Faith, Scripture says, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen – not the blind faith of popular use, a hope with no evidence behind it, but a confidence grounded in the reality of God’s promises. That faith is itself a gift: we are saved by grace through faith, and this is not our own doing, so that no one may boast. The saints of old were commended not for the strength of their own belief but for the God whose promises they held onto and followed.
True faith pleases God – without it, Scripture says, it is impossible to please him, for whoever comes to him must believe that he exists and rewards those who seek him – and faith keeps us in harmony with his word and leads us to obey him. Because faith is centered on Christ, in whom all the fullness of God is pleased to dwell, it also sees what is truly valuable: like a man who sells everything for a hidden treasure or a costly pearl, faith counts the kingdom of heaven worth more than anything the world offers.