What is faith?

The term "substance" is a good translation of the Greek term used in Hebrews 11:1 which means literally that which has real existence, the basic essence, the actual reality, the substance of something. Thus your faith is something real which has actuality.

It is the "substance" of that which you hope for. This means that if by faith you claim a promise which God makes to you in His Word, and if you believe that you have received the answer when you pray (Mark 11:24), then your faith stands in the place of what you ask for until it is manifested visibly.

Your faith takes the place of what you ask for as an invisible, but nevertheless real, substance until the thing you claim is made visible to your sight; then, faith is no longer needed. Faith is the substance (the basic essence, reality) of things hoped for.

It is as real in the sight of God as the thing which you ask for will be to you when you see it manifested. Your faith is the exact image of that which you ask for, and as an image is but the reflection of the actuality, then where faith is present it can only mean that the things which you have asked for are yours and only await their manifestation by God!

Faith is also "evidence." Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Evidence of anything is absolute proof of its reality and existence. This means that the very fact that you have faith that God has heard and granted your request is evidence that you have received what you do not yet see. You have received it "by faith." You see the invisible reality with the spiritual eye of faith. When you know in your heart that your request has been answered before you see it, your faith is the evidence that you have it.

On the other hand, if there is merely hope or desire present then there is no evidence. Mere hope is often mingled with doubts, fears, and anxieties as to whether or not you will really receive what you have asked for. When genuine faith is in the heart you know that God has granted your petition when you ask, and this faith, as heart knowledge, is your evidence that you have what you do not see. Jesus said "what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye have received them (Greek), and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24).

Faith is not hope. Faith is the means by which we receive those things we hope for. Neither is faith sight. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. faith can only operate in the realm of the invisible concerning those things we hope for and do not yet see. Faith cannot exist in the visible realm. When the things we hope for are manifested to our sight, then faith, the invisible "substance," having done its work, is supplanted by the visible substance, that is, the things we hope for. When the actuality comes into view, then the image (faith) vanishes.

The principles of faith set forth in this book apply to any promise which God has made to the believer in His Word. however, because the need for bodily healing and deliverance from disease and affliction is so constant and universal, particular attention has been given to this question. Especially for those who are not solidly grounded in the teachings of Scripture concerning the provision for the healing of our diseases and illnesses in Christ's Atonement, we suggest first of all a sincere study of those passages where this truth is taught in order to quicken faith and remove doubt.

If God has provided and promised healing for the body in the atonement of Christ, then we should be able to find this truth set forth in His Word. If it can be found there , then we can have the assurance that it is God's will to heal all who will exercise faith, for "faith cometh by hearing and believing the Word." If a sincere consideration of these passages does not lead to a belief that God has promised you healing for your sicknesses as well as for your sins, then it would be futile to attempt to support the truth by argument. Therefore, these passages are set forth without comment. Those who humbly seek the truth of the validity of this doctrine will see it; those who have prejudged the question in the negative on the basis of their theological background, or rational argument, will be unable to receive it.