Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” I Peter 1:8 states, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Although we have not seen Him, we love Him because of true faith. Faith is a belief and acceptance of the truth of what God has revealed. What God says in His Word, the Bible, is evidence enough of the truth that God gives us. We believe because God said it! The Christian believes in the reality of God. This reality is revealed in the Bible. We are instructed to “search the scriptures” because it “was impossible for God to lie” and it is His Word. When we believe God and receive His son Jesus as our Savior our spiritual eyes are opened. Romans 10:17 says, “So the faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” “We walk by faith and not by sight.”
Reality is defined as the actual being or existence of anything; truth; fact; in distinction from mere appearance. There is an often used statement, “seeing is believing!” The world cannot see what the Christian can see. The Christian has a new set of eyes! The eyes of faith. The Psalmist prayed in Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” In verse 105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This reality becomes the basis of our life.
What is real to you about God? You cannot know God except for yourself. We are often told about someone that we don’t know personally, but there is a much different relationship when we know them for ourselves. To know Him is to love Him. I Peter 2:7 says, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:”. The Bible says, “…taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him”. Describe the taste of a banana to someone that has never tasted a banana. Describe the taste of honey to someone who has never tasted honey. You will not be able to describe it correctly. The best solution is to let them taste it for themselves.
The blessings of the believer are not only for this life, but they are eternal. Our future is as bright as the promises of God. Peter writes in II Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” What they saw transformed their lives. In verse 9 the Bible says, “We have also a more sure word…” Look into His word. It will truly change your life.
God promises His strength, His comfort, His peace, His wisdom, His help, His eternity. The phrase “be not afraid” is written 365 times in the Bible. That is a daily reminder from God that He is there for you. Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”