The subject matter of faith is very important in the quest to a triumphant living of any believer. As a matter of fact, Hebrews 6 classifies it as one of the foundational doctrines of Christ. Thus, it is necessary to have a review of what faith is, and how the actualization of the Faith of the believer comes into existence.
It is strange that it is believed that the work of Jesus perfected everything except our faith. It is a big misnomer that believers believe that God’s duty was redemption and provision of all that we need, while our duty is faith. No!!! Faith is not the duty of a believer. Isn’t it rather questionable that God will leave out an obligation of actualization of the redemption to the believer? The same way that we did not have a hand in the righteousness we currently operate in, or have a hand in the abounding grace of God that has been shed towards us, is the same way we do not have a hand in the activation of the person of faith. If our righteousness were as a filthy rag before God that he had to perfect us by His own Righteousness in the person of Jesus, how much more “Our” faith. Titus 2:11 says that the grace of God has appeared to all men, bringing salvation to all people. This means that the fullness of the grace of God was the person of Jesus. We therefore live in the reality of the grace of God, so also the faith of God has appeared to all men who is Christ Jesus. Thus we must live in the reality of the faith of God. The faith we operate by is not our own faith, because we do not operate by our own righteousness but the righteousness of God, we do not operate by our own grace but the grace of God. Isn’t that beautiful? Jesus is what faith is. Hallelujah
The primary scripture used in the teaching of Faith being Hebrews 11:1 that “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV). In the interpretation of this scripture, the precedence to this verse is to be considered. Hebrews 10 draws a juxtaposition between the sacrifices offered in the old testament of bulls and goats which were not exactly what the Lord was looking for, as He was looking for a temple to dwell in, which was done in the person of Jesus Christ once and for all by which we are sanctified by the offering of His body. Verse 20-23 of Chapter 10 goes further to say that “by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say His flesh(Jesus’ flesh); and having an High Priest (Jesus Hebrews 3:6) over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Jesus the new way), having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;). We then see that our assurance of faith is assurance in the person of Jesus. Being that He solved the sin problem once and for all reconciling us to the father. “Now the Just (Righteous) shall live by faith(Jesus): but if any man having knowledge of this faith (Jesus) draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (10:38).
So, the interpretation of Hebrews 11:1 is that Jesus is the manifestation of the promise of the father. He is the substance (full weight/matter) of the long-awaited hope, the evidence of things (promises/righteousness) not seen.
Another complication that arises is that when faith is preached, the faith described in Hebrews 11:1, is differentiated from the faith defined in Hebrews 12:2, stating that the faith of Hebrews 11 is inexistent in this present dispensation, because it was the faith of the old testament. However it would seem that it will be apposite to state that scripture will not contradict itself. The definition of faith in the bible must be consistent, and indeed is consistent. So, it is not very accurate to say that faith differs in dispensation. What happened in Hebrews 11 having listed the heroes of faith is that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross created substance for what the “heroes of faith” in the old testament operated on. That is, we must remember that the death of Jesus on the cross of Calvary happened outside the existence of time, thus back dating what the people in the old testament did and actualised it as faith. The same way that the believers of old were saved when Jesus arose from the dead is the same way the message of faith was actualised in their deeds. Now every believer after the death and resurrection of Christ starts on the pedestal of the fact that Jesus has come (the completion). this however does not mean that the old testament heroes did not operate on what we are operating on, they did. Because as a matter of fact that Jesus substantiated and fulfilled their belief on the cross. The emphasis on Hebrews 11 is NOW!!! That means that it has always been before Hebrews 12. We must remember that in eternity, time is inexistent, that means Faith has always been, it is, and will forever be the person of Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 then says looking unto Jesus, the author-finisher of our faith, who for the glory that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. This means that Jesus is faith, we are in the FAITH OF GOD.
Now that it is established that we are in the faith of God, just as we are in the grace of God, what is the position of the believer to manifest His (God’s) faith and produce result? The most potent place of activation or manifestation of God’s faith, is when the believer remains in His rest. Hebrews chapter 4 makes this very clear that when the gospel is preached, for it to profit anyone, it must be mixed with faith (that is, the acceptance of the person of Christ), that is the only method by which a person can enter rest. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Seeing that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession!!! Thus, the profession of the work of our High Priest forever is the process of remaining in rest and that is when faith is at the most potent.
Are you faced with any situation of life that seems to be drowning you and looks like you will not get out of? Look unto your High Priest Jesus Christ by professing his finished work to that situation, cursing that sickness at its very root and killing the life of that problem. This is how we overcome, this is faith.
Hallelujah, Praise Jesus!!!
Gbolagunte Oladotun