Christianity doesn’t teach to have faith in faith, but to have faith in a personal God. This God has revealed His character in His covenant relationship with the Jewish people in Old Testament times, and has most fully revealed Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said to one of his disciples Philip: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus was claiming that he perfectly manifested the character of God in his person. There is a specific content to the object of the Christian’s faith.

The Hall of Fame of Faith

In Hebrews 11, we have a detailed list of people from the Old Testament who trusted God’s character and who believed God’s promises, and went on to accomplish great things for God. Even though God is invisible, these people believed God and His Word, and they saw Him work in a powerful and visible way.

For example, let’s look at Noah’s life: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Heb. 11:7). Noah was ridiculed when he was building his ark. But he had heard from God, and acted on what He told him to do. God also spoke to many people through Noah. Everyone had the opportunity to avail themselves of God’s saving mercy, but only a few believed the message of coming judgment through the flood.

Another example of living by faith in God was Moses. He was a Jew, but he was raised by the daughter of the Egyptian Pharaoh. By faith, he identified with the sufferings of his enslaved Jewish brethren. By faith, he believed in God’s promise of deliverance of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery. As a result, God powerfully worked through Moses’ leadership in the great Exodus (Heb. 11:24-28). Biblical faith consists of trusting a personal God, who has revealed Himself in actual historical events in the lives of real people. It is not something vague and nebulous like faith in faith.

This is what the Hebrews writer is trying to get his audience to understand. In the last 2 blogs, we have mentioned that the original recipients of the Hebrews Letter were Jewish Christians who were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus as their Messianic King. The Hebrews writer gives the examples of these Old Testament heroes of the faith to encourage these battle-weary believers to keep trusting the Lord and His promises. In Hebrews 10:35-36, these words were shared with them: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised”. God is trustworthy and His promises are trustworthy.

The Ways of God

In Hebrews 12, the writer then gives the example of Jesus to encourage his struggling brothers and sisters in the faith. They are to keep fixing their eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith. They are to “consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that (they) will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 11:2-3). He goes on to explain some of the ways of God with His people. The Lord sometimes uses difficulties and tribulations to discipline and grow His children (Heb. 12:4-9).

Every responsible human father disciplines their child out of love and for the long-term good of the child. They do it imperfectly, but it still produces beneficial fruit in the child’s life as they get older. God disciplines us also out of love and for our long-term good. He can be trusted even more than an earthly father because He is God: “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Heb. 12:10,11)”. It seems like the difficulties and tribulations that these Jewish Christians are going through are necessary for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in them.

This is what James teaches as well in his Letter. In James 1:2-4, we read these words: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” I think the wise person understands that trials and tribulations are part of life, and that as we learn to trust the Lord in them, He can accomplish some great things in our character, and through us in this world. We are to persevere in our lives, because God will reward His faithful servants (James 1:12). God’s character and God’s ways are good (James 1:13-18).

QOTD: Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, are you thankful, and are you worshiping God acceptably with reverence and awe (Heb. 12:28)?