The
book of Hebrews names an element that is absolutely essential to the
development of the Christian life --- the quality of faith. Chapter 11 focuses on faith by giving a
description of it as well as supplying several demonstrations of it. The first three verses focus on the
ingredients of faith.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen. For by it
the men of old gained approval. By faith
we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is
seen was not made out of things which are visible (NASB).
From this we learn
that faith is not merely positive thinking; neither is it just a hunch that is
followed. Faith is not simply hoping for
the best; neither is it solely a feeling of optimism. Faith does not possess the quality of
believing in something in spite of the evidence. That would be superstition.
Faith is the
assurance of things hoped for. It is to
the Christian what the foundation is to a house. It gives confidence and assurance that will
stand and support the superstructure.
Faith is the conviction of things not seen. That which is seen is not the whole
explanation of life. There are realities
that cannot be seen, weighed, measured, analyzed, or touched; yet, they are as
real and vital as anything we can see.
Several examples are
given in this chapter of people who lived in the same kind of world in which we
live and were confronted with the same problems we face; yet, they mastered
their problems and overcame great obstacles through their faith. Consider some of the marks of their faith
that we need to develop in our lives.
GENUINE FAITH ALWAYS
ACTS. It doesn’t sit around and do nothing. Note that Abel offered (vs. 4), Noah prepared
(vs. 7), Abraham obeyed (vs. 8), Sarah conceived (vs. 11), Isaac blessed
(vs. 20), Moses’ parents hid him for three months (vs. 23),
Moses refused (vs. 24), left Egypt (vs. 27), kept the
Passover (vs. 28), Israel passed through the Red Sea (vs. 29),
encircled
the city of Jericho (vs. 30), and Rahab welcomed the spies (vs. 31). In every case there was action on the part of
those who had faith.
FAITH ANTICIPATES. Without faith, life would be a blind march
into mystery. Faith gives to life a goal
and purpose. Abraham lived as an alien
in the land God promised him for he anticipated a heavenly city (vv.
8-10). Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
anticipated by faith that which was beyond their present experience (vv.
20-22). The Christian, in like manner,
anticipates ultimate victory in Christ (Rev. 2:10) and eagerly awaits his
eternal home (John 14:1-3).
FAITH RISKS. The person of genuine faith gladly sacrifices
any present advantage in order to gain future promises. Moses risked his material advantage in order
to gain something of great reward (vv. 24-28).
He chose the imperishable, saw the invisible, and did the “impossible.” Such is the nature of faith.
These examples
challenge us “set our jaws” that we will be determined to be a people of faith.
