“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  (Hebrews 11:1)

To have a good understanding of this truth – and a true definition of what Faith is defined as by the Word of God – one must be somewhat familiar with the courtroom setting and what it feels like to be a defendant before a judge – to be one who needs a way out.

Hebrews 10:31 say, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:30 tells us who the Judge is:

“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”

To be blunt, every man born into the world is born under the Judgment of God. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Death is the Judgment, but there is still Hope!

Only God Himself has the right and the ability to release any man from His Judgment:

“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (Romans 5:18)

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19)

In the above passage, the use of the word “justification” simply tells us that we have been restored back into the right relationship before God. We now stand before Him in the Righteousness of His dear Son, Jesus.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:24)

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:25)

“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26)

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” (Romans 3:27)

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28)

Faith is the answer to Job’s questions: in Job 9:2, he asks, “…how should man be just with God?” In Job 4:17, he asks, “Shall mortal man be more just than God?” Then he asked again, in Job 25:4, “How then can man be justified with God?”

We see then that Job had the Hope to be just before God; and to be justified with God. If he would have had Hebrews 11:1 written down before his eyes, he would have had the answer, not only to his three friends’ questions and accusations, but also to his own Hope as well.

Hebrews 11:6 says:

“But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

The substance and the evidence are things that can be presented unto the Judge as proof, or means, to be either condemned or justified. Since God is the Judge, He has decided to allow Faith to be the instrumental avenue to administer His Grace and Mercy. Look at Ephesians 2:8 and Romans 3:30:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8)

“Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” (Romans 3:30)

Because we cannot see why or how we can be just before God, it does not means that we cannot be. God can see why and how. It is through Faith. And that Faith is in the finished Work of His Son Jesus Christ. He paid our debt in full. God is not pleased with anyone else’s righteousness; only that of Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ and in Him alone is the substance and evidence that God the Father will be looking for, and the only one He will accept, when every man stands before Him.

Do you have what it takes to be just with God?

I encourage you to have an inquiring mind as Job did, and to do some reasoning with God – if you feel, or know, that you do not have what it takes.