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PERFECT
FAITH
Hebrews
11:1-40
Vs.1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see.”
Just as vision is one of the
five physical senses that gives us evidence of the world we live in,
faith is the sense that gives us confidence in the unseen spiritual
realm. Hebrews 11 is known as the Hall of Faith and lists the giants of
faith, spanning from creation to the time of the early Christians. It
becomes clear that faith is not merely a belief but the willingness to
trust and cling to the Author of our faith. Faith is a gift from the
Creator but it is paradoxical in that it requires an action on the part
of the recipient to be manifest. Faith moved Abel to worship God; he
worshiped Him by offering Him his best. Faith led Enoch to walk with God;
a walk that pleased God so much that He took him with Him “.. He rewards
those who earnestly seek him.” (Verse 6)Faith urged Noah to work for God;
he took action by faith and built an ark at the risk of ridicule by those
around him.
Faith guided Abraham to
journey with God; he stepped out in faith and traveled to a new land that
God had promised him. Yet Abraham, as well as his heirs, Isaac and Jacob,
continued to live in tents as they would in a foreign land, while they
“looked forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder
is God.”(Verse 10)
The chapter goes on to
describe the many heroes of faith who endured hardships and even lost
their lives. The faithful are therefore not to look for a reward here on
Earth as Christian faith will experience both hardships and victories but
will not be defeated even by death. Difficulties are not an indication of
lack of faith “but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know
that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and
character, hope.”(Romans 5:3-4)
True faith is therefore
confident obedience to God’s Word and His will in spite of
circumstances. We are also reminded that we are not permanent
residents of this world but just “passing through”. Our focus should be
on the Perfected of our Faith.
“Hasten on from grace to
glory, Armed by faith and winged by prayer. Heav’n’s eternal days before
me, God’s own hand shall guide me there. Soon shall close my earthly
mission, Swift shall pass my pilgrim days; Hope shall change to glad
fruition, Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.”
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that you would
grow in faith from day to day so that we may worship you more fully, walk
with you more closely and work for you more earnestly. Thank you for
reminding us that we are pilgrims in this land. Continue to be our guide
as we journey on to the beautiful home you have prepared for us so that
our faith may one day turn to sight. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
True faith is confident obedience to God.
Christian
Education Forum
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