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Lesson about Faith, Hope, and Promises

MatthewA

MatthewA

Active Member
Hello you and welcome. ~ Hope this information is of use to you some how!

Thank you all for who has been reading these, hope God and Jesus Christ are teaching you many great things and important lessons.

Hopefully this helps you understand something about Faith, and Hope.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen.

Lets look at the Greek word for faith: 4102 pístis (from 3982/peithô, "persuade, be persuaded") – properly, persuasion (be persuaded, come to trust); faith. Usage: faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

Faith (4102/pistis) is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, 4102/pistis ("faith") for the believer is "God's divine persuasion" – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4).​

Okay so now we have the definition of Faith here in front of us. Looking at is present we can see that according to the way people understood faith in the past is that of a persuasion from the truth of God which is something hoped for, by having trust and confidence in what God promises to you as a believer.

What are some of the promises of God you may ask? According to the scriptures there are many of them. Going to give a few examples and if you feel inclined to look them up please feel free to do so.​


The Promises that God provides freely are :

Relationship with God, and the Lord Jesus Christ; (Matthew 6:9-13)

Resurrection from the dead (John 5:29; John 11:25), , Peace with God being justified by Faith, (Romans 5:1-5)

You have the right to an inheritance in partaking and sharing in God's Kingdom (Colossians 1:13-27) now by faith which would make you a Child of God (John 1:12), or Son or Daughter of God (Romans 8:1-15) if you walk by the spirit that is given,

You are promised that God will never leave you, or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 14:27)

You are promised that you can have a prayerful relationship with God who loves and cares about everything going on in your life, and desires for you to cast your worries and burdens on Him, (Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Peter 5:7)

You are promised freedom of the bondage of sin (Romans 6:1-18), and
the ability to overcome ( 1 Corinthians 10:13) temptations when they are presented to you God will show you a way out,

You are promised to receive the holy spirit (John 14:26)

You are given a renewed mind and a renewed heart by God, (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26)
deliverance from darkness into light, (Colossians 1:13)

You are also forgiven of your sins: Past; present: future and have freedom of Christ in you but you are not to use that to Sin willfully but instead live by the spirit -> For when someone loves God they will turn their will towards Him rather than their own self-will to serve themselves (God can work on your heart through this) (Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 10:1-18)

You are promised if you live by the spirit to have kindness, joy, peace, love, gentleness, faithfulness. (Galatians 5:1-26)​

There are all of the promises of God that can be named from just off the top of the holy spirit/spirit of Christ with-in me. You can freely look any of these up and hopefully you will find each of them.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen.

Lets look at hope for just a moment: 1679. elpizó : Cognate: 1679 elpízō (from 1680 /elpís, "hope") – to hope, actively waiting for God's fulfillment about the faith He has inbirted through the power of His love (cf. Gal 5:6 with Heb 11:1). See 1680 (elpis).​

Okay so you got done looking at the promises of God now, and what Faith is which is something we trust in God through his persuasion of what the Lord Jesus Christ brings to the table.

Do you have hope in what is promised to you? Do you believe that those Promises are Real?

If you do, then All of those promises which are true, are what we place our hope in, that God will fulfill what he has promised to do, take care of, and handle.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen.

Cognate: 1650 élegxos (a masculine noun) – inner conviction focuses on God confirming His inbirthing of faith ("the internal persuasion from Him," see 4102 /pístis). See 1651 (elegxō).
​
As you can see here, - an inner conviction of focusing on God - confirming his promises that you have heard through the Lord Jesus Christ, and also through the writing of other letters and books of the bible that confirm promises, that confirm the evidences of God and his promises which were made so long ago, and how they build up your trust and faith in God.


Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen.

991 blépō – properly, to see, be observant (watchful). 991 (blépō) suggests "to see something physical, with spiritual results (perception)." That is, it carries what is seen into the non-physical (immaterial) realm so a person can take the needed action (respond, beware, be alert).​

Lets take one more at this scripture looking at the things not seen, however through spiritual perception is what carries what is not seen which is seen by those who are born again.

It would suggest if you can't see something physical : All of Gods promises are made and you are indwelled by the holy spirit that you can not see due to your faith, belief and hope in God and his promises, in whom you trust.

You will not be able to see the spiritual side of things, but through faith and hope you have trust in God, and these spiritual things are carried out in a believers life.
 
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U

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
MatthewA said:
It is sharing information. You can believe it or not. Thank you for your comment RabbiO.
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I'm not trying to be rude. It sounds like proselytizing by education. A couple of people do it daily. Maybe in a DIR would be better.

That's just my observation. It reminds me of downtown where people hold signs up and talking to people about christ as they pass by. I know that's probably not your intent, so I hope it isn't addressed as such... I hope. But it does come off as preachy.
 
MatthewA

MatthewA

Active Member
That is unfortunate. But understanding.

You are right I guess it is proclaiming a message from the scriptures of the bible. The intent is to inform, and deduce reasoning of what Faith is; what the Promises of God according to the Christian Bible has to say, and what Hope is.

Though the intent is for education, and for information of what the source of the Bible says; along with the greek words of Faith, and Hope, are for the purpose of informing others to what these things are if they are interested.

Not everyone has to believe in this proclaimed message; and it is capable for me to mess up and be wrong and make mistakes when it comes to teaching. So my encouragement would be to go and check the bible, and also resources that teach about the understanding of greek and hebrew words.

Take care!
 
U

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
MatthewA said:
That is unfortunate. But understanding.

You are right I guess it is proclaiming a message from the scriptures of the bible. The intent is to inform, and deduce reasoning of what Faith is; what the Promises of God according to the Christian Bible has to say, and what Hope is.

Though the intent is for education, and for information of what the source of the Bible says; along with the greek words of Faith, and Hope, are for the purpose of informing others to what these things are if they are interested.

Not everyone has to believe in this proclaimed message; and it is capable for me to mess up and be wrong and make mistakes when it comes to teaching. So my encouragement would be to go and check the bible, and also resources that teach about the understanding of greek and hebrew words.

Take care!
Click to expand...

Its fine. Sometimes I scream in my head and think, they just don't get it!

I think its because the bible does say spread the word and many christians in one way or another feel obligated to do so.

I wish I can explain it, but it's not that christians choose to bother people (well, some passive aggressively), just the idea others need to hear the word to come to christ (whether because god pulls them, they are educated, or they choose themselves) is not something I agree with. I'd propose people come to christ or so have you when they see people's actions or when they read words, they read it from the conversations, topics (doesn't need to be religious), responses, and the like. It's more how you present yourself. Scriptures help when talking to others about what it means and all. When it's posted without discussion, and many people aren't christian, people will ignore it or offer (well, most) constructive criticism.

I think educating about scripture this way backfires. I wish others can get it but since god is the justification of education, it's really hard to really get through.
 
MatthewA

MatthewA

Active Member
Those are your own thoughts and how you think, and feel about the subject of sharing information when it comes to the bible; and it is understandable.

The way I look at it is if we lived in the past for example back in Rome in the persecuted days of Christians; I would have done been thrown into the den of lions or into a Colosseum to watch be killed for the enjoyment of others.

Glad life is much different in the aspect of the dominion of the rulers in the past; even closer to modern day like those who had dominion over people like Hitler, or what was that one man in Baghdad, or any other Political/Religious reigning person.

That is something I do not believe in; having dominion and forcing others to have to believe me. It was a decision to even click and come read anything on this page which was a stated to be a Lesson about Faith, Hope, and promises.

If people take something away that is great, but if people take nothing away that is also fine. Someone will hopefully benefit, and that is my thing. I believe in being honest, and truthful to others; and not having dominion over them; believe that I can share with them anything desired; but they must have the ability to have freedom: To think, to question, to ponder, about whatever it is said to them, and not for me to force anything:

Though will share whatever I believe that bible seems to present; though it is possible for me to be wrong; it is the reason my signature is the way it is.
 
sun rise

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
Since this is a general books/scriptures thread, I find focus on faith and hope to not be my focus. Instead, this is my focus:

Love is a gift from God to man.
Obedience is a gift from Master to man.
Surrender is a gift from man to Master.

One who loves desires the will of the Beloved.
One who obeys does the will of the Beloved.
One who surrenders knows nothing but the will of the Beloved.

Love seeks union with the Beloved.
Obedience seeks the pleasure of the Beloved.
Surrender seeks nothing.

One who loves is the lover of the Beloved.
One who obeys is the beloved of the Beloved.
One who surrenders has no existence other than the Beloved.

Greater than love is obedience.
Greater than obedience is surrender.
All three arise out of, and remain contained in, the Ocean of divine Love.

Avatar Meher Baba "The Everything and the Nothing"
 
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Neuropteron

Neuropteron

Active Member
MatthewA said:
Hi,



Hopefully this helps you understand something about Faith, and Hope.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Lets look at the Greek word for faith: 4102 pístis (from 3982/peithô, "persuade, be persuaded") – properly, persuasion (be persuaded, come to trust); faith. Usage: faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

Faith (4102/pistis) is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, 4102/pistis ("faith") for the believer is "God's divine persuasion" – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4).
***


Hi,
Thank you for helping us to understand the scriptural definition of faith and mentioning the Greek source of this term.
Perhaps more could be added to understand the biblical requirements of faith compared to the understanding that faith is the equivalent of gullibility.

For instance, qualifying the meaning of "substance" in this context is that it is a reality even though not perceived by material means, such as the eye or other physical means, but is nonetheless a reality that because it is not seen and needs to be demonstrated rationally instead of emotionally.

Furthermore the Greek term for "expectation is hy-po'stasis a term that convey the idea of something that underlies visible conditions and is a guarantee of a future possession.
The scholars Milton and Milligan suggest the rendering "Faith is the title deed of things hoped for"(Vocabulary of the Greek Testament).
It can thus be said that before we can have faith, we should expect the evidence needed for it, just like we require a "title deed" before we can state that a house belongs to us.

True faith built on the evidence of things that are discernible, this in turn will lead to an unshakable conviction of things that are invisible or have not yet occurred.
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