This is the mechanics of faith. It means we embrace the things hoped for. We have a deep conviction about things presently unseen (see Hebrews 11:1) — but that one day will be seen. And although they are not seen now, they are no less real, and so we grip them. We take our future reality and we bring it to bear on the here and now. We seize the assurance of our eternal life and we apply it to our present life.
