The Conviction of Things Not Seen: A Study on Faith
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Introduction
Wilberforce was a British politician who, along with a group of like-minded individuals, worked tirelessly to end the slave trade in the British Empire. Despite facing great opposition and many setbacks, Wilberforce had a strong conviction that slavery was wrong and that it was his calling to end it. He had faith that God would eventually bring about justice and that his efforts would make a difference. This faith gave him the assurance and hope he needed to persevere through many years of difficult work, and eventually he saw the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire. Wilberforce's faith allowed him to endure difficult circumstances and to work towards a greater cause, and his efforts have had a lasting impact on history.
Faith is an essential component of the Christian life. It is a confident belief in something that we cannot physically see or touch. It is a trust and reliance on God, even when we do not fully understand His plans.
The importance of faith in the Christian life cannot be overstated. Faith allows us to have a personal relationship with God and to trust in His promises. It gives us hope and helps us to endure difficult circumstances. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). As we read through this passage and consider the examples of faith mentioned, may we be inspired to grow in our own faith and trust in God more fully.
What is the meaning of Hebrews 11:1?
In Hebrews 11:1, the author writes, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." The word "assurance" in this verse refers to a feeling of certainty or confidence. It is a conviction that something is true and will come to pass. The word "conviction" refers to a strong belief that something is true, even in the face of doubt or uncertainty.
Faith leads to assurance and conviction because it allows us to trust in God and His promises, even when we cannot see the immediate outcome. For example, Abraham had faith that God would fulfill His promise to make him the father of many nations, even though he was old and childless (Romans 4:17-21). His faith gave him assurance and conviction that God would do what He had promised, and it allowed him to hope in God's plan for his life.
Hope is an important aspect of faith because it allows us to look forward to the future with confidence and expectation. When we have hope, we can endure difficult circumstances and persevere through trials because we have a confident expectation that God will work things out for our good (Romans 8:28).
Examples of Faith in Hebrews 11
The examples of faith in Hebrews 11 are meant to encourage and inspire believers to have faith in God and His promises. Here is a brief summary of each example and what they teach us about faith:
Abel's faith
Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice to God, even though it cost him his life (Hebrews 11:4). This teaches us that faith involves obedience to God, even when it is difficult or requires sacrifices. We can apply this lesson by being willing to follow God's commands and trust in His plan, even when it may be challenging.
Noah's faith
Noah built the ark, even though he faced ridicule and disbelief from those around him (Hebrews 11:7). This teaches us that faith involves trusting in God's Word and following His instructions, even when others do not understand or agree. We can apply this lesson by being obedient to God's Word, even when it is unpopular or misunderstood.
Abraham's faith
Abraham left his home and followed God's call, not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). This teaches us that faith involves trusting in God's plan for our lives and being willing to follow wherever He leads. We can apply this lesson by seeking to know God's will for our lives and being willing to follow Him, even when it takes us out of our comfort zone.
Sarah's faith
Sarah believed that God would give her a son, even though she was past childbearing age (Hebrews 11:11). This teaches us that faith involves trusting in God's power to do the impossible and to fulfill His promises. We can apply this lesson by believing in God's power to work in our lives and to bring about His plans, no matter how impossible they may seem.
Moses' faith
Moses trusted in God's plan to deliver the Israelites from slavery and led them out of Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-27). This teaches us that faith involves trusting in God's power to overcome obstacles and to bring about His plans. We can apply this lesson by trusting in God's power to work in our lives and to bring about His will, even when we face challenges or obstacles.
Rahab's faith
Rahab, a Gentile and a prostitute, believed in God's power to protect and deliver her and her family (Hebrews 11:31). This teaches us that faith is not limited by our background or circumstances, and that anyone can have faith in God and be saved. We can apply this lesson by believing in God's power to save and transform us, no matter our past or present circumstances.
The Relevance of Faith for Believers Today
Faith allows us to endure trials and difficult circumstances
When we have faith in God, we can trust in His power to work in our lives and to bring about His good plans, even when we face challenges or struggles. This can give us hope and strength to endure difficult circumstances, knowing that God is with us and that He has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives (Romans 8:28).
Building our faith through reading and meditating on God's Word
Reading and meditating on God's Word is essential for building and strengthening our faith. As we read and study the Bible, we learn about God's character, His promises, and His plan for our lives. This helps us to understand who God is and to trust in His goodness and faithfulness. It also helps us to grow in our knowledge of the gospel and to be better equipped to share it with others.
The role of faith in our relationship with God
Faith is essential for having a personal relationship with God. When we have faith in Jesus, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He has forgiven us and that we are reconciled to Him through Jesus' death on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our faith also allows us to trust in God's plan for our lives and to follow His leading.
The role of faith in sharing the gospel with others
Faith is also important in sharing the gospel with others. When we have faith in Jesus and the message of the gospel, we can share it with others with confidence, knowing that it is the truth and that it has the power to transform lives. Our faith in Jesus also gives us the courage to share the gospel with others, even when it is difficult or unpopular to do so.
Reflection Questions
1. How does the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 inspire or challenge you in your own faith journey? What does it mean to you to have "assurance" and "conviction" in your faith?
2. In what ways have you seen faith at work in your own life or in the lives of others? How has your faith impacted your life?
3. As you read through the examples of faith in Hebrews 11, which individuals or stories stand out to you? Why do they resonate with you, and how can you apply the lessons of their faith to your own life?
Prayer of the Day
Dear God,
Thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for the assurance and conviction that come with trusting in You. Help us to have faith like Abel, who obeyed You even though it cost him his life. Help us to have faith like Noah, who trusted in Your Word and followed Your instructions, even when others did not understand. Help us to have faith like Abraham, who left his home and followed Your call, not knowing where he was going.
We pray for the strength to endure difficult circumstances and trials, knowing that You are with us and that You have a purpose for everything that happens in our lives. We pray for a deepening of our faith as we read and meditate on Your Word. Help us to know You more fully and to trust in Your goodness and faithfulness.
We pray for the courage to share the gospel with others, knowing that it is the truth and that it has the power to transform lives. May our faith in Jesus give us the confidence to speak His name and share His love with those around us.
We pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen.
