By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-2 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Hebrews Chapter 11 is called the faith chapter. It lists one man or woman after another starting with Abel, Adam and Eve's son, to the falling of the walls of Jericho and the faith that Joshua had to carry out the sequence of events, ordered by God, to bring down those walls with no more than trumpets and shouts. It even names the faith of a prostitute turned believer.

Verses 32-35 of Hebrews tell us that the list could go on, but there would not be enough time to speak of all the others. I can't imagine how many would be on that list today! But verses 35b through 39 that are even more powerful.

Briefly it states that others were tortured, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, slain, were destitute, afflicted and tormented. They simple believed there was an all powerful God. Verses 39 and 40 are gripping: And all these, having obtained a good testimony  through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Did not receive the promise? What's that? I would probably have capitalized the word promise. These people were Old Testament individuals. They did not know about Christ other than they'd repeatedly been told there was a coming Messiah whom they did not see in their lifetimes. These Old Testament people had faith in God that there was something better because He promised it and they held to belief in something--better yet--Someone--who was yet unseen to them.  They had God's testimony that their lives were eternally secure. That was good enough. That was faith.

In the New Testament that Promise became reality. Some dared believe that He was the Messiah they'd heard about. Yet He was crucified, dead, buried and risen from the dead. They continued to believe. What must they have thought? And today? We have not seen Him like they did 2,000 years ago but the good testimony has been passed down.

There's a question that is asked frequently:  Why would the Disciples and Apostles and followers of Christ allow themselves to go through torture and/or death if Jesus was not who He said He was?? They all saw Him, walked with Him, talked with Him. Somehow they knew in their hearts and spirits He was all He claimed to be. And they were not willing to compromise their beliefs. That's faith, people. Would you intentionally go through persecution or death for someone you didn't believe in? Today our faith could even be considered more difficult. That's what He's calling us to do. He WILL return and we need to have faith in that. 

What will you believe? Will you deny Christ today to save your earthly life or do you desire eternal life in Christ? Will you believe the people who say the world will end in 2012? God tells us no one knows the day or time except Him (Matthew 24:36). If we do not know the day or time, shouldn't we be prepared now? Our day might be today or tomorrow or years from now. If you believe the end is 2012, what's the most important thing you would do? I've heard some say, "party, party, party, live it up now." 

Throughout the 2,000 years since Christ died, there has always been a remnant of people who pass on the truth of who Jesus was, is and will be. Some are scoffed, some are turned away, some are even killed for their faith. Having a relationship with God is knowing that you may be turned away and there will still be trials in this world. But Jesus has overcome all this. Asking Him into your life and knowing your eternal security through Him is the most important thing a person can do. 

Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.