Faith is a Substance
When I begin to talk to those from denominational backgrounds and families about the concept of FAITH, sometimes I hear, “My faith is: Catholic, Lutheranism, Baptist, Reform, blah blah”. When we talk about faith, it is not a sect of Christianity that Jesus refers to, but an attitude of the heart. In His earthly ministry Jesus had faith, God the Trinity has faith, and we as believers are required to have faith. Let’s look at the book of Hebrews 10:38,
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” KJB
Notice that faith is a substance. A substance is somehow tangible. Can you see faith then? No, but you can see the effects of faith. Let’s look at the things that are of this world that are tangible, but you cannot see with your eyes.
- Gravity. You cannot see gravity, but you can see the effects of gravity. Gravity is very real. Throw a rock and watch it come down. Snow falls down, and rain comes down. The earth pulls at the moon with its gravity, the moon’s gravity pulls back and causes tides on earth, yet you still cannot see gravity. You can see its effects and you can see HOW IT IMPACTS THINGS. You can measure it with special devices, but you still cannot see it.
- Electricity. You seldom can see electricity, but you know when it’s there, and you know when it is not there. You can see lightning in the sky, you can see static electricity in clothing, but those are rare sightings. However, you can see the effects of electricity all the time. Light switches turn on the lights, batteries power flashlights, and fences can be charged to keep your cattle in, or intruders out. A meter will show you that power is there, and how much power is available. In all these examples, you can see the effects of electricity, without out visually perceiving it.
- Oxygen. You cannot see oxygen in its normal state as a gas. Oxygen can be cooled, and then you can see it as a liquid, but as a gas in its natural state, you can only see its effects. The level of oxygen in the atmosphere and in the air that we breathe, is 21%. Our blood levels require 95-100% oxygen saturation. If that saturation falls below 92%, you may be limited in your ability to think and move, and need to be put on oxygen. Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen 200-300 times faster in blood absorption than oxygen is absorbed.[1] Historically, in coal mines, canaries were kept underground with the miners, to keep track of the levels of carbon monoxide in the mines. The process of your body, replacing oxygen for carbon monoxide can be devastating. You cannot see oxygen, but you can see the effects of normal or low levels. The effects of low oxygen can be devastating to humans!
Faith is as much a substance as oxygen. If there is not enough oxygen in the air or in your blood, you can see the results of it. If there is not enough faith in your spirit, something Jesus called “little faith”, you can see the results of that too.
You cannot see faith, or smell it, or taste it, but it exists; it’s real and has substance. Its properties and effects can be seen. If you do not have enough faith, it can be devastating! Let’s look at another passage on faith. In Matthew 8:25-26 we read,
“And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.”
Apparently, Jesus could see the effects of little faith in others. Great faith will keep you from perishing.
Our prayer for today,
Father, increase my faith for all the things You want me to carry out in my life, in Jesus’ name, amen!
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539815/
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