11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Is the intellectual acknowledgement of doctrines and ideas faith? Or is that just custom and/or tradition? If one's beliefs do not create a heart that is passionate for God and obedient to Him, is it faith?
If God is more than a theory, then faith needs to involve a loving and obedient relationship with Him. God speaks to people continually through their conscience, their circumstances, other people, the Bible, and His direct voice in their heart.
After I first encountered God in 1970, I began to read the book of Acts in the New Testament. I noticed that it contained many references to hearing God speak: "God said to Peter," and "The Spirit spoke to Paul." I didn't think God was talking to me, so one day I asked Him about it.
I said: "God, you frequently spoke to people in the New Testament, why aren't you speaking to people in our day."
Suddenly these words popped into my mind: "The problem is not that I'm not speaking, but that you're not listening." Now, I know that I didn't answer my own question or make that up. I had never thought such thoughts before.
Since then God frequently speaks to me -- when I take the time to listen to His voice. He often tells me things that I don't want to hear. My challenge is always: Do I obey what God said or do my own thing? It's very tough to go against my own desires and obey God, but I strive to do so.
Faith is not theory or religion or ritual or doctrine or ceremony. Faith is a dynamic, personal, obedient relationship with the living God.
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