It empowers believers to perform one of the most magnificent acts a creature can undertake.
In terms of practical application, if faith is the substance of things hoped for and grants reality to such lofty and divine things, then faith itself must be an exceedingly substantial thing. It is not a mere concept or notion, as it gives reality and substance to what the world deems as mere notions. Faith is one of the most substantial and glorious elements in the world. It is through faith that the power of God is most evidently displayed, as seen in Ephesians 1:19-20, where several levels of God’s extraordinary power are revealed in the workings of faith. This underscores that faith possesses a remarkable essence. Indeed, faith encompasses much, for even though it is a grace that humbles us, it empowers believers to perform one of the most magnificent acts a creature can undertake. To have a soul acknowledge its own wretchedness, burdened by sin and guilt, and recognize the wrath of an infinite deity directed towards it, along with the infinite justice of God demanding satisfaction and His infinite holiness abhorring sin. Confronted by the accusations of conscience, Satan, and the world, and fully aware of these afflictions, yet choosing to lay hold of a mediator between God and humanity, placing trust in a righteousness beyond oneself, offering it to God the Father as complete atonement and satisfaction, and daring to stake one’s eternal destiny on it. Despite its inherent impurity and filth, faith enables one to unite with God in a bond as close as possible, given the nature of the relationship, almost akin to the hypostatic union between the human nature of Christ and the divine. Undoubtedly, faith accomplishes a profoundly noble and glorious work, demonstrating the abundance of God’s power within it.
In light of this, we can discern the emptiness of the faith held by the majority of people in the world. Their faith is devoid of substance; it is mere emptiness, merely a notion. It is no wonder, then, that everything they believe remains as mere notions, and their faith remains ineffectual. You claim to hope, believe, and trust in God’s mercy, but what practical and substantial impact does your faith have on your hearts? When genuine faith enters, it brings with it the mighty power of God and His wondrous glory into the soul, almost as if it creates and bestows real existence upon the loftiest and most glorious objects in the world. Therefore, recognize that faith is not a lifeless, shallow entity in the soul; it exerts a powerful influence on the hearts of both men and women. Certainly, the faith that can save a soul must exhibit lofty and glorious effects within the soul.
Furthermore, if faith imparts substantial existence to things hoped for, then we must learn to strengthen and exercise our faith in the objects of our hope. Which one of us does not aspire to attain great and glorious things (as I previously hinted at)? Therefore, let faith be actively exercised and fortified in these matters. If all these blessed things we spoke of were present in the soul, how elevated our hearts would be above worldly matters! We would regard all earthly things as insignificant and worthless. Our thoughts would be captivated by the wonder of spiritual and heavenly things, our spirits would be kindled with love for God, and our conduct would reflect heavenly priorities at present. We would harbor heavenly thoughts and heavenly affections in all our ways, and we would willingly face any trial, endure any hardship, and sacrifice anything for God. If our faith could make such glorious things as these genuinely substantial to us, then our duties and services would also possess true substance. Why is it, then, that our duties often seem so futile and empty, devoid of anything but outward form? Certainly, brethren, if our faith can give a substantial reality to the blessed and glorious aspects of eternal life, it can equally bestow substantial reality upon all our duties and services, ensuring that we do not present empty and lifeless offerings to God.
Jeremiah Burroughs. The Saint’s Treasury.
