Whenever I want to get clarity on something within the Scriptures, I think of how Jesus used parables (real world examples) to illustrate spiritual truth. This is why I see "faith" as having a belief as if it was in your possession now. For "Faith" is that thing you believe that is a reality for you with no actual evidence to prove otherwise. Now, "hope" is the eager expectation of something that is yet future. For example: A woman who is engaged to be married can have "faith" in her current relationship with her fiancé now in the present, but it is her eager "hope" and expectation to want to be married to him so as to enjoy the good things with him in marriage. She is hoping so much to be with him in marriage despite her current "present day faith" in their relationship. For a million and one things could happen between their current "present day faith relationship" and at the point they will be married. So she hopes. She waits in eager anticipation for that day of walking down the aisle and then kissing him after saying, "I do."
But she must exercise her "present day faith" that she has in their relationship in order to truly have a confident "hope" that they will be married. If not, (if she loses faith in their present relationship), then that eager expectation or "hope" will then start to fade. So "faith" and "hope" are joined together as one; They are tied together like two strings that tie a knot.
This is why "faith" and "hope" are not really all that separated. For Hebrews 11:1 defines "faith" as having a confidence, substance, reality, or possession of things hoped for. Here are few expressions of this thought in several translations.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1 NLT
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
Hebrews 11:1 HCSB
"Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen."
Hebrews 11:1 NET
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1 PHILLIPS
"Now faith means putting our full confidence in the things we hope for, it means being certain of things we cannot see."
Hebrews 11:1 NCV
"Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it."
For in Hebrews chapter 11, we see "faith" being defined not only in confidently trusting in God at His Word, but we trust in His Word by acting upon it. Just as the woman who has "faith" in her present day relationship with her fiance. She develops and cultivates that relationship in the "hope" she will be married one day to him.
Anyways, when looking at the Scriptures, we learn that there is "hope" in "faith" and there is "faith" in "hope". They are essentially one, but one can take more prominence over the other.
For "faith" (When it is dominant over hope) is having a confidence or possession of "hope" in being more of a mental reality to us. We know we have God's promise that we will be with the Lord in Heaven one day. For we sit in heavenly places with him now. But to be overjoyed by knowing we will be with him one day (is another thing).
For "hope" (When it is dominant over faith) is having a joy and eager (but patient) expectation of the promise, who is Jesus Christ and spending eternity with Him. For He is our "hope." To be married to Him and forever knowing His love and joy to it's fullest capacity. We hope and yearn and desire and jump for joy in rejoicing for that day to be with Him in Heaven so much. We "hope" for that (Which is by faith). For I can believe I will be in Heaven with the Lord, but if I don't yearn, desire, get excited at that idea, then we are not building our "hope" like we are supposed to it's fullest potential. Yes, "faith" starts out as having "hope" in God's promises. Believing in those promises. But "hope" when realized in our life is a "strong desire" in joy upon God's promises (Whereby it moves us like a loving relationship should). For this kind of "hope" makes us want to do backflips (if we are able to do them) and shout for joy from the rooftops about God's love. For true happiness is in the God of Hope (which is by faith).
Anyways, I hope what I have written here has helped somebody today.
Oh, and please also look at Romans chapter 5. Read the entire chapter and let it soak in. For in the beginning of this chapter I believe it is telling us that there are two different aspects of how we work "hope" into our lives (of which I alluded to). For there is the "hope" within our justification (belief in our salvation in the Lord now). Then there is the "hope" of our sanctification where God works a joy (and rejoicing) within in us so as to endure persecution, which leads to patience, which then leads to experience (in walking with the Lord), which then leads to another deeper level of "hope."
In any event, may God bless you all this fine day.
And please be well.
With loving kindness to you in Christ (Who is our "hope" by "faith).
Sincerely,
~Jason.
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