Faith Exists Things Not Seen

Now faith exists; assurance, hope, conviction, things not seen.- Hebrews 11:1

I have always quoted this verse as “now, faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things unseen,” but upon close examination, we see much more meaning, it is telling us that faith exists, is present, as assurance, hope, conviction, of things not seen. The word for "is" has a better translation as exist meaning "to be, exists, present." Faith exists, and it has things, or matter, deeds, work, that is not seen.

Assurance means “confidence, trust, being sure; being, essence” it is a standing under, a taking of a thing upon one’s self; an assumed position. Faith exists as assurance, so please be sure of your salvation, if you are not read Full Assurance. Conviction here is defined as a trial in order to prove; a certain persuasion. This fits with the root word of faith and the idea of faith being a firm persuasion, and it is the concept of approving and receiving. Assurance and conviction exist as things of faith, things not seen.

Now faith exists ... pragma things not seen.

Pragma is the Greek word often translated as “thing" it also means "matter, practice; a thing done, fact, deed, work, transaction.” Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent."4 Faith has works, not seen. From pragma we get the term pragmatic, maybe you know a pragmatic person? Here we see the conflict between a pragmatic person, who lives to the practical things that are known and seen, and the idealist, who wants to transcend this into a realm of reasoning. The pragma, or things seen, is often the dogma of doctrines and traditions of men. Those who live to a works justification are pragmatic people living to principles and rules, the “letter of the law” or by principles of good works, for example I tithe, give, serve, do many mighty works in His name. Those who live, exist by faith, they live to things unseen.

looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.-Hebrews 12:2

Where do we get faith? looking to Jesus, "everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life." He is the author of faith. By faith we are justified, made righteous by His blood. A works justification builds upon works, the things seen, instead of the works of Christ. The believer exists by faith, in the pragma of things unseen, which is often not practical to the carnal mind, but exists to the mind being renewed in the Spirit. Those who live by faith have understanding into things unseen, like adoption, redemption, and of a righteousness that is by faith according to grace, not of works.10 Faith exists as things unseen.

Now faith exists a... hope... things not seen

This word for hope means to hope for, put hope in, expect, confidence in, trust, confide. This hope rests not in the testimony of men, no, but in the testimony of God. “To be as an anchor for Life, both sure and steadfast...”10 This hope rests on the oath of a promise, through the Seed, the Word, the Christ. This word Abraham believed and hoped for, “saying surely you are blessed, both abundantly.”11 And "We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?"12 Hope exists and is a thing unseen.

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you."- John 6:37

This word for work means "to work, be active, accomplish (something)" We work or sow and reap for earthly food but this food is not seen and the work has been accomplished by Jesus. So how do we get this food? When Jesus said this, Do not work for the food that perishes... the people immediately said, "What must we do in order that we labor for the work of God?"7 Jesus then said, "This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent."4 One can't "work" to get this food, it is a gift. By this we have more insight into a righteousness by faith that it be according to grace, so we do not boast in a works justification. Jesus said if you labor for this food of Life the Son of Man will give it to you. This "laboring" is receiving, approving, it is of persuasion, trusting, believing in the things that exist but are not seen.

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