Hebrews 11:1 (Complete Jewish Bible)
"Trusting (Faith) is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see."
In today’s Christianity, the word "faith" is frequently used in a way that can mislead many into simply accepting someone else's opinion—often the claim that Jesus Christ has already done everything necessary for them to receive the privilege of eternal life, without requiring any transformation on their part.
However, in observable reality, many members of Christian communities rely more on the opinions of their pastors and leaders—who often overlook the essential need for the transformation of the heart (not "hearth") condition. According to 2 Peter 1:5–11, believers are called to grow and mature spiritually, forming a life of righteousness before the God of Creation. Only then can one receive the condition of redemption.
This transformation should result in three very clear and rational changes in your life:
The Fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22–23):
The first three qualities (love, joy, peace) should reflect your relationship with the God of Creation.
The next three (patience, kindness, goodness) should guide how you relate to others.
The final three (faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) reveal the condition of your transformed heart.
The Armor of God
(Ephesians 6:10–18):
This spiritual armor equips you to defend yourself against the constant deception of the "god of this world," who works to keep you from belonging to the Book of Life—the Lamb's Book.
Spiritual Understanding of Scripture
A transformed heart also allows you to understand the true meaning of the revelations found in the Bible. For example, starting with Genesis 1:1, today’s rational knowledge can help us grasp how the universe and its molecules were formed by divine design.
Therefore, Hebrews 11:1 teaches that true faith is a product of confidence in the path to eternal life, guided by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. It also involves a conviction in the unseen reality of God’s promises. This conviction can be affirmed by the fundamental question:
“Why is there something rather than nothing?”
Because the Creator of the Universe initiated both types of reality—objective and subjective—including the biological formation of the male seed in the womb to bring forth the only Son of Man, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Salvation, then, is not about being rescued from the wrath of the God of Creation, but about being delivered from the dominion and deception of the god of this world (see Matthew 4:8–9 and Luke 4:5–7), and from your own tendency to fall into his traps.
Reflect on this:
How can God help you be rescued from disobedience to His will if His ultimate desire is for everyone to be saved from the power of this world’s deceiver?