Hebrews 11:1 - Faith

September 16, 2018

Hebrews 11:1

NIV - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

MSG - The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes like worth living.

I was considering how to show faith to someone who is not a Believer.  How to prove that God is God. Real. Available. I thought of this verse as a great expression of what faith is, so I thought I might see what it says after a bit of reflection.

My first reading through says that these two interpretations are very different.  Together they show many more sides of faith than I anticipated.  I expected the verse to tell me two things.  Sure of what we hope for, and Certain of what we do not see.  But the Message version also shows that faith is a Fact of existence.  That it is a firm Foundation.  Are these the same?  Is sureness also existence?  Does certain encompass a firm foundation?

If faith is what makes life worth living, how do I share that in a way another can see?  I am not sure I can.  How can I convince someone that God exists if He exists in so many forms He is unexplainable, where He exists completely inside of faith?  If there is not any little bit of faith in the promise that God says we can be sure of what we hope for, then no matter what I say, God cannot exist until there is faith that He exists.  There is no way to convince someone of God until they chose to open up the possibility within themselves that there is something to believe in.  Something that is a fundamental fact of existence.

And extending that to myself, how can I pray anything but pure gratitude for what I am already expecting to happen.  Do I doubt it is God's will?  He already said we could ask for anything.  But if we are to be certain of what we do not see, and we have faith that God keeps his promises, then all I can really pray is a thanksgiving for what I expect.  By believing what I know in my heart to be right, then I have faith it is already done.  Do I only say thanks for what I can see has happened?   I do not diminish the value of gratitude for what I have.  But if I say that same real and complete thank you for what I do not see, that I think is where the real faith happens.  That is not easy.  Not even easy to comprehend.  Which is probably why it is hard to get the idea across to someone who can not even fathom God, let alone faith in God.  Without faith, God cannot exist in the conscious mind. And He did give us a strong mind.

But that is a verse for another day.

Let me know what you think of this faith paradox.

Love to you all!