"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

The Greek word for faith here is Pistis and is defined in 'Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible' as, "persuasion, I.e. credence; conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher..."

'Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words' states it as, "Primarily, firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing, what is believed...is used in the N.T. always of faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual. The word is used of trust...trustworthiness."

My NKJV Study Bible defines faith as 'confidence in the testimony of another' and refers to Hebrews 11:1-3 as 'the definition of faith', "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
By faith we understand that the worlds were formed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

Let's see what Scripture tells us of faith. Faith results from,
* The Scriptures:
The Apostle John tells us the purpose of his gospel:
"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." John 20:30-31
*Preaching:
Jesus in His Priestly prayer prays for all believers through the words of His disciples, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word." John 17:20 *The Gospel:
The Apostle Peter debated with the apostles and elders concerning the gentiles keeping the Law, reminded them, "And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them 'Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.'"
Acts 15:7

Saving faith comes from the heart:
Romans 10:9-10 tells us,
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation."

Jesus speaks of a temporary faith in the parable of the seeds/soil, "But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptations fall away." Luke 8:13

James chapter 2 speaks of an intellectual and dead faith, Vs. 19 says, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!"
Vs. 20, But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"

The place of faith in the Christian life:
Romans 1:17 tells us we are to live by faith, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'"

We walk by faith:
2 Corinthian 5:7,
" For we walk by faith, not by sight."

We pray in faith according to God will:
Jesus tells us in Matthew 21:22,
"And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
(Read Vs. 21 as well)

We resist evil by faith (faith is a part of the full armor of God):
"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Ephesians 6:16

We are all familiar with the 11th Chapter of Hebrews--the faith chapter.
Read it once more and take heart all those who are in circumstances that press you right into the Lord. Our problems loom large to us, but we have not been tested as these! And they did not receive the promise! BUT we have!!
"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Hebrews 11:13

Thank you Lord for Your gracious plan that placed us in this time of history. We are here by your appointment and may our hearts desire to be all that you have purposed for each life. Amen