Faith in Action

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith (persuasion, moral conviction) is the substance (support) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen.

Our English language is made up of numerous abstract terms, i.e. love, hope, faith, trust, grace, that have no concrete meaning other than how we as individuals define them. Their meanings vary depending on each person’s experiences.

The Hebrew language, on the other hand, is made up of concrete terminology and it’s definitions are well-defined and built on a solid foundation. For instance, let’s take the word “faith”. We tend to think of faith only in terms of belief. When we read in a modern English bible that we are saved by grace through faith, we think strictly in terms of the mind. We tend to think that our salvation is secured by a belief system, an acceptance of Christ as our savior.

For the patriarchs of old, faith was far more than that. In their language, faith was something tangible, evidenced by action. Faith was proved by how they lived their lives. Remember James’ words in James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “faith” chapter. It catalogs a list of some of the greatest believers of all time. They all have one thing in common. Their faith was witnessed by their actions.

Heb 11:4 By faith Abel OFFERED unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, MOVED with fear, PREPARED an ark to the saving of his house.

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, OBEYED.

Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, OFFERED up Isaac.

We learn of Moses, Joseph, Sarah, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, Rahab, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Hebrews 11:33-34 tells us these are those who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought 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, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Others were tortured for their faith and some gave up their very lives. Their assurance of the future resurrection and the world to come, resulted in lives lived in anticipation of the glory that awaited them.

Heb 11:35-40 “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

These all died and are at rest until the day of the Lord, the day in which our savior will return for his saints, both living and dead. Perfection is the reward of those from all ages who have put their faith in the Lord and have obtained a “good report” through faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”.

We each have our own race to run, even as these had theirs. Their example lives today for us, that we might follow in their footsteps. We also have the example of our savior who gave himself for us. He certainly exemplified faith in that he put his eternal life on the line for our salvation. From the very foundation of the world, he looked far into the future and determined that, through mankind, he would bring forth children for the kingdom, that he would share his glory with us on into eternity. We can certainly see that his faith (persuasion, moral conviction) was the substance (support) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen.