Friend, if there’s one word that has carried me through both the highs and lows of life, it’s this – faith. Faith is the very foundation of our walk with Christ, and yet, it’s one of the hardest concepts to truly grasp. Why? Because faith asks us to believe in what we cannot see, to hope for what has not yet come, and to anchor our lives on promises that are eternal, not temporary.
Our faith as Christians is being tested constantly. Think about it, when we take that step of “faith” and invite Jesus into our hearts, to dwell and allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide, spiritually, we have moved into a whole different realm of living. At that very moment, we are NO LONGER a part of “this” world, but of eternity. We are no longer dead, but alive (Romans 6:11). Remember loved one, faith is complete reliance on God and His perfect plan for us. Next is further explanation of what faith is, trusting in the powerful word of God.
In this way, I love what I heard in a podcast I was listening to the other day – the gentleman stated, “We are spiritual beings living as humans, not humans, trying to understand spirituality.” That reality resonated with me, in remembering (as the enemy always desires to overshadow), eternity is it, eternity is ultimately what we are living for today, it is the true “final destination”. Write it down to be etched into your soul, so you will not be deceived.
What Is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith beautifully: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It’s not wishful thinking. It’s not crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. Faith is certainty. It’s trusting that God is who He says He is, even when our eyes can’t see Him and our hearts can’t always feel Him.
We live in a world that demands evidence, but God calls us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). And this, this right here, is where hope enters in. Especially today, when there is so much uncertainty, with questions, “Why, God, why did this bad thing have to happen? Why are there people who are so violent, and immoral?” – Ultimately, satan is the answer, but our hope is in the power of God, the omniscience and omnipotence of our Heavenly Father and the excitement in the truth of Heaven.
Hoping in the Unseen
The truth is, much of what we cling to in this life is temporary: careers, relationships, possessions. Yet our faith points us to something far greater, far more lasting – that which is eternity. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:24-25: “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
Heaven is unseen. Eternity is unseen. But they are not uncertain. Faith allows us to live in confidence of what God has promised, even when our eyes cannot yet behold it.
Faith as the Catalyst
Faith is the doorway to salvation. Ephesians 2:8 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” It is by faith that we first believe in Jesus Christ, trust in His death and resurrection, and receive the eternal life He has secured for us.
Without faith, we cannot believe in Jesus. Without faith, we cannot hope in heaven. Without faith, eternity would remain just an idea instead of the promise of our future. Faith is the catalyst – the spark that begins our relationship with Christ and carries us into everlasting life with Him.
Living Out Faith
Faith isn’t passive; it’s active. James 2:17 reminds us that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Our faith should move us, change us, and inspire us to live differently. True faith leads to action, not because we’re trying to earn salvation, but because salvation has already transformed our hearts.
Living out faith looks like trusting God in uncertainty, choosing hope over fear, and keeping our eyes fixed not on the temporary, but on the eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Personally, faith is the why, when asked, “Jenny, how did you get into prison work? How are you, with such a bright personality going into such a dark environment?” And I answer, “Because God called me to it and HE will always walk with me through it.” Lightness, in a dark world, it is what we as Christians are ALL called to be – the salt and the light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). Our resilience in difficult times can transform the lives of others just by our witness – such a powerful truth!
Final Encouragement
If you’ve been struggling with doubt, wondering what faith really means, or wrestling with the unseen promises of God, let me encourage you today: faith is enough. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be placed in the perfect One – Jesus Christ.
And when you anchor your faith in Him, you’ll discover that what is unseen is actually more real, more lasting, and more beautiful than anything this world could ever offer. That is the hope of heaven. That is the promise of eternity. Amen and Amen!
Enjoy the additional encouragement in song. Click the link to hear the song pertaining to this week’s message of hope: Oceans by Hillsong