faith definition

I was raised in church.  They did a good job teaching us and reminding us of the most essential elements of Bible knowledge.  Whenever it came to faith, there was always the standard definition from Hebrews 11;1.  It was stated as fact, quickly and then we moved on.  Just like the Roman road, Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10, I didn't know about Romans 3:24 until much later in life when I paid attention to the context!  What the writer of Hebrews meant was that Christian faith is a right now reality.  That's why he said "substance" and "evidence'. 
Heb. 11:1   Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Rejoice today because your faith is a reality of the great hope that God has placed within each believer's heart!  Praise God!