“And such were some of you…” 1 Corinthians 6:11
Dear Ones:
In the book of Hebrews, we find in chapter eleven, what some call the “Hall of Faith.” In the list of persons mentioned there, we do not find a single perfect person, except the Lord Jesus. What we do find is a broad spectrum of very different people, existing at different times in history, who were bound by a single, common thread. That thread was, and is, true faith in God. Beginning with Abel, and continuing through the naming of the prophet Samuel, both men and women are mentioned. How can the issue of true faith characterize them all, in such different circumstances? The answer is found in the definition of true faith, and the discovery of where that faith comes from.
In the beginning of this chapter of faith, we discover how important true faith is to God. “But without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him.” (v.6) Why is this so? Why is faith so essential to please God? The first reason has its basis in the very character and nature of God. There is nothing so “right” as the call and commitment to trust the eternal God, who is unchanging, graciously benevolent, and good. He is perfectly and absolutely faithful, there being no sin, fault, or even blemish, in Him. This is born out in His dealings with fallen man, especially with regard to His Son whom He gave to die for the sins of man. His righteousness and love have been, and continue to be, manifested in the very overwhelming demonstration of such love on Calvary. There is a second reason for which true faith pleases God, and it has to do with Him dwelling in unapproachable light. God told Moses that no man could see His face and live. Why? It is too much to grasp. The overwhelming power, and all-consuming fire of His holiness, cannot be endured by fallen man. So, how is man, with feet of clay, and so very limited in his capacity to grasp something of the Divine, know this God? It is not with the sight of his eyes, but by a given faith, or trust in his heart. It is as man truly trusts God, that God reveals Himself to him. It is in the deep recesses of the heart that God becomes a reality to the one who demonstrates that trust, not only by worshiping God, but by serving him.
In this list of believers mentioned above, we find that in coming to God, they all believed that He truly existed, and could be sought and found. This is one of the most extraordinary characteristics of true faith, to come to God, believing that He will receive us. Not only does true faith believe in the approachableness of God, but in the definite interaction with God, and His delight to reveal Himself to the heart, and in the life. The author of Hebrews writes that in coming to God, true faith is characterized by believing that God “…is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (11:6) It is wonderfully amazing that God loves us so much that He would give His Son to die to save us. It is also amazing that this same God, Creator and Redeemer, holy, dwelling in unapproachable light, calls us to come believing, praying, and receiving His blessing, and intervention in the life.
How does this life of faith work? How did all of these men and women of faith practically believe, or trust God? Again, common to all of them was the revelation of God by His word. His word, revealed both in commandments and promises, was the basis and means by which they trusted God. These believers all “looked unto Jesus,” believed in Him according to the revelation of Him to the heart. They perceived, or saw Him, who was invisible. With the revelation of God to the heart came a conviction that was greater than what they saw in opposition to faith, but which was essential in truly believing that God was, and a true Rewarder.
Dear Father, Teach us to believe Thee, receiving all from Christ, for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad