Faith is one of the most commonly used words in the Christian life, yet it is often one of the most misunderstood. People say, “Just have faith,” or “Keep the faith,” but Scripture does not leave us with a vague idea of what faith is. Hebrews 11 begins with a definition. God wants us to know what true, biblical faith looks like because the Bible tells us plainly, “But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). That statement alone shows how important this subject is.
At the end of Hebrews 11:1, the Bible calls faith “the evidence of things not seen.” That word evidence reminds us that faith is not a blind leap into the dark. Biblical faith is a response to what God has revealed about Himself. We do not see everything, but we are not without proof. God, in His kindness, has given us witnesses, testimonies, and evidence so that our faith can rest in what is true and certain.
In this passage, the Lord presents three pieces of evidence that show why faith in Him is reasonable, right, and pleasing to Him.
1. The Evidence in Creation
Hebrews 11:3 says, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” The first evidence God gives us is the world around us. Creation itself testifies that there is a Creator.
When we look at the order of the universe, the complexity of the human body, and the precision of nature, we are reminded that these things did not happen by accident. The design we see points to a Designer. Every sunrise, every living cell, every detail of the natural world declares that God exists and that He is powerful beyond our imagination. Before there was matter, there was God. Before there was time, there was God. Everything we see owes its existence to Him.
This matters because our faith is not only about believing that God created the world. It is about trusting the Creator with our lives. The One who spoke the universe into existence is able to save, to guide, and to sustain us. When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, we are placing our faith in the same God who framed the worlds by His word. Creation gives us confidence that He is worthy of our trust.
2. The Evidence in Abel
Hebrews 11:4 tells us, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Abel’s life is presented as another witness, another piece of evidence.
Abel’s sacrifice was accepted not merely because of what he brought, but because of the faith behind it. God is not impressed by activity alone. He looks at the heart. Abel trusted God, and that faith shaped his obedience. Even today, thousands of years later, Abel’s testimony still speaks. His life reminds us that God sees faithful obedience, even when others misunderstand it.
There are times when you will obey God, and no one else will understand your decision. Your motives may be questioned. Your choices may be criticized. But God never misreads the heart of a person who is seeking to follow Him by faith. Abel’s example assures us that faith is never wasted. God sees it, and He uses it to encourage others long after our own lives are finished.
3. The Evidence in Enoch
Hebrews 11:5–6 points us to another witness: Enoch. The Bible tells us that Enoch walked with God and that he pleased God. Then the Scripture explains how he pleased God. “But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Enoch’s life teaches us that God is pleased not merely by what we do, but by the faith that leads us to do it. It is possible to attend church, to give, to serve, and even to speak about spiritual things without truly trusting God. Faith changes the motive behind the action. Faith says, “God, I trust You enough to obey You, even when I do not see the outcome.”
Walking with God is still the calling of every believer. We walk with Him as we read His Word, pray, worship, and obey what He has shown us. Day by day, step by step, we learn to trust Him more. Faith is not about perfection. It is about trust. God is not looking for flawless people. He is looking for people who will believe Him enough to follow Him.
Living by Faith Today
God has not asked us to live by blind hope. He has given us evidence. Creation declares His power. Abel declares that God sees faithful obedience. Enoch declares that faith is what pleases God. The question is not whether God is trustworthy. The question is whether we will trust Him.
Have you trusted Him for salvation? Have you trusted Him in your daily decisions, in your fears, in your relationships, and in your prayers? Faith shows itself in the choices we make. It shows itself when we forgive, when we obey Scripture, when we step forward in obedience even though we feel uncertain.
Reflection Question:If someone examined your choices this past week, would they find evidence of faith? What step of faith is God calling you to take today?
