SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Hebrews 11:1-2: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained a good report."
Faith is often
misunderstood as a blind trust or abstract belief, but scripturally, it is a
legal and logical process grounded in substantial evidence. This evidence is
relevant, strong, and consistently proven by the experiences of others, forming
a reliable foundation for hope and unseen realities. Substantial evidence
implies confidence in what is presented just as in a legal context, where
evidence must be strong enough to support a conclusion.
Contrary to popular
Christian teachings, building faith is not simply about positive thinking or
reciting Bible verses until they make sense. Faith, according to Scripture, is
developed through thorough study, connecting dots within the right scriptural context.
It is a spiritual law governed by the Torah and historical reports from
witnesses, not a universal law that works for everyone indiscriminately like
positive affirmations.
Romans 10:16-17: "But they have not all obeyed the Besorah. For Yesha`yahu says, 'Yahuah, who has believed our report?' So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Elohiym."
In legal terms,
"hearing" refers to a court hearing, and "report" to a
documented hearing report. Faith, then, is the substance and evidence gathered
from these scriptural hearings. This is not blind belief, but a detailed legal
process where one builds their faith through cross-examination of evidence
found in the Torah and Yahusha's teachings.
Paul's legal
background is evident in his defense of faith before multiple courthouses in
Acts 23–26. He defines faith as substantial evidence gathered from documented
testimonies of witnesses in the Word of Elohiym. The depth of one’s faith
depends on how thoroughly they study Scripture in its correct context. Yahusha
himself measured people's faith as small, little, or great based on the level
of scriptural evidence they provided.
Faith and Misconceptions in Christianity
What many modern Christians call faith is often blind trust or belief without
any substantial scriptural backing. The so-called "Faith Movement"
has sold an idea of faith based on insubstantial evidence, promoting miracles
as proof. However, Scripture warns that false prophets can perform miracles
too. If miracles are your only evidence, you lack the substantial foundation
required for true faith.
Hebrews 11:1, 3:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen… Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word
of Elohiym so that things which are seen were not made of things which do
appear."
Faith, then, is a system of
understanding. Whatever you hope for requires substantial evidence to support
your expectations. Whatever is unseen needs proof. Faith involves a deliberate
effort to study and understand, not to believe abstractly. Without knowledge,
there is no conviction; without understanding, there is no faith.
It is easier to have
faith in what you understand than in what you are ignorant of and cannot prove.
Unfortunately, many preachers have distorted the Hebrew definition of faith by
trying to interpret it through an English or Western cultural lens. This approach
is as flawed as trying to understand Shakespeare through the lens of Nigerian
culture without the original English context.
The Practicality of
Faith
Faith is not a passive belief but an active process of gathering evidence and
understanding. Hebrews 11:3 emphasizes that faith enables us to
understand how unseen forces shape visible outcomes. Developing faith requires
meditation, personal study, and research to connect spiritual principles with
practical outcomes.
Our generation is in a
privileged position compared to the generations of the Old and New Testaments.
We have access to scriptural resources in various formats. However, this
abundance has also led to many deceptive teachers who misinterpret Hebrew scriptures
without understanding the original context. Therefore, true faith requires
discernment and a return to scriptural roots.
Faith: A Tool for
Understanding Hope and the Unseen
If faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not
seen, then it is a tool for understanding. It helps us gather substantial
evidence to support our hopes and unseen expectations. Hebrews 11 tells
us that the elders obtained a good report by their faith that is, through
gathering evidence and coming to understanding.
When Hebrew Scriptures
command us to have faith, they are not asking for blind belief. They are
telling us to gather enough substance and evidence to understand our hope and
the unseen. The gospel of salvation itself is built on understanding through
faith. The robber crucified with Yahusha Ha'Mashiach understood through faith
that he would be with Yahusha after death.
If someone claims they
do not believe in Yahuah, it simply means they have not come to an
understanding through faith. It is the responsibility of believers to present
substantial evidence to help others build that understanding. Telling someone
to "just have faith" without providing evidence is ineffective. Like
in a classroom, each student learns differently, and so pastors must also
differentiate their instructions to help each person understand at their level.
Faith as a Learning Process
Faith is like learning mathematics. Hearing the teacher is only the beginning.
You must personally study and practice until the processes become clear and you
can substantiate your understanding with concrete evidence. Faith is developed
through this same process by gathering enough substantial evidence to
understand things hoped for and unseen.
In conclusion, faith
is not blind belief. It is the substantial evidence that supports our hope and
unseen expectations. To build true faith, we must study, meditate, and
understand the principles of Scripture. Faith is not one-size-fits-all; it is a
personal journey of gathering the right evidence to help us understand and
bring our hopes into reality.
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