¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Definitions of a theological nature are curious things. We like to package what we believe in neat, tidy statements with words that are concise and understandable. For such statements the words need to be carefully defined, so commentaries often cover the more well accepted statements. The Nicene Creed is the earliest universally accepted creed among Christians, yet even there some aspects of wording need extended commentary.

In our passage today we find the closest thing in Scripture to a doctrinal statement on the subject of faith. Some call it the definition of faith. It is simple and poignant. Faith is defined in two aspects: assurance and conviction. Following this simple statement we find a commentary in the form of biographical illustrations, a list of individuals who exemplified faith. This chapter of Hebrews is often called God’s Hall of Faith. In these individuals God desires us to see what faith looks like in action, in human flesh. A life lived by faith is God’s commentary on what faith is all about. First, let’s look at the statement itself.

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for …” In one sense, our hope carries its own assurance. Remember earlier we defined hope as expectancy with desire. We desire that spiritual rest in God through Christ, that is, freedom from the spiritual war over our destiny and our relationship with God. And through hope, we expect to experience fully in the future what we now taste this side of eternity. One of the clear hallmarks of a genuine Christian is this kind of hope.

Faith is closely associated with this hope, because faith breeds hope. Our faith in Christ rests on the once-for-all sacrifice. His offering is sufficient for all of eternity; otherwise He would have needed to offer Himself repeatedly (which, as we saw earlier, is completely unnecessary). So faith in Christ inherently brings hope for the future! We are forgiven and have direct access to God now, and we believe, therefore we hope, that this will remain true in the future.

Faith is also the “conviction of things not seen.” It has to do with things not yet in our hands. Until Christ returns, we hold these things to be true and act on them by faith, that we are fully forgiven and have immediate and bold access into God’s presence. Thus we experience the benefits now. But the full benefit is yet future, not yet seen. By faith, we are fully convinced it will come.

Lord, Your coming is closer now than ever before. So I hold on until You come. I am convinced, I am assured, I have hope and I have faith.