Faith Is...

I can hear the Holy Ghost even now saying, “Go directly to the heart of the matter and explain the true meaning of faith.” I must obey. Afterwards, we will work our way back to pick up all the supporting details in the script. All I ask of you is that you maintain an open heart and mind. This does not mean that you cannot challenge this lesson, but do so inside of the Holy Canon. Let the scriptures be our final authority. I must caution you also not to jump the gun. If I say something that you just do not agree with, that is fair. Nevertheless, please continue the study and hear the conclusion of the matter. GOD’S DEFINITION OF FAITH When the Lord visited me in this revelation, He took me to the most quoted, but often most misunderstood verse of scripture relating to faith. Keep in mind that the mystery of God is hidden inside of simplicity.

Hebrews 11:1

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, And the evidence of things not seen.

1. Faith is the substance: Strong’s Concordance defines “substance” as to be in existence, possession, the real nature of that to which reference is made in contrast to the outward manifestation. It speaks of the divine essence of God, existent and expressed in the revelation of His Son. Webster’s dictionary defines the word “substance” as: The essence of a thing, that which makes it real, or the essential part of something.

For example: Adam was formed from the dust of the earth, however, that body could not function until the essential part (the breath of life or wind) was put into it. One can lose an arm or even lose both arms and continue to live; however, when you take the breath or the essential part away, there is no life. Note also that we are now the Sons of God. We were created in the image of Jesus Christ. Therefore, substance for us is also the divine essence of God, existent and expressed in the revelation of our adoption into the royal family. Remember, the mysteries of the Word are found in its simplicity. Follow the simplicity of the script here.

Hebrews 11:1

11 Faith is the substance of things hoped for.... or it is the essential part or true nature of the things hoped for. That essential part is the divine essence or nature of God, existent and expressed. Therefore, Faith is the essential part or true nature of the things we hope for but have not seen.

B. Things that are hoped for but not seen: Exactly what are the things we were hoping for? This is very important, because this is where the trail splits. The “Faith and Prosperity” message placed the Church in hope of acquiring the wealth of this world. Therefore, the church began to lay claim to the blessings God promised the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy, Chapters 28 and 29.

Deuteronomy 28:2

2 And all these blessings shall come upon thee and over take thee, if thou shall hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

These famous faith chapters were the blessings that the law provided for Israel and were all natural or earthy in content. Everything that was promised under the law could be found in this world. Israel would be a naturally blessed nation of people if they continued to abide in the laws of God.

• He would indeed make them the head and not the tail in this world.
• He would bless them in the fields and in the storehouses.
• He would bless them going in and coming out.
• The ground that they tread upon would indeed be an everlasting possession.

However, the nation of Israel did not adhere to the laws of the first covenant. Therefore, we see the installation of a new and better covenant.

Hebrews 8:7-9,13

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second, 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord . . .

13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.

Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. It is not expedient for the clergy to assign the attributes of the Old Covenant to the New Testament Church. This has spelled tragedy for the Body of Christ. The Father is very clear in His intent and purposes here. He sent His Son to be the testator of a new covenant.

Hebrews 8:6

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

My dear brethren you cannot get around this truth. If you insist on teaching the materialistic blessings of the Old Covenant to the New Testament Church, then you must simply ignore the truth that is laid out here in these and other passages. The things we are to hope for are the things the Lord has promised us as a Church. Even so, in order for Israel to be a partaker of the promises of the second covenant, they too, must accept the work of the mediator of the second covenant. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Here we find the key that unlocks the mystery. The Father promised the Church spiritual blessings. This follows logic, considering we are a spiritual race. We are the Sons of God, members of the divine family and the royal priesthood. We are not as natural Israel, neither were we given the same promises. The Lord has established Himself a Church, a body of baptized believers in Christ, which includes both the Jew, and the Gentile. The following scriptures highlight the things that the Body of Christ has been promised but have not seen yet hope for.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1 John 5:11

11 And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Here, we see one of the promises made to the Church was that of eternal life. Those who became partakers of the new birth would live forever. This far exceeds any natural reward. This is a spiritual blessing for a spiritual people. Nevertheless, we have not seen the saints of God live forever.

Instead saints continue to die every day and are buried in our graveyards. No, we have not yet seen the manifestation of this promise but we indeed hope for it. It is our blessed hope that should we die in this world we shall live again in the next.

I Corinthians 15:53

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Note verse 53: For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. This is yet another promise from the Father. We are promised a glorious new body. Paul reiterates this point even further to the churches throughout Asia.

II Corinthians 5:1-7

1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Note also Paul admits that the church had not as yet seen such a thing manifested. However, he declares, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” Although we have not seen it, yet we do hope for it.

Romans 8:18-21

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

The creature (the new man, the regenerated spiritual being) is waiting for the time of the revealing of the Sons of God. He is moaning, groaning, and travailing to be delivered from this body of vanity. He is the Son of God awaiting his new body. Though he was made subject or caused to remain in the body, he was also subjected to hope. Yes, the hope of being delivered into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it (Romans 8: 24-25). We have not seen our new bodies, but we do with patience wait for them. For we know that each of us has a new tabernacle, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, waiting for us. Therefore, the things hoped for and things unseen are:

1. ETERNAL LIFE
2. THE NEW BODY

C. Faith is the evidence… The word “evidence” is defined as: proof, or a witness. Why is our hope so strong? Well, the answer is simple. The one who has wrought this thing in us is God, who has also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit (I Cor. 5:5). God has given unto us the Holy Ghost. He has given us the earnest, essential part or substance of the new body. Beloved, this is so powerful! He has given us the witness on the inside. His very Spirit now testifies of the power of our God. Therefore, as Paul said, we are confident. We not only believe, we have the evidence of His faithfulness. Furthermore, we do not walk as others, but we walk by the hope given to us by the Spirit of God.

Romans 8:15-16

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

We have received the Spirit of adoption and are now the children of God. What is the evidence of such a great blessing? The 16th verse makes it quite clear. “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Now because we are the children of God, we are then His heirs, and this also makes us joint heirs with Christ Jesus. Beloved, this is the only evidence you have in proclaiming yourself to be a Son of God. Likewise, it is the only evidence that you have inherited eternal life. The Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the Living God, is your only proof of such truths. He, the Holy Spirit, is the witness! He is the Comforter, the one sent to bear witness of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Ask yourself, “What other proof or evidence do you have of eternal life? How do you know that you are saved? What other witness do you have other than the Holy Ghost?” He is the evidence of the things you hope for but have not seen.

Romans 8:20, 24-25

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope…

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

It is essential that you agree with the Lord right here. Faith is for things that are hoped for and the things we hope for are the things that we have not seen. For we walk by faith, not by sight. My brethren, please be careful not to spiritualize this issue. Faith is for the asking and receiving of things that are unseen. It is spiritual in both its nature and its workings. I beg you not to continue in a vein that reduces the work of the cross to the acquisition of things. In many circles it does not take a lot of faith to get a car, or a house, or large bank account.

As my physician said to me, “Mary if faith is about cars, houses, land and money, I already have those things. My profession gave me the finer things in this life. What is the message the Church offers me and others like me?” The Father subjected the new creature to hope. Hope is not waiting in uncertainty, which is the connotation some place on it. But hope means to wait with joy and patience for the promise of the Father, knowing that it is a sure Word. The new creature is to live in this body that is one day going back to the dust, but in the meanwhile he is to wait with a joyful expectation of his new body and eternal life with the Father and the Son. Let us continue to stay with the simplicity of the script.

Faith is . . .

I. The Substance (the essential part) of things hoped for

1. New Body
2. Eternal Life

II. The Evidence (proof or witness) of things not seen:

1. New Body
2. Eternal Life

FAITH IS the substance or essential part of eternal life. It is also the evidence or proof we have a new body not made with hands, waiting for us in heaven. God has dealt to every man (Son) the measure of faith. The essential part of eternal life and the new body is the Holy Ghost and the only evidence or witness of the existence of eternal life and the new body is the Holy Ghost. Furthermore, the only thing God has dealt to every one of us is His Spirit. Beloved, for the Sons of God; FAITH IS THE HOLY GHOST.

I want so very much for you to understand this lesson because the very essence of your spiritual growth depends on it. When the Lord ministered this to me my whole perspective of the Word of God changed. Immediately the stress was taken out of ministry. I didn’t have to psych myself up to believe anything. All I had to do was believe in the Christ within me. It was His faith that was doing the work and living the life in this body. I simply had to agree with Him and not seek my own routes or ways. If you are to comprehend the things of God, you will need to understand that Faith is a dispensation. It is the method by which God is dealing with His people in this age. Paul told the church at Galatia, “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed,”(Gal 3:23).

This means that Faith goes beyond our ability to believe God. You may say, “How so, Mary?” Well, the old patriots believed the spoken Word of God, but they did not live in the dispensation of faith. “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe,(Gal 3:22).

Faith for this dispensation is that which is given to us by the Father. He knew that our human faith just might not be sufficient for the trials ahead. Thus, before Christ suffered His passion, knowing the effect it would have on Peter and the other disciples, He spoke to him. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren (St. Luke 22:32).

I am sure you can identify with this trend of thought. When we do not walk after the Spirit, there are days in which circumstances, situations and relationships cause us to doubt or waver in our belief and trust. But if in fact, walking in and after the Spirit places our walk back inside the life of Christ, then it also follows that the life we live now, we live by the faith of Jesus Christ. The scriptures below reveal and project the fact that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. It began with Him and it will end with Him.

Galatians 3:23

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

We are discussing a faith that came and was revealed after the Law.

Galatians 2:16

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Listen to Paul carefully here. We have believed in Jesus Christ so that we can be justified by His faith. We have received the promise the patriots waited for and died believing in. It was the promise of the faith of Jesus Christ that justifies and perfects. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, (their belief in the coming Christ), received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they (the Old Covenant saints), without us should not be made perfect (Heb 11:39-40)

Perfection came with the faith of Christ. Faith is the walk in the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Christ that makes us perfect before God.

Galatians 3:22

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

We have already discovered that the promise is the Spirit. Here, Paul makes the promise (the Spirit) equal to, or synonymous with faith. This faith is given to those who believe. Once again, we are encouraged to believe on Jesus Christ. The life we live in the flesh is His life.

Romans 3:22

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

The righteousness of God can only be obtained by walking in the faith of Jesus Christ. This righteousness and faith is again given to those who believe.

Revelation 14:12

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus

At the end of the mystery, the reward of glory will be bestowed upon those who keep, or hold fast to, the faith of Jesus Christ. Yes, there are some passages of script where Webster’s definition of faith as mere trust and belief do apply, but the deeper meaning of the term is found in God’s purpose for the Church. If you dare give yourself a little more time and consider that the Lord may be able to open the eyes of your understanding through these lessons, then bear with me. You have nothing to lose, except the frustration of not knowing some of the deeper things of God. Faith is spiritual and it is for a spiritual people to do a spiritual work. It is the mechanism by which we are to work ministry.

1 Corinthians 12:4,7

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

In the next lessons I will go into much more detail concerning this matter of Faith. You will begin to understand that Faith (the Holy Ghost) is not dependent upon whether or not you believe for the favorable outcome of a situation. It is more dependent upon whether you believe in and agree with the Christ within you as He lives and moves throughout that situation. You will also understand that faith is purely an operation of God. I love the Body of Christ, and I am so concerned that it receives the truth in this due season.