Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Firm Foundation (or certainty): it is something secure, well founded.
Of the things that are hoped for: hope is for what cannot yet be seen. Faith is the certainty that this hope will surely be fulfilled. Faith does not bring doubts, nor fear, but full conviction. For by the Word of God it shall be accomplished.
Proof of the things that are not seen: True faith consists in believing in what cannot be seen by the eyes or natural senses, but already exists in the spiritual plane . Faith is supernatural. It's something spiritual, coming from God. It is born in the heart, not the mind.
God acts in our lives according to our faith. It's the substance He needs to work. God's action can be limited in us if we have little faith. (See ex. Of Jesus, when he could not work miracles in his homeland. Mk 6: 5).
In v. 2 tells about the good testimony that the ancients gained. Because they believed in God, their lives were changed by his powerful action, leading them to practice justice and truth, even in the midst of a perverse and unbelieving generation. Whoever believes in God and His Word will have a transformed life, changed by the power of God. And it will certainly have a great impact in the midst of a sinful world, immersed in iniquity.
In v. 3 we see that all that God created was by faith. See how God did it: from nothing he created all this wealth and immensity of earth and heaven, and all by faith. So, to change the world there is no other way than faith!
See what a tremendous thing, faith is something that already existed before the world was created, and through it it came into being. So imagine how much she can operate on him and transform him if we act for her! That's why Jesus walked on the sea, that's why he turned water into wine, made a fig tree dry, and told the storm to stop! Jesus acted by faith, hallelujah! We too can do that.
V. 4. Abel was considered righteous, and his offering pleasing to God, why? Because he had faith, unlike Cain. Cain hoped to please God for his merits and offered products of the earth, which do not represent sacrifice, as they have no life. Abel offered the best of the first of his creation. He offered a lamb, which is a living thing, and which denotes true sacrifice. That's why the Bible tells us about living sacrifice. We see then that to make a sacrifice one must have faith, that is the difference between the two, faith!
V. 5. Enoch was a man who walked with God, how? By faith. Faith always brings us closer to God, so don't be afraid when your faith is tested, because right now it's bringing you closer to him, Hallelujah! The verse still says that he pleased God, how? By his faith. What pleases God is not perfection, the absence of flaws, but a heart that believes in him. God wants you to believe, because if you believe he will transform your life and make it the way he wants it to be. Faith, that's what God wants from man. So much so that Enoch was caught up to heaven, because God took him to be with him. What a wonderful thing!
V. 6. No matter how hard a person tries, no matter how hard he tries to do everything right, do good works and everything else, if he does not have faith he cannot please God. We see many asking: Ah! So-and-so isn't a believer, but he's so nice, I think he deserves to go to heaven! But if a person does not have a living faith in the true God, he can never please him, and He is the only one who can take him to heaven. Without faith no one will be saved, it's no use arguing, Ephesians 2:8 says – By grace we are saved, by faith... And this faith has to be in Jesus, because it was Him that God sent to save the world.
Still in v. 6 we learned something tremendous. How do we get closer to God? Believing He to be true. It's such a simple thing. From the moment we believe in God, we start to fear Him, knowing He is just and holy. And our life is changed by the wonderful presence of the Eternal God. But there is something wonderful we learned, God is looking for people who have faith, he is looking for those who fear him. If you go towards God, He will also go towards you, He wants to find you! Hallelujah!
God's deep yearning is to bless people's lives, and He rewards those who seek Him. He is ready and eager to deliver, heal, heal and fill the lives of those who seek him with rich blessings, just have faith. Faith in his great and precious promises! Amen.
