By Joe Chesser
As Christians, we are expected to “walk by
faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5.7). If left to humans, walking by faith could
mean just about anything. So, we need to ask, “What is God’s definition of
faith? What words are used by the Holy Spirit to describe what faith is? Upon
what is faith based? What does faith look like? What is the ultimate blessing
of faith?” The answers to these and many other questions are found in Hebrews
11.
Hebrews 11.1 begins with God’s definition
of faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen” (ESV/NASB). Other translations use words like “being
sure/certain” (NIV); “substance/evidence” (KJV/NKJV); “confidence /assurance”
(NLT). These words tell us that faith is defined as how we understand, how we
feel about, and how we respond to the evidence we are given. “By faith we understand that the universe was
created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things
that are visible” (11.3). Faith gives us assurance and confidence that this is
true, and that feels good. Uncertainty, or having no faith, doesn’t feel good.
But Hebrews 11 does not limit faith to only
a feeling or understanding, as good as those are. The chapter doesn’t end with
verse 3. The Holy Spirit guided the writer of Hebrews to demonstrate time and
again that God expects a response from our faith. What did people do who
believed what God said? By faith Abel offered (11.4), Noah constructed (11.7),
Abraham obeyed, went, lived, looked, and offered (11.8-10, 17), Isaac invoked
(11.20), Jacob blessed (11.21), Moses chose, left, and kept (11.25-28), Israel crossed
(11.29), Rahab welcomed (11.31), and a host of others conquered, enforced,
obtained, stopped, quenched, escaped, were made strong, became mighty, defeated
armies, suffered, and were tortured, destitute, afflicted, mistreated and
killed (11.32-34). Faith gave these men and women the confidence and assurance
to do these things and/or to endure these things. From Hebrews 11 faith is
never motionless, apathetic or academic. The faith described in this chapter is
living and active – or it’s dead (James 2.21-26). Because of our confidence in
the evidence God provides, we do what He says, if it is our goal to please God.
“For without faith it is impossible to please him” (11.6a).
However, Hebrews 11 makes it clear that
there is a reward for such faith. God is not a tyrant who expects us to
sacrifice for Him without receiving something in return. No, our faith not only
allows us to please Him (if that were not enough), but also to draw near to Him
and be rewarded by Him (11.6). The thought of a greater reward inspired the
ancients (11.13-16, 24-26, 39-40). It should inspire us too!!
If thoughts of an eternal reward in the
presence of God (John 14.1-3) fills you with hope like it did the ancients,
then you need to take to heart the message of Hebrews 11. Having the kind of
faith described there will give you confidence and assurance!
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