Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
The conversation about faith is one that I think every single follower of the way of Jesus has engaged at some point in their journey. The reason for that is from the very beginning of our connection to Christ, faith becomes essential. It says in Ephesians chapter 2 that, It's by grace we've been saved through faith. What that means is we don't bring salvation upon ourselves, but we believe in the one who gives salvation freely. That's Jesus. Faith is at the very essence of this whole thing.
In this verse, there's an interesting aspect to faith. It says that faith is the substance or it shows what we've known to be true about our connection to Christ. It's the reality of what we hope for. Basically, faith is produced as a result of our connection to Christ. You might be thinking, well, how does that work if it begins my journey with Jesus by believing in faith? How can faith then be something that comes as a result of my connection to Jesus? It's a really important question.
Faith Through Persecution
Right before this verse, there's something that's notable to me. You see, what's being described in Hebrews chapter 10 are these aspects of following Jesus that are leading the readers of this letter to experience great suffering and challenge because of their yes to Christ. It's described in this book that there are people who follow Jesus that have to hide in holes. They're being captured for their faith. They are being persecuted directly because of their yes to Jesus. In the end of chapter 10, right before the verse we read, it says that we do not shrink back. We will lean in, even in the times of being confronted with challenge.
It goes on to say that faith is the substance. Now, what it's showing us is that we now live differently because of our connection to Christ.
Faith Produces Works
It's really important too, because this conversation about faith can get slippery and tricky sometimes in different circles and situations in our faith community. Some might say that it's up to you to prove your faith in order to justify your connection to Jesus. Some might even go as far as to say, unless you do work, you cannot have faith. What's interesting is, you must look at it in its purest essence, because there's another verse that says, faith without works is dead.
That might even help you see how somebody might come to that conclusion. What I see here in Hebrews and what I believe to be true about the gospel is, it's not unless you work, you don't have faith. Instead, it’s because of your faith, you can't help but work. There is an expression from your life because of your connection to Christ.
That's how we can say that faith is the substance. It is the thing that comes from your connection to Jesus. It's because of the love of Christ that these people were able to withstand persecution and to stand up for the faith. They believed in Christ in faith, and because of their faith in Christ, they were fueled and filled for what they needed to walk out the walk of the kingdom.
Living Faith Today
Today, I don't know what life looks like for you, the challenges that come with your day to day. I want you to know that faith is the substance. It's the reality of what we hope for. It's the evidence of the things we can't see. Our connection to the invisible living God produces faith in our life lived out.
