The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has often been called the biblical "Hall of Faith." Certainly it does present an informative discussion of what constitutes genuine belief. Note the following points.
Faith Is Rational
By faith we “understand” that
the universe is not self-existent; rather, it was designed by the Creator (Heb. 11:3). The notion that one cannot be intelligent without being anti-religious is a
myth propagated by those who hate God. Logic and faith are companions.
Faith Depends upon Revelation
God has, in history, “borne
witness,” “warned,” “called,” etc. (Heb. 11:4,5,7,8). Man does not intuitively know
how to serve God. The Lord has spoken (Heb. 1:1), and, in the final analysis,
that revelation is embodied in the Holy Scriptures.
Faith Involves Trusting Our
Maker
When Noah was warned of God,
though he had never seen a flood, he prepared the ark (Heb. 11:7). Abraham left
Chaldea “not knowing whether he went” (Heb. 11:8). Clearly, trusting the unseen God
is a vital component of true faith.
Faith Is an Action Word
Whereas many seem to entertain
the notion that faith is merely a mental conviction, this chapter reveals that
faith, in order to be valid, must act. By faith Abel “offered” a sacrifice (Heb. 11:4), Noah “prepared” an ark (Heb. 11:7), and Abraham “obeyed” the Lord (Heb. 11.:8). Faith,
divorced from obedience, is dead (Jas. 2:26).
Faith Discriminates
It chooses the spiritual over
the material, the eternal over the temporal. Moses chose heavenly riches over
the treasures of Egypt (Heb 11:26).
Thus, somewhere in your margin write: The nature of true faith. Then, under that, list the five components outlined (and italicized) above, and the verse numbers appropriate to each of them.
Thus, somewhere in your margin write: The nature of true faith. Then, under that, list the five components outlined (and italicized) above, and the verse numbers appropriate to each of them.
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