Faith and Its Reality: Understanding Hebrews 11:1

The Essence of Faith

The New Living Translation of Hebrews 11:1 offers a profound understanding of faith, stating, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” This translation portrays faith not as a force that creates realities, contrary to popular preaching, but rather as a lens that unveils God’s unseen promises. This verse is essential for understanding the Christian walk, providing a clear distinction between true Biblical faith and popular misconceptions.

Faith Reveals Reality, Not Creates It

In Hebrews 11:1, the phrase “shows the reality” communicates a crucial aspect of faith. Faith, according to this verse, does not create reality but reveals it. This is contrary to the claims of many prosperity gospel proponents who suggest that faith can be used to speak things into existence or believe something into reality. Such interpretations misrepresent the Biblical notion of faith, leading many astray.

Faith functions more like a pair of binoculars, allowing us to see the distant realities that are invisible to the naked eye. As the verse continues, “it is the evidence of things we cannot see,” it implies that faith provides assurance and conviction in the truths and promises of God that are not immediately apparent. Just as binoculars reveal a far-off object that our naked eyes cannot see, faith reveals the spiritual truths and promises of God that are beyond our natural perception.

The Scriptural Assurance of Faith

Faith, according to Hebrews 11:1, enables us to grasp the realities promised in Scripture. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are assured of several spiritual blessings:

1. Forgiveness of Sins: We are assured of God’s forgiveness and the removal of our guilt through faith (1 John 1:9).
2. A New Nature: Believers are promised a new nature, transformed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17).
3. Eternal Life: Through faith, we have the promise of eternal life in heaven (John 3:16).
4. Peace with God: Faith assures us of a reconciled relationship with God, granting us peace (Romans 5:1).
5. Adoption as God’s Children: We are given the status of children of God through faith (Galatians 3:26).
6. Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding: Faith opens us to receive God’s wisdom and understanding (James 1:5).
7. Victory over Sin: Faith assures us of victory over sin and the ability to live a holy life (1 John 5:4).

Conversely, faith does not guarantee us earthly benefits this side of eternity, such as:

1. Physical Healing: While God can heal, Scripture does not guarantee healing in every situation (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
2. Material Wealth: Faith does not ensure financial prosperity (James 2:5).
3. Earthly Comfort: Christians are called to bear their cross, which includes suffering (Matthew 16:24).
4. Protection from Trials: Believers are not promised a life free from trials (James 1:2-4).
5. Immunity from Persecution: Faith in Christ often invites persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
6. Perfect Relationships: Faith does not guarantee conflict-free relationships (Romans 12:18).
7. Success in All Endeavours: Scripture does not assure worldly success in all our pursuits (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

The prosperity gospel promises miraculous breakthroughs in areas not assured by Scripture, causing disillusionment and a crisis of faith when these promises fail to materialize. As Paul warned, “some have rejected these [clinging to faith in Christ and keeping a clear conscience] and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith” (1 Timothy 1:19), highlighting the danger of adhering to false perceptions of faith.

The True and False Perceptions of Faith

Many people are drawn to false perceptions of faith because they offer the illusion of a life devoid of suffering. The true Biblical perception of faith, however, acknowledges that suffering is a part of the Christian journey. This understanding does not negate God’s Presence or His love for us; rather, it reinforces the reality that God is with us through our trials and uses them for our growth and His glory.

The false notion that suffering indicates the absence of God leads to a shallow understanding of faith. True faith embraces suffering as a means through which God shapes and strengthens us, assuring us of His presence even in the darkest times (Romans 8:28). The belief that suffering equates to a lack of faith or divine favour is a misrepresentation of the Christian faith and leads to deep spiritual disillusionment.

Eternal Promises and Earthly Realities

The Bible clearly teaches that the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promises will be realized in eternity. Revelation 21:4 declares, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.” Our true hope lies in the life to come, not in the transient pleasures or comforts of this world.

Prosperity gospel proponents cite the promises in Deuteronomy 28:1–14 to argue for health and wealth in this life. These promises were addressed to the nation of Israel under the old covenant and should not be taken out of context to apply universally to individual Christians today. Misapplying these scriptures leads to unrealistic expectations and spiritual disappointment.

Critique of the Prosperity Gospel

The Prosperity Gospel fundamentally shifts the focus from the spiritual blessings God has promised to the material wealth and physical health this world holds dear. This perspective diminishes the true nature of God, treating Him more like a genie that exists to fulfil our every earthly desire. This misrepresentation not only distorts our understanding of God but also sets believers up for profound disappointment when these expectations are not met.

Preaching that faith guarantees health and wealth is not only theologically unsound but also deeply damaging. It creates a false hierarchy where those experiencing material prosperity are seen as more blessed, while those in poverty or suffering from illness are viewed as lacking faith. This is particularly harmful in a third-world context where the majority of Christians live in poverty and face significant challenges. It overlooks the profound spiritual richness and faithfulness of those who, despite their material circumstances, deeply love and trust God.

The lives of Jesus and His apostles serve as powerful counterexamples to the prosperity gospel. Jesus, though divine, lived a humble life marked by suffering and, ultimately, crucifixion. The Apostle Paul, a key figure in the New Testament, experienced significant hardship and spoke openly of his own physical afflictions, referring to his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). These examples show that material wealth and physical health are not indicators of God’s favour or a sign of superior faith.

A Balanced Understanding of God’s Will

It is essential to recognize that while God can and does perform miracles, including healing and providing for our needs, these acts are not guaranteed promises for every believer in every situation. Instead, God calls us to trust Him through all circumstances, glorifying Him in both prosperity and hardship. Our faith should be grounded in the assurance of His spiritual promises and the eternal hope we have in Him, rather than in the transient and uncertain promises of earthly gain.

Conclusion

Hebrews 11:1 presents faith as a powerful revelation of the unseen realities promised by God. It challenges us to trust in God’s promises for forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life while cautioning against the false assurances of material prosperity and earthly comfort. True faith embraces suffering, recognizes it as part of our journey with God, and finds hope in the eternal promises that await us.