happen, with expectation as well.
Here in Hebrews 11, we see faith is not something that we hope for. But it is something in which we have confidence and assurance. How does this simple hope become a certain faith? It is not the level of faith a person has. Many modern preachers make people fall into the trap that it is the level of faith which determines the outcome. It is quit dangerous! It is not the mindset of a person. Or not just confidence level of a person. It does not work that way.
What matters is, object of faith. Faith should be anchored on Jesus Christ. Faith anchored on anything other than Jesus will not please God. It is this object of faith which gives confidence and assurance. Hope of the promises of God become assurances because they are based on Jesus Christ. I can write to someone that I owe them money in a piece of paper and even sign it. It will not hold good in court. Because it is based on nothing. However, something in a bond will hold good legally. It is still the same message and same signature. And both were made out of paper. But one is legally accepted and other is not. Faith is similar to that. One might hope for eternal life. It is an assurance only when it is based Jesus Christ and His work in Cross.
Bible says if we have faith like mustard seed, we can move mountains. Uproot trees. It does not mean if we have a very weak faith. Being very doubtful or anything like that. It is not just the level of faith a person has, which determines the outcome. It is object of faith which determines the outcome. Even faith like mustard seed, when rooted in Jesus Christ, can produce tremendous outcome. Because it is God who has promised and He is the one who brings it to pass. In other words, Faith outside of Jesus Christ is a mere hope with no assurance!
Your thoughts on this topic? Feel free to add..