About What Are We Certain? What Is The Unseen Our Faith Proves?

Faith is the certainty of the things for which we hope,

And it is the proof of the things we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

     We are living in some very uncertain times. At least they are uncertain for people without faith.  For those who do not have faith in God, and in His Christ and in His Holy Spirit, there are some very real questions about what happens when the heart stops beating, the breath ceases to provide cellular respiration and the circuitry of this magnificent computer that we call a brain goes dark. There is some real uncertainty about daily living that leaves these faithless ones with a walk that is frightening.  And even the most left of center person (that mocks people for clinging to the their God, Guns and Religion) finds a way to pull their god off a shelf to help them when they are overwhelmed. They even call on their friends whom they mock.  Yup! Faithlessness leaves people standing on shaky quicksand like ground.

     But what about people of faith?  Of what does faith make us certain?  What is the unseen that our faith proves for us.  Well we cannot cover it all, but here are some: 

     If you check out a conversation Jesus had with his disciples in John 14, you will see that when it comes to the question of where we go, when "we are absent from the body and present with the Lord" (See 2 Cor. 5:8), you will find that Jesus prepared a place for us not made by any human hands, other than His of course... a place whose builder and maker is God.  And He prepared a place for those who prepare themselves to go there by giving their hearts, lives and whole selves over to the Lord by faith.  So it's a prepared place for prepared people. He makes it clear to us that He would never have told us about this if it were not so.  What makes this so great is this place was prepared to give us the grace to "let not" our "hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid."  Why are we not troubled or afraid.  This is so because our faith makes us certain of this.  Our faith gives us proof that this is so. So Jesus peace He really does leave with us, and it's not like the peace people without faith have.  It's the peace that helps prevent our hearts from actually being troubled or afraid.  (John 14:27)

     We are also certain or have proof of the spiritual truth that every single sin is wiped clean from our record.  Redemption is what this is called.  Jesus did this "once and for all."  And He did this to provided us with ultimate forgiveness or eternal redemption/forgiveness.  Our life's data is completely clean of any flaws as God looks into our lives, especially during the time of judgment.  (See Hebrews 9:12)

     Additionally we are certain and have proof that God sanctifies us Holy. (Hebrews 10:10.)  He sets us apart for holy use.  He declares us "Holy, without blemish and free from ALL accusation." because we cling to the "hope held out in the gospel."  (Colossians 1:21-23)

       Another thing that really gets to our hearts and minds is that by Jesus ONE sacrifice "He perfected forever those whom God is making holy."  (Hebrews 10:14.) Now folks you nor I may feel holy or by any means perfect; but remember we are talking about believing God.  We are not talking about feeling God.  We are talking about faith.  We don't walk by sight (that includes feelings.) We walk by clinging to God's promise.  Again, by choosing to believe God we are certain that He perfects us in His sight.  His promise is all the proof we need.

     Transformation is another very important part of that which we are certain and have proof.  Right after verse 14 the Holy Spirit "testifies" beginning in verse 15.  He testifies to God's promise that God writes God's laws on our hearts and God places them in our minds.  God causes a metamorphosis of our being to occur.  That is why those who preach that our behavior cannot change, but that God loves us and forgives us to live anyway we wish are dead wrong.  The Holy Spirit gives us "power" to live new lives (Acts 1:8), and when we stumble and fall as we seek God to empower us, the Holy Spirit tells us, your sins and lawless acts God will never ever remember again. (Hebrews 10:17.)

     These beautiful covenantal promises lead us to a place of confidence: Our confidence is that we, who are by faith God's people, have access into the room or Holy Place, where the "Wonderful Counselor" allows us to experience God's presence. (Hebrews 10:19-22.)  God's people who practice the spiritual practice of prayer where they "cast all their cares on Him" because they know "He cares for them" find more than enough stuff to be enough as we converse with God about whatever we wish.

      Finally, we can experience a cleansing of our guilty consciences that may arise from living in a world that is really challenging to those who are in the world but not of the world; nevertheless, we can be certain of it, and we have proof of it that, when we sit silently with the Lord seeking His purifying grace, He brings about the refreshing grace that liberates us from our sins and life's struggles. He washes us "whiter than snow."

     Are you certain of the things you hope for?  Do you have proof of the things you do not see?  Simply read over these promises expressed in this blog repeatedly out loud.  And then faith will come by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17.) Read, and re-read until God's promises come alive to you ... until you have faith.  Then you will be certain of the things you hope for and have proof of the unseen things of God.

And if you find yourself still struggling simply pray, "Lord help me overcome my unbelief." (Mark 9:24.)  And Jesus will do for you what He did for those struggling souls in Mark 9:  He will grow your faith as you read His life changing promises out loud.  Faith will indeed come by hearing the very word of God.  Then, of these things I have shared, you will certainly become certain and have proof of it.  Then you will ...

Be Blessed 2day ... Especially Today.

SoJourner