Substance and Evidence.... The Wayfarer 5/17/17

  

Substance and Evidence
5/17/17

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

(Hebrews 11:1)

Faith! A small word often used in conjunction with profession of belief in a concept, or action that has not yet occurred.

It is a word often heard used by people communicating belief in someone else, “I have faith in you.”, or I have faith you can do it!”

It is a word that is evidenced by behavior when preparing for the day, as in getting dressed for the forecast weather, preparing for expected challenges that may be faced during the work day, exhibited by many throughout life in various aspects of that life.

A soldier exhibits faith in command when preparing for battle, faith in the leadership to have the correct and adequate intelligence about his enemy, faith in the equipment given to overcome and defeat that enemy, faith in the training that has prepared him to face that enemy, and faith in his own ability to use that equipment, intelligence, and training to meet his objective while remaining safe despite the dangers that are to be faced.

Webster’s defines faith as follows:

1a: allegiance to duty or a person: loyalty. b. fidelity to one’s promises. 2.a. (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God. (2) belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b. (1) firm belief in something for which there is no proof. (2)  complete confidence  3. Something that is believed especially with a strong conviction; especially a system of religious beliefs. And as a second, and annotated as archaic definition, Belief and trust.

To Webster’s second and much more, all encompassing definition, I would add that that Belief and trust is complete, absolute and without doubt or question!

Faith is either extant or extinct! It is either held, or denied! It is either full, and complete, or merely an empty word holding no meaning whatsoever.

There are no quantifiers for faith, no buts, no adjuncts, no addendum, no restrictions.

Faith is not easily obtained in a world that denies that faith and all the tenets that come with that faith, not easily maintained in the face of adversity that would continually seek to destroy it by denying the power held in that faith.

Paul’s definition, as given in the opening verse, gives a wonderful overview of what true faith entails: The substance of things hoped for, and evidence of things not yet seen!

The substance of things hoped for is what allows faith to exist, the evidence of things not seen is the result of that faith!

No  living man has seen the final evidence of faith, not even in the trivial faith shown by dressing in accordance with what has been forecast as the weather…. Until he first walks out the door into that weather!

It is his faith in that forecast that prepares him for what he faces once he walks through that door.

Should he be foolish enough to ignore the forecast of a blizzard and dress for a heat wave, he finds the consequences of his actions intolerable, and immediately returns to the safety of his home to make appropriate correction to his wardrobe before venturing beyond that door again.

The same is true for all the trivialities that are faced in life, triviality grants an opportunity for correction, and correction is made… or in the event it is not made, consequence of a serious nature must be faced.

I know no one stubborn enough to bolt through the door into a blizzard while dressed for the beach expecting to survive the day in that blizzard, if there is such, the consequence would seem evident to even the most foolhardy, it is simply hypothermia, and eventual death without the help of someone else who has the cognizance to give the assistance and care needed to preserve that life.

Faith has to be given by the one giving that care, faith that the action is worthwhile, effective and needed.

Jesus exhibited that faith in us when He chose to come from a glory and joy held only in the presence of his Father to grant us a way to that same joy, and glory, safety and security unimaginable to the human mind.

His Faith was indeed evidenced in that coming, it was the equivalent of the “do over” second chance, for all of mankind.

It is through that gift of God’s grace that we have the evidence, given by his birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of what is available to us through our own faith, eternal life in God’s presence with Him.

Without that faith we choose the consequences of that choice, eternal death, exiled from that presence, denied the intended joy, safety and security, finding only the endless pain caused by our own decision.

The assistance and care mentioned in the example given earlier by one giving assistance to one foolhardy enough to dress improperly for the day having been given warning, is available only through Christ Jesus and what has already been done for us by HIM.

The forecast has been given throughout the scriptures, and the assistance has been offered.

“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

This message, preached by Christ should serve as a reminder to all of the “why is faith necessary?” and the fact that it is needed by all, needed to be shared by all with all.

Still, not all will attain, nor maintain that faith, and that is well is no excuse for the effort that needs to be expended to achieve it.

Revelation 22:10-12

¹⁰ And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

¹¹ He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

¹² And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

As for myself, I am most content with the evidence of what has not yet been seen and pray for others to find that same contentment in FAITH!

2 Timothy 1:12King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus!

Amen and Amen!

the Wayfarer