Based on Hebrews 11:30 – 12:2 (New King James Version)
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked 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, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, 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 mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Billy Graham once said: “The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” Many people find important the concept of faith and use it for many things. They believe that faith is essential to succeed in life. Many motivational speakers tell you that you need to have faith in yourself so you are able to reach your goals, or make yourself happy. Strong management people train people to set various milestones and goals, thereby exercising their faith in a system or practice to achieve them. There are those that teach you to have faith in people, in ideologies, etc.
What makes these concepts very attractive to many people is because everyone would like to achieve their own personal goals. And what probably causes even more attraction is that some people seem to have found the answer to get what they want. Many books are sold. Television shows and interviews occur all the time with people that seem successful. Some people seem to reach all their goals and objectives and lead an “enviable” life, and a lot of people want to know what they did to get there.
There are those that consider themselves religious or spiritual that teach a lot about faith as well, and how properly grown or exercised faith allows you to accomplish many things. Those that are more charismatic will teach you that proper faith will allow you to cause miracles to happen, enjoy perfect health, and of course, financial prosperity. They paint a picture of heaven being possible here on earth. But, despite the many uses that people have found for faith, we should try to understand what real faith is (because there are so many opinions about it); at least, what is it that God says about it. And I guess the greater question is: does faith produce success?
Regarding the definition of faith, the Bible tells us this: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. The Bible tells us that faith is essential. For it says: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. One of the main examples that we have of faith in the Bible is Abraham, for he is known as the father of faith. The Bible mentions this about Abraham: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10.
Is faith a vehicle to achieve what we want? Biblically speaking, no it is not. We read that many incredible things happened because of the strong faith that many had in the Bible. But we also read (as in today’s passage), that many did not receive the promise here on earth. They actually had a pretty hard life. So, we see that faith is something much different than what many think it is, even as compared to those that would consider themselves “spiritual” teachers. We understand through the various Bible passages that faith should be placed on God. And that our belief should be strong enough in God that we should obey God tells us to do. So, we can define Biblical faith as this: It is a personal relationship with God that allows for believing without any reservations, putting your whole self in God, and doing what He tells you to do; whether you understand or not, and whether things turn out great or not. Obedience is the fruit of true faith in God. Because if there is no obedience to the Word of God, then there is no faith, at least the way we can see it in the Bible. All the examples of faith that we see in the Bible obeyed God.
Some people may get what they want here on earth, achieving their personal goals and desires, acquiring some measure of human success. But, that is all they will get. You also may need to be careful with what you want because it may not be God that is giving it to you. Satan loves to help people follow the way of error. But when we exercise true Biblical faith, we are allowing for God’s infinite wisdom to be realized in our lives. And in that, we must bear this in mind: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:7-9.
So, are you exercising a very limited and carnal approach to faith, or are you living the faith that yields incredible things that transcends this very temporal world? Does your faith consist in obeying God, or trying to get God to obey you? Lord bless! John