The Narrow Path Ministries

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen"

IF GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING and IS SOVEREIGN OVER EVERYTHING.

Is it logical for God to know/experience what the following are:

FAITH AND HOPE

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Hello Jill,

I was wondering if you had any scriptural references to support your feelings that God "experiences" faith and hope? Some verses came to mind that seem to show God's relationship to faith and hope but I don't recall anywhere in the scriptures that would attribute these things to God in the way that you describe.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 7:9 Therefore know that the LORD your God, He [is] God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (NKJV)


Just curious.

Thanks,

l2j

I'm curious if the "NOW" part is meaningful here. It would seem that much of Paul's early use of faith implies that it is exactly that which was seen (the Messianic fulfillment in the real man, Jesus) and the resurrected body. Is Hebrews somehow suggesting that there is a "new" way to see faith "now" in a more spiritual way, or is the word just a sort of superfluous introduction (like, "SO" or "Allright then")?

darinhouston wrote:I'm curious if the "NOW" part is meaningful here. It would seem that much of Paul's early use of faith implies that it is exactly that which was seen (the Messianic fulfillment in the real man, Jesus) and the resurrected body. Is Hebrews somehow suggesting that there is a "new" way to see faith "now" in a more spiritual way, or is the word just a sort of superfluous introduction (like, "SO" or "Allright then")?

I've always understood it as meaning as "so, listen here, it's like this..."

from Strong's:

Heb 11:1 KJV+ Now1161 faith4102 is2076 the substance5287 of things hoped for,1679 the evidence1650 of things4229 not3756 seen.991

G1161
δέ
de
deh
A primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.: - also, and, but, moreover, now [often unexpressed in English].

There are many emotions that man feels that God can't simply because He is God.

He can't be tired/evil/hungry/....

If you define faith as

philman wrote:Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen"

Then I think God can only have faith in Himself. Because nothing is unseen to Him and he can make anything happen.

tim

Suzana wrote:

darinhouston wrote:I'm curious if the "NOW" part is meaningful here. It would seem that much of Paul's early use of faith implies that it is exactly that which was seen (the Messianic fulfillment in the real man, Jesus) and the resurrected body. Is Hebrews somehow suggesting that there is a "new" way to see faith "now" in a more spiritual way, or is the word just a sort of superfluous introduction (like, "SO" or "Allright then")?

I've always understood it as meaning as "so, listen here, it's like this..."

from Strong's:

Heb 11:1 KJV+ Now1161 faith4102 is2076 the substance5287 of things hoped for,1679 the evidence1650 of things4229 not3756 seen.991

G1161
δέ
de
deh
A primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.: - also, and, but, moreover, now [often unexpressed in English].

I can accept that -- it does still seem, however, that the notion of "faith" seems to shift at times through the NT from the strict Heb 11:1 definition to something more generic.

My intent of this post was to explore why God requires faith in humans.

Having faith like a child. Accepting and trusting EVEN though we can't see, don't understand, and the universe and GOD himself is shrouded in mystery.

"Blind Faith"...I am not suggesting ignorant faith. God cannot feel the same emotion as us, but maybe since God Sees all He knows our hearts.

.

philman wrote:My intent of this post was to explore why God requires faith in humans.

Having faith like a child. Accepting and trusting EVEN though we can't see, don't understand, and the universe and GOD himself is shrouded in mystery.

"Blind Faith"...I am not suggesting ignorant faith. God cannot feel the same emotion as us, but maybe since God Sees all He knows our hearts.

I think you have to ask yourself what else besides faith could God require of humans?

He could have required a certain height or gender but these attributes have nothing to do with us and are fairly arbitrary.
He could have required a specific set or number of good deeds but that would make salvation works based.
He could (and if you’re a Calvinist he does) arbitrarily pick certain people, but then nothing would be required of humans.
He could also pick someone then unpick that someone the re-pick that someone, all based on His different whims, but then He wouldn’t be Loving or Just.

So what are you left with?