January 7, 2014 GAINING APPROVAL
Hebrews 11:1-2: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, men of old gained approval.” It may be difficult to define faith, but we know that “without faith it is impossible to please God” as we read in Hebrews 11:6. Faith is certainly a key theme in both the Old and New Testament and faith, or the lack of, is a determining factor in what we see taking place in the lives of those in scripture. Hebrews, chapter eleven, is known as the faith chapter and in this chapter we find numerous examples of faith that was evident in the lives of many Old Testament saints. Obviously, God places a great value on faith. Since faith is so crucial for believers, it’s a timely question to ask where does faith come from, or how does one have faith. Also, we might ask; do some believers have more faith than other believers, and if so, why? I don’t propose that I can answer these questions fully, but I would at least like to cause us to examine our own faith. Romans 10:17 is a foundational verse on faith: “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Faith is not something we can “muster” up in our own minds, but rather, faith is a result of something else. Faith is a result of “hearing the words of Christ” and thus, faith is a gift of God. This verse is not talking simply about hearing audible sounds of words, but by hearing and taking to heart what Christ has said, and is saying to us. I suspect that we may all be guilty at times of reading a section of scripture and five minutes later could not recite or recall what we just read. Jesus often would say: “Let those who have ears to hear, let them hear.” The obvious is that when we really hear, when we truly believe the words of Christ, faith comes as a result. Faith for the Christian is trusting God and all that He has done and said even though we cannot see Him with our physical eyes. Faith in God is what justifies us before God (Romans 5:1). You could put every person on earth into one of two groups: those that have faith in God and those that do not have faith in God. In my own life, my faith was greatly strengthened when God revealed in a very real way that He was my Father. When we in our innermost being, know that the Creator God is not only real, but He is our Father, faith in Him will be strong. It’s not enough to know in our mind only that He is our Father-we must know it at the core of our being. I believe that a key part of knowing Him as our Father is in hearing His invitation to “draw near to Him” because as we draw near to Him, He draws near to us! We have a loving Father who enjoys giving us good gifts and He will give us faith when we ask and when we follow His commandments-even His commandments are a good gift to us. God is looking for those whose faith is in Him. You could say that faith in God is the single, greatest issue in all of life. We live in a culture that is hostile to the gospel where there are many who not only deny the faith but openly oppose anything to do with God. Christians are branded as narrow minded, misguided, and Christians must be silenced- so the culture believes. However, the early believers also lived in a culture, including the religious culture, that was hostile to the gospel; nonetheless, their faith in the risen Lord “turned the world upside down.” Let us examine our own faith to make sure it is active and strong and let us not waiver in our faith in a living God who rules the universe-including those who oppose Him. God takes great pleasure in those who have faith in Him. We will face trials, but the trials are designed to prove our faith and to make us strong in the Lord. So, when difficult times come, rest assured that our God is faithful and be strong and be of good courage.
Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”
Hebrews 11:6: “And 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 seek Him.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Hebrews 11:1-2: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, men of old gained approval.” It may be difficult to define faith, but we know that “without faith it is impossible to please God” as we read in Hebrews 11:6. Faith is certainly a key theme in both the Old and New Testament and faith, or the lack of, is a determining factor in what we see taking place in the lives of those in scripture. Hebrews, chapter eleven, is known as the faith chapter and in this chapter we find numerous examples of faith that was evident in the lives of many Old Testament saints. Obviously, God places a great value on faith. Since faith is so crucial for believers, it’s a timely question to ask where does faith come from, or how does one have faith. Also, we might ask; do some believers have more faith than other believers, and if so, why? I don’t propose that I can answer these questions fully, but I would at least like to cause us to examine our own faith. Romans 10:17 is a foundational verse on faith: “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Faith is not something we can “muster” up in our own minds, but rather, faith is a result of something else. Faith is a result of “hearing the words of Christ” and thus, faith is a gift of God. This verse is not talking simply about hearing audible sounds of words, but by hearing and taking to heart what Christ has said, and is saying to us. I suspect that we may all be guilty at times of reading a section of scripture and five minutes later could not recite or recall what we just read. Jesus often would say: “Let those who have ears to hear, let them hear.” The obvious is that when we really hear, when we truly believe the words of Christ, faith comes as a result. Faith for the Christian is trusting God and all that He has done and said even though we cannot see Him with our physical eyes. Faith in God is what justifies us before God (Romans 5:1). You could put every person on earth into one of two groups: those that have faith in God and those that do not have faith in God. In my own life, my faith was greatly strengthened when God revealed in a very real way that He was my Father. When we in our innermost being, know that the Creator God is not only real, but He is our Father, faith in Him will be strong. It’s not enough to know in our mind only that He is our Father-we must know it at the core of our being. I believe that a key part of knowing Him as our Father is in hearing His invitation to “draw near to Him” because as we draw near to Him, He draws near to us! We have a loving Father who enjoys giving us good gifts and He will give us faith when we ask and when we follow His commandments-even His commandments are a good gift to us. God is looking for those whose faith is in Him. You could say that faith in God is the single, greatest issue in all of life. We live in a culture that is hostile to the gospel where there are many who not only deny the faith but openly oppose anything to do with God. Christians are branded as narrow minded, misguided, and Christians must be silenced- so the culture believes. However, the early believers also lived in a culture, including the religious culture, that was hostile to the gospel; nonetheless, their faith in the risen Lord “turned the world upside down.” Let us examine our own faith to make sure it is active and strong and let us not waiver in our faith in a living God who rules the universe-including those who oppose Him. God takes great pleasure in those who have faith in Him. We will face trials, but the trials are designed to prove our faith and to make us strong in the Lord. So, when difficult times come, rest assured that our God is faithful and be strong and be of good courage.
Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”
Hebrews 11:6: “And 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 seek Him.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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