“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 AKJ).
What is true believing
faith? And what makes it operate? That Kingdom principle, in regard
to true Scriptural faith, which Paul recorded in Hebrews 11:1, is a
vital truth, which every serious believer, who wants to walk in
victory, needs to apprehend for himself. The majority of the
believing Church, however, has been lulled into a calm and quiet
complacency in regard to the urgency of this Apostolic doctrine. But,
it needn't be that way for anyone who desires to diligently seek the
whole truth contained within the pages of the Bible. (We recommend
the Authorized King James for accuracy.)
Now, the point I'd like to
make for the serious student of the Word, is this: we can't simply
read the scriptures, and merely commit them to memory, although
that's very good, and necessary, but we need to learn how to make
that Word function the way the Father intended. But, in order to do
that, we've got to come to a knowledgeable understanding of what it
is, and how it operates.
The surest method of
reaching the proper interpretation of Scripture is not by way of
man-made doctrines, but, rather, by carefully comparing related
teaching of Scripture on the matter. In Philippians 3:12, Paul shed
light on a truth which further clarifies the spiritual condition of
every believer who wishes to operate effectively in our faith-based
covenant. “...but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for
which also, I am apprehended of Christ Jesus...”
That word translated
“apprehend” is from the Greek “katalambano” meaning “to lay
hold of, and/or lay claim to that which personally belongs to you.”
Obviously, Paul fully
understood what we must also...that, his relationship to Jesus was a
two-way reality, on which every spiritual success was dependent. Paul
knew that Jesus was, and is, the true living vine from which we, as
the connected branches, draw our spiritual nutrition and power (John
15:1-27).
That said, how does faith
itself, as a spiritual reality, differ from mere carnal hope? Simply
put, true believing faith, is never limited by the natural senses (2
Cor. 5:7). Rather, faith is the substance, which translates our
desires, physically, through our spirit, into the material evidence,
before they can be seen physically, or touched, by the very same
method that we obtained our redemption (Romans 10:8-10).
Consider these words of
Jesus...
“If ye abide in me, and
my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be
done unto you” (John 15:7 AKJ).
For questions, and or comments, in regard to the subject matter of this column, you may contact John Knox at johnkknox@windstream.net.