Faith, Hope, Love - Faith Defined

Faith is one of the most familiar words in church, yet it can also be one of the most misunderstood. In “Faith Defined,” part of the Faith, Hope, Love series, Neil Silverberg opens Hebrews 10 and leads us into Hebrews 11 to give a clear, Scripture-shaped definition of biblical faith: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” From the beginning, he places faith in the context of Hebrews’ warning not to shrink back and its call to endure. True faith is not merely a one-time decision or a vague religious feeling; it is a steadfast posture of the heart that keeps trusting God when life is difficult, answers are delayed, and circumstances tempt us to depend only on what we can see or control. Neil also confronts two common distortions of faith. The first is “blind faith,” the idea that Christians are called to believe without reason, truth, or evidence. Biblical faith is not irrational or detached from reality; it is rooted in the trustworthiness of God and the promises He has spoken. The second distortion is treating faith like a spiritual force that can produce whatever outcome we desire if we simply speak the right words. Through Scripture and a memorable story about someone trying to “speak” a new car into existence, Neil draws an important distinction between faith and presumption. Faith responds to what God has promised; presumption demands what God has not said. From Hebrews, Genesis, Romans, Proverbs, Ephesians, and James, Neil lays out four marks of real faith: faith is fully persuaded, faith trusts, faith works, and faith endures. Abraham becomes the great example of being fully convinced that God is able to do what He promised, and that confidence leads into the foundational Christian doctrine of justification by faith. Neil shows how Paul and James are not contradicting each other: we are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. Genuine faith bears fruit. Finally, Neil emphasizes endurance. Hebrews 10 reminds believers that true faith perseveres rather than shrinking back. Faith holds fast to God’s promises even when suffering comes and even when the fulfillment is not yet visible. Hebrews 11 begins by lifting our eyes to creation itself, reminding us that God made the universe by His Word, ex nihilo, out of nothing. And Hebrews 11:6 calls us to believe not only that God exists, but that He rewards those who seek Him—with the greatest reward being God Himself. If you desire deeper, stronger, more resilient faith, join in the prayer: Lord, increase our faith.