For Christians, this is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen (Heb. 11:1). What does this mean? It means that while we are expectant of that unanswered prayer, we can hold on to faith. Our faith is evidence of our hope. And hope, scripture says, does not put us to shame (Rom. 5:5 NIV). To the heathen, it is foolish to live by faith but we know that it is salvation to live by faith, for the just shall live by faith. (Rom. 1:17) 

Faith is very important. It is indispensable in the kingdom. We are made to know that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). That is, the possibility of pleasing God is zero when we are without faith. According to Google, faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. If we do not even have an iota of trust in God, how can we then please Him? It means whatever we do would not be done from a place of sincerity but in hypocrisy. 

Just like Judas Iscariot, we can see what faithlessness can do. While all the other disciples called Jesus “Lord”, acknowledging His deity, Judas called Him Rabbi (Matt. 26:22-25). He only saw Him as a teacher, at most a master, and possibly this is what made his betrayal easy. However, when we have bold confidence in God, just like the Apostles, revering Him as Lord, we will do only that which pleases Him. 

The world may live by “seeing is believing” but we are convinced of better. We know that believing is seeing.

(2 Cor. 5:7; John 20:27-29)

Faith is not blind. We are not told to just believe things blindly. God has not called us into something illogical. He provides us with data, facts evidence, and everything we can need to build up our faith because He knows that naturally, His ways are grossly different from our ways. He doesn’t tell us to put our faith in Him because He said so. He gives us enough reason to have faith in Him. A good example is creation. The things created are evidence of His existence (Rom. 1:19-22). After creating all these things, He tells us to believe in Him. How hard could that be?

Moreover, our faith must be more than believing in facts about Him. Our faith must be in Him. It must go beyond the promises He made. It must be firmly rooted in Him. We are made to know that Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2 NIV). He is the source of our faith and the One who perfects this faith. It is natural to doubt sometimes. The father of the sick boy said Lord I believe, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24). He wanted to have faith but doubt was struggling within him. As long as we live in these earthly bodies, doubt will pop into our heads once in a while. However, we must let our faith, our conviction in the ability of God and in God Himself, be much greater. 

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith”.

Heb. 12:2 NIV 

It is in Jesus that we can grow in faith. And the scripture tells us to look unto Him. You cannot grow in faith when your eyes are focused on things that raise doubt. We can look unto Jesus by studying the scriptures, by prayer, and by consistent fellowship with Him. It is through this that our faith becomes perfected. Furthermore, through our faith, we can build up faith in another person.