The Title Deed of Faith

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  Heb. 11:1

In this verse the highly skilled and gifted theologian-writer of the letter to the Hebrews gives the definition of Faith.  He first of all gives the subject noun of this verse which is of course 'faith' or more properly 'pistis.'  Faith  or pistis is a noun of action in the Greek New Testament, and here it is coupled with the state of being verb 'is.' Thereafter he states that faith is that inner persuasion firmly grounded on the revealed character of Theos and his evidential works in history.  Therefore in order to remove faith from a merely subjective milieu he uses a highly technical and specific term which is the word hupostasis.  

Robertson notes:"...Aristotle used this term as did subsequent philosohers.  The word hupostasis means 'what stands under anything.'  It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions.  Therefore...we suggest the translation 'Faith' is the title deed of things hoped for...The proving of things not seen."

The one who walks by faith orders his/her life in a manner that is consistent with hupostasis.  He or she possesses the certitude that the title deed of faith his is in the present tense.  Faith is the antithesis of mere sensory empiricism that solely relies upon what is either seen or felt.  

We have come to know that the world of sensory perception is the cosmic dance of energy patterns and that our senses only perceive one-one millioneth of the electromagnetic spectrum.  Faith transcends the seen world because it realizes that our explanations of the world are ever subject to revision due to the highly temporal nature of our knowledge.  Scientists routinely acknowledge that as soon research is published in some area it is already outdated, but not completely irrelevant.  

Fath is not subject to temporal revision, it is however, subject to growth and increasing maturity.  Therefore faith is the dynamic encounter with Theos that releases us from the bondage of myopic self-centeredness. This is the prescriptive element of faith: That the hungry soul may seek solice for its deepest cravings through a relationship with Theos by faith.  

Faith in Iesous is the ultimate state of consciousness.  It is a state of awareness that is not artificially or chemically enduced.  All of the drugs and other experiments in behavior modification that promise a sort of temporal escape from pain and disappointment are self-destructive and have inherent diminishing results.  

My friend, what we all need can come only through a faith commitment to the Iesous.  He is ready to receive you today.     

For more information about Dr. Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.