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Living Faith
March 10, 2012

The Faith Chapter, Hebrews 11, contains many true stories that may seem fantastic and the substance of Hollywood special effects. What the Faith Chapter shows us is that throughout history, people have lived and died by their faith and that their faith pulled them through the most difficult times. It is pointed out to us that that there are countless other examples for us to consider and far too many to be individually listed. The chapter ends with a summary of some of these other examples of faith.

Hebrews 11:32-39
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthae; David also, and Samuel, and the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

And what is pointed out again and again in the Faith Chapter is the idea that even though all of these individuals had faith, they hadn't yet received the promise. So what we can learn from the Faith Chapter is we do not have faith in order to get something. We are to have faith simply because we believe. And in believing, all of these people obeyed God, and their obedience got each of them through very difficult times. Sometimes, very difficult times can make us question God and how he is working in our life. We know that if we are called of God, believe God and have faith, and obey God, that God can work miracles in our life.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

Sometimes having this academic knowledge is easier than having faith. Reading and agreeing with something is easier than doing whatever you are reading about. For instance, if you want to paint a room, it is easier, and normally takes less time to read about how to paint a room than it might take to actually paint the room. When reading the Bible, it is easier to read about faith than to have faith and live a life of faith. We live in world that no longer trusts. Neighbors are suspicous of neighbors and many people fear just taking a walk in their own neighborhood. There once was a time when we trusted those in our neighborhood until they did something to have that trust taken away. We now live in a time when we do not trust those in our neighborhood, and trust is only given when neighbors take away all reasons to doubt. It is very backwards. In today's world there are some bad people and we must be careful to do nothing to put us in an unsafe place. In the end we can trust God to protect us. We can have faith that God will protect us when we take reasonbable steps to protect ourselves. The disconnect between an academic knowledge of the Bible and faith is so huge, that it prompted Jesus to ask a rhetorical question during his earthly ministry.

Luke 18:8
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Immediately following the Faith Chapter are a few additional verses that were put into chapter 12 of Hebrews, and these verses give us insight into how we need to focus our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

As we live our lives, we are surrounded by these great people from the Bible, and we have only read about them. To get to the finish line, we need to let go of all that weighs us down, including sin, and we must be patient looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It was Jesus who began us on our journey of faith, and if we allow faith to take hold in us, Jesus will help us complete our race of faith.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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