The Measure of Faith

Faith gives reality and proof of things unseen and we treat them as if they were already objects of sight rather than of hope. Hope does not mean “I wish this will happen in my wish list.” No, the hope we live for is in Christ and His works. Hundreds of people saw Christ after His death and some touched His nail scarred hands. There were many who witnessed His resurrection and thus know that they will also be resurrected to be with Him after physical death.
Imagine living in a dark cave all of your life. But you can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Your “hope” is in one day entering into that light at the end of the tunnel. You don’t wish for an imaginary light. It is there and your hope is in reaching that light. Hope means to expect with confidence. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony” (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith is the confidence hoped for. We may not see heaven while living, but we know it’s there. When a believer has faith, it is God’s way of giving that person the confidence and assurance that what is promised will be experienced.
The Greek word for hope is “el-pece” which means to anticipate with pleasure. It means to have a confidence in the truth and living these truths with great expectations of that truth being revealed in a life of faith. Our only hope in this life and in this world is in knowing what truths are hidden to those who ignore the 66 books of the Bible.
“The heart” in Scripture is considered to be the very center and core of life. It is where we store our hope. The inability for one to see and understand spiritual things is not the fault of anyone’s intelligence. It is a matter of the heart. Compassion and love must come from the heart.
The eyes of the heart must be opened by the Spirit of the living God. There are many professing believers who think they are good people and yet do not have a true heart for God. It cannot be an intellectual belief, but a trusting – heartfelt – active – loving and compassionate – step by step walk in obedience to the Word of God through the Spirit abiding in us.
Mankind cannot truly understand much of anything without an intimate knowledge of God. The founders of the United States of America knew these facts in their heart by the words of their writings and declarations. God was included in most of their decisions. Ignorance can only lead to the many forms of worldly idolatry and immorality. It begins with an unwillingness to know God as our Creator, Sustainer, Governor, Savior, and Judge.
Our faith should be a source of continual supply that becomes a reservoir of faith to the world around us. It becomes a wellspring which is made up of our words and abilities and our actions. When we pollute the wellspring, we are grieving the Holy Spirit by quenching His work. He grieves because He is mourning over our impurity and disobedience. It becomes like a contaminated stream that pollutes the rivers and ultimately the lakes and ocean.
Just as Jesus was God in the flesh, we are now Christ-like in the flesh. We are individual members of His body, which is His church. The passion of life flows from its source – the Spirit within you – to the world around you. God designed you to use your gifts and abilities for the good of all mankind. The Holy Spirit provides the gifts and the capability!