HOPE AND FAITH

“Now FAITH is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen” – Hebrew 11:1

There is a powerfully amazing connection between HOPE and FAITH that’s worthy of closer, deeper scrutiny: “FAITH is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony” (Heb.11:1). This is the closest thing we have to a definition of Faith in all the New Testament. We can however focus so much on Faith that we lose sight of Faith’s forerunner – HOPE! The New International Version says: “Now Faith is confidence in what we HOPE for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb.11:1). In other words, Faith is the substance, assurance, confidence, and conviction of Hope. Faith substantiates or gives substance to Hope. There can be no Faith without Hope!

A common denominator of Hope and Faith is that they both involve full assurance. Hebrews 6:11-12 says: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the FULL ASSURANCE of HOPE until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” The same term “full assurance” is found in Hebrews 10:22a, “let us draw near with a true heart in FULL ASSURANCE of FAITH, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience…” Then, the next verse quickly reconnects with Hope: “Let us hold fast the confession of our HOPE without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb.10:23). Hope does not waver, because it is rooted in the faithfulness of God.

We may then conclude that there cannot be a “full assurance of faith” without a “full assurance of hope.” Faith is like a broader spiritual phenomenon of which Hope is a necessary and essential aspect. Hope is that part of Faith that focuses on the future. Faith is a NOW concept – a present tense reality: “NOW FAITH IS…” (v.1). However, in biblical terms, when faith is directed to the future, we can call it Hope. Of course, faith can focus on the past and the present too, so it is the larger term. Wherever there is full assurance of Hope, there is Faith. Biblical faith is a confident expectation and conviction of our desire for good things in the future, based on God’s word.

Faith relates to Hope, but it is broader. It is the “evidence” or “conviction of things not seen,” some of which are not futuristic. Faith can look back to creation: “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (v.3). Faith also looks forward, to include Hope: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (v.8). Verse 13 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Faith is confidence in God’s Word, and whenever that word refers to the future, that confidence is called Hope.

In a sense, Hope is Faith in the future tense! The definition of Faith is incomplete without Hope. Understanding this relationship is vital for two reasons. First, it helps us grasp the true nature of biblical Hope. We know that biblical Faith is a strong confidence. Doubt is the enemy of Faith. But if Hope is Faith in the future tense, then Hope, too, is a strong confidence, and not just wishful thinking. Second, it shows how indispensable Hope is. We know that Faith is essential for salvation: we are saved by Grace through Faith (Eph.2:8). But we rarely speak of Hope in such terms. We are not only saved by grace through Faith; we are saved by grace through Hope: “For we are SAVED BY HOPE: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?” (Rom.8:24). We obtain excellent testimonies by Hope and Faith!