Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
We all know that verse, found in Hebrews 11:1, don’t we? But do we really know what faith is? The answer might amaze you, and I guarantee you, it will definitely make your day. In fact, it will make your entire life a lot more like Jesus taught than you ever thought possible. Sound like something you’d like to know more about? I thought so. So grab a bowl of popcorn, get comfortable, and read on.
Remember in high school Algebra class the basic part like (a=b)? Hebrews 11:1 is somewhat of an equation that looks in part like this: faith=substance. You want to know what faith is? Then this is how you find out. It is written, Now faith is the substance…. so at this point we can safely say a part of the equation is: faith = substance. Here is where it gets really interesting. When we look up the meaning of the word used for substance we find the Greek word hupostasis (5287). The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance gives the meaning of hupostasis as: “hoop-os’-tas-is; from a comp. of 5259 and 2476; a setting under (support), i.e.(fig) concr. essence, or abst. assurance (obj. or subj.):- confidence, confident, person, substance.”

This word hupostasis is used three times in the New Testament, translated in Hebrews 11:1 as substance. But that isn’t the end of the story. Let’s take a look in Hebrews 1:1-3 for another astounding look how the Greek word hupostasis is used.
1. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.
2. hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3. who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person(5287) and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

I had to use all three verses to establish who spoke and what he spoke about, so bear with me here. First off, God spoke. To whom? The fathers, by the prophets. And in these last days, by His Son, Christ Jesus, whom he (God) appointed heir of all things. To whom was Jesus speaking? To US who are believers, which are joint-heirs with Christ Jesus. Now it goes on to state, by whom also He (God) made the worlds. Here is where it gets real interesting again; who (again, Christ Jesus) being the brightness of his (God’s) glory , and the express image of his (God’s) person (5287).

Now, back to Algebra class to the equation again to add another component: faith= (substance=Jesus). Still with me? Good. Plot thickens, watch this. Faith = (substance)=(Jesus)=(the express image of His{GOD’S} person). Now, let’s go to the third time hupostasis is used, and that is in 2 Corinthians 9:4, “Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident (5287) boasting.”
OK, what am I trying to say here? Well, let’s add the third component and let the equation speak for itself.
Faith= (substance)=(Jesus, the express image of God’s person)= (confident, or confidence). Here we plainly see, and none can dispute, that faith not only equals individually the components of substance, Jesus, and confidence, but that faith cannot exist without each and all of the components. You cannot have faith unless God gives it to you, nor can you have faith without confidence, that is, a firm expectant trust in Him, nor can you have faith without substance coming forth. And you can’t have any of it without Jesus!

If you put all the components together, faith explodes into substance. It has to, because that’s the way God created it to work. It is written in Romans 12:3 that God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. And in the world of faith, one size fits all, because there’s only one size given, and that’s the measure. If it were a measure, then your measure might be bigger or smaller than mine, or that of Jesus, even.
Whoa there!! Now you’re bringing Jesus into the picture again, that’s not fair, is it? Sure, why not? Yes, Jesus is the express image of God, but He came as a man, so therefore, Jesus was dealt the same measure of faith, the measure of faith, that you and I were given. How do I know that? Because if Jesus came to earth as a man, and He did, then He had to play by the same rules as all we men do.

 Sorry, friends, but all Jesus was issued was the measure of faith, not some super abundant measure of faith. Ah, but not to despair, it was obviously enough to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and raise the dead. In fact, don’t I remember reading in Matthew 10:8 that Jesus commanded His disciples, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have received, freely give.“? Then that means the measure of faith that God gave each of us is sufficient to accomplish this mandate that Jesus gave His disciples. And if you’re a disciple of Jesus, that includes you, Bubba! (or Bubbette, whichever applies).
Moving right along, we have first established all have been given faith, and the same measure of faith, by God. We cannot go before God and say, “God, you didn’t give me any faith.” He said He did. And I’m not about to argue with Him. Baaaaaad move. You won’t win.

 We can go on to assert that faith not only comes from God Himself, but that when it is applied to our circumstances, it becomes substance, something tangible that you can lay your hands on, just as it did and does yet today like when God applied it at the creation of the universe. And when we apply it by the confidence in Him, that is, by and in the name of Jesus, the express image of the person of God, we know it will come to pass, because it is impossible for God to lie. After all, if God, speaking by Jesus, told His disciples to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils, then it’s available today, assuming we are also His disciples, because though the world may pass away, the word of God shall never pass away.
Now, there are those who will argue this teaching with me, and to them I say, you are entitled to your opinion. But it’s pretty hard to convince a person who has just eaten a piece of cherry pie, that there is no such thing as cherry pie. Catch my drift?
Faith works, my friend. It will get you saved, it will get you healed, it will get you filled with the Holy Ghost, it will change your life! But don’t take my word for it, you have the measure of faith….use it!!

Remember in the definition of hupostasis the part that says “a setting under”? That’s foundation, man. That’s what the creation is built on. What’s that foundation? Faith!
So now, if someone asks you what faith is, you can tell them! Or at least hand them this article.