The Definition of Faith
October 26, 2020
Commentary
This eleventh chapter of Hebrews is one of the best known chapters of the Bible on the subject of faith. Two words describe faith; confidence and certainty. These two words need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point is believing in God’s character; that He is who He says He is. The end point is believing in God’s promises; He will do what He says He will do.
The word “faith“ occurs twenty-one times as it focuses on what faith is and gives examples of the lives and labors of great men and women of faith found in the Old Testament. Faith is not positive thinking. It is not just a hunch to be followed hoping that everything will turn out all right. The first six verses of this chapter tell us what faith is. True Bible faith is “the substance, of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (v. 1). It is to a Christian what a foundation is to a house. It gives him confidence and assurance that what is promised will be experienced. It is a steady, confident belief that whenever and wherever God speaks He will do exactly what He has promised.
The best way to grow in faith is to walk with the faithful. Beginning with verse 4 we can see great examples of men and women who walked by faith. In each case you will find that God spoke to them through His Word; they were stirred to action; they obeyed God and He gives witness about them. Abel presented an animal sacrifice which was accepted, in contrast to Cain presenting the works of his hands (Gen. 4:1-5). Enoch walked with God in the wicked world before the flood, and at the age of sixty-five was transferred to heaven without seeing death (v. 5). (Gen. 5:24).
Application
What are some ways that my life has changed as a result of my faith in God? I hope there are many!
Hebrews 11:1– 6 (NET)
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. 2 For by it the people of old received God’s commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. 4 By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.