Lighthouse scribes

Faith is not abstract.

Faith is not conjured.

Faith is not just a peace within.

Faith is more, and the various bible translations do not leave us in doubt as to what faith is.

Amplified tells us that it’s an assurance, like a title deed; it is a confirmation of things divinely guaranteed. NLT says it shows us the reality; that is the state of existence or actuality. GNT states that faith is to be sure, and NKJV calls it the substance, implying that it is tangible, with a solid presence, and the evidence, that is, the proof. 

Verse 1 of Hebrews 11 alone tells us that faith is not conjured within us by our own selves to obtain what we want from God. I know that simple and wrong teachings tell us that once we want it and ask for it, we just have to believe, and that’s that, and we may have even quoted John 14:14 as one of few scriptures to justify this take. If read in context, we’d understand that asking in Jesus’ name means in alignment with His will. Look at it this way: you’re an ambassador of a nation, and everything you do in the name of your nation is in fitting with the will of the nation you represent. Even if you are asking to buy a new official car, it’s not simply because you want to fulfil your desires, but in fulfilling your responsibilities as a representative. Being a Christian is being an ambassador that is always on the job. We do not have a personal life that is separate from our ambassadorial roles. So, we know that faith is not, ‘I desire it, I ask for it, I say I believe’. We also know that saying ‘God willing’ isn’t cliche, but living in His will (by faith).

Faith is from God (Romans 10:17), and many in the Bible knew this (Luke 17:5, Mark 9:24, Luke 22:32). Faith is received when we study the word and when we ask God for it (1 Cor 12:31). Faith is how we received salvation. Faith is our confident trust while experiencing hopeless situations. We have faith (as a substance) when we have received from God that what we have prayed and hoped for has been done, even when there isn’t yet a physical manifestation. Faith precedes physical existence.

When we receive faith from God, like the men and women of the Bible, God expects us to accept and project it. We no longer hope to have what we have received by faith. No, we live like we have it because faith says we do.

By Faith;

We understand (and believe) the story of creation, v. 3.

Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice (than Cain), and his exemplary life of faith still speaks to us.

Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying. By faith, Enoch pleased God.

We please God. The Bible tells us that anyone who comes to God must first believe that He exists, and He rewards those who sincerely seek him. As it was with Abraham, so it is to us; God is our exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1), and when we seek him sincerely, we will find him.

The men and women of old showed examples of their faith in God by their fellowship (Enoch) and obedience (Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah). They trusted God on matters of things that had never happened before on earth. This is another evidence that faith is not man-made. These men and women trusted God, so that when He made promises to them, they believed Him and received faith for things that had never before happened.

V13. The thing that blows my mind the most was the depth of the relationship these men and women had with God so that they fully understood God’s promises in light of eternity. They knew that the promises were bigger than them and that they were only a part of God’s story to bring us into eternal life.

Hebrews 11:15-16 NCV

[15] If they had been thinking about the country they had left, they could have gone back. [16] But they were waiting for a better country—a heavenly country. So God is not ashamed to be called their God because he has prepared a city for them.

Nothing beats living for eternity. The patriarchs got it. They understood the promises of God so that no past or present comfort or glory could distract them from what God had shown them. They had a ‘God or nothing’ approach to living that was evident to everyone so much so that the Bible tells us that God wasn’t ashamed to be called their God. When we live a life of faith and obedience to God, we know that God feels the same way about us, too, because He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Osi. 

From v.17, we see more examples of faith recorded in the Bible.

Faith in God’s promises, v. 24.

Faith even when faced with the loss of something God had given, v. 19.

Faith for the future, v. 20-21.

Faith in the redemption of God, v. 22.

Faith even when its works could bring physical death, v. 23. 

Faith in the miraculous, v. 29.

Faith to follow God’s instructions, v. 30.

Faith in God, v. 31.

By faith, those who followed God subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained blessings, closed the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. They were strengthened in their weaknesses, put strong armies to flight, and received loved ones back to life. All sounds like a happy ending. Then we read that some were tortured, jeered at, beaten, jailed, sawed in half, stoned to death, killed with swords, and became destitute, oppressed, and maltreated. The common factor for both sets of people was their faith in God. Faith doesn’t manipulate God to fit into our plans. Faith puts us exactly where God wants us to be in His story. This whole life is about God’s story, and faith is how we take our role as is written in the volume of the books.

This (is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt in life.

If we live by faith, we rest in God. I hope that as you take the time to read Hebrews 11, your eyes will see, and God’s word will bear fruit in you. Amen.

Love,

Osi

P.S. We praise Jochebed for her faith, and ignore the fact that both parents were commended in v. 23. Their joint effort is a reminder of the importance of unity in our homes. Unity becomes easy when we are all following Jesus on every matter.