“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. … But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:1,6
Supernatural faith is a gift from God that lets us see beyond what our eyes and minds can grasp. But if we set it aside and live only by “sight,” we will never accomplish our Divine purpose or experience the full measure of the fruit of the Spirit. Thus, Scripture urges us to examine whether we remain in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Supernatural faith is not something we naturally produce. Without it, we only have physical faith, which is based upon our five senses and carnal mind. Thus, we only trust what we can see, touch, and explain. Our instincts cling to what feels certain—money in the bank, strength in our bodies, traditions, or the approval of people.
The Bible makes clear that supernatural faith is a gift of God.
Paul told the Philippians: “For to you it has been GRANTED on behalf of Christ, not only to believe [exercise faith] in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29). Belief is the exercise of the gift of faith—not self-generated; it is something granted by God. Peter echoes the same truth when he references “those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:1) Not only is faith obtained from God, but even the measure of faith we have comes from God. (Romans 12:3) And Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that Jesus is both the author and the finisher of our faith. From beginning to end, HIS “faith” is HIS work in us.
Jesus Himself taught us this principle. When Peter boldly confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus replied: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16–17) In other words, even Peter’s mere recognition of Jesus’ identity did not come from his own wisdom or perception. It was a revelation from God, given through the Spirit. Supernatural faith always begins with God. (In an earlier set of devotionals, we took a deep dive into the difference between supernatural faith and natural faith.)
Throughout the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, we have on display the lives of men and women who trusted God against all odds. But notice carefully — none of them believed because they were naturally more spiritual or more intelligent than others. They believed because God revealed Himself, and He gave them the faith to respond.
- By faith, Noah built an ark when there was no rain. (Hebrews 11:7) He believed God’s warning about things “not yet seen.” Only God-given faith could make him act against all human evidence.
- By faith, Abraham left his homeland and lived as a stranger in tents, “not knowing where he was going.” (v.8) Natural reasoning would have kept him home; supernatural faith compelled him forward.
- By faith, Sarah received strength to conceive in her old age, because she judged God faithful. (v.11) Her body said “impossible,” but God gave her the faith to trust His promise.
- By faith, Moses turned away from the treasures of Egypt, “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches.” (vv.24–26) Faith opened his eyes to eternal reward when everything visible pointed to worldly power.
Hebrews 11 shows us that God’s gift of faith gives us supernatural eyesight. It perceives realities the human mind and senses cannot grasp. Without this gift, we remain blind and bound to the visible and the temporary.
And when we abandon this gift — when we trade faith for sight — the results are tragic. Just before the Hall of Faith, Hebrews warns: “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38) To walk away from living by faith is to walk away from the very means by which we please and glorify God. Without it, we lose our divine purpose, hope, peace, and satisfaction.
Scripture teaches that genuine faith will always show itself through evidence.
Jesus made it plain when He said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Love is not just an emotion—it is selflessness in action, a willingness to put God and others ahead of ourselves. That is why Paul lists “love” first among the “fruit of the Spirit”—“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23) My younger brother, Thomas, made the observation: “Just like the ingredients label on food lists the most abundant ingredient first, ‘love’; is listed first in the fruit of the Spirit and is meant to be the most plentiful ingredient in the life of a believer.” Furthermore, James affirms this in a radical statement: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17) Love is the work of faith.
Our works of love don’t create faith, but they do reveal whether the faith we profess is from God.
True, Spirit-given faith always bears fruit. When we are loving people, we have a powerful platform for sharing the Gospel with them. Love gives us power to carry out the Great Commission of Jesus—to make disciples. The evidence will be in the people who are coming to you—hungry to know the Source of love you carry. They will see Jesus.
What better gift can we give?
Reflection Thought
Is the fruit of supernatural faith pouring from all areas of your life? If not, examine whether you truly are living by faith or whether you have relegated yourself to living by what your eyes can see and your mind can reason.
Prayer
Father, thank You for granting me the gift of supernatural faith. I know that I could never have seen Jesus as my Savior apart from Your Spirit opening my eyes. Forgive me when I drift back into living by sight and leaning on my own understanding. Keep me walking in this magnificent supernatural gift You have given, so that the fruit of the Spirit and the works of my hands show the reality of the faith You give me. Let my life be evidence to all who know me that You are the reason for the love that I have. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
