December 13 - Hebrews 11-13
After reading this passage, is there any doubt in your mind about the importance of faith? Is it totally clear that faith is something people exercise and not something mandated by God? Isn't it awesome to see the results of faith in the Old Testament? Isn't it challenging to think about what we should be doing in faith today? I believe that all of these things come through loud and clear as we read these three chapters. How is your faith today? Are you trusting God or someone or something else? The only way to receive the promises of God is "by faith." That is why we must all pay attention to our faith all the time.
Consider Hebrews 11:6. It is impossible to please God, if we don't trust Him. When we do trust Him, He rewards us. Sarah had Issac after she had faith in God. (v.11) Abraham was able to obey God, even if it meant killing Isaac, because of his faith. (v.19) The walls of Jericho fell only after faith was exercised. (v.30) I could go on and on, as the author of Hebrews says. (v.32) The evidence is overwhelming that God responds to our faith. Therefore, in the face of these witnesses we must have faith in Christ and see God's blessings today. (12:1) After all, now we have the greatest example of faith, Jesus Christ and His death for us on the cross. (12:2) That one act should inspire our faith each day we live. Can you see the witness to faith here? Can you hear the admonition to trust Jesus for salvation and for every day?
Then, read the rest of the passage in that context. We should be living by faith today even more than the Old Testament believers. (12:9) There should be no falling short of the grace of God. (12:15) He is speaking to us from heaven, not just from a mountain. (12:25) Will we faithfully obey? Chapter 13 is a list of areas where we should exercise faith each day. I won't list them, but I urge you to consider each one as a modern day act of faith. If we do these things we are following in the footsteps of Moses and Abraham. If we don't, we are falling short of the grace of God, because we are trying to live by our own effort. God's goal for each of us as believers is that we become complete or mature. (13:21) This process of growth to maturity comes by living in faith each day and growing in faith.
Tomorrow, I intend to read James 1-5.
Consider Hebrews 11:6. It is impossible to please God, if we don't trust Him. When we do trust Him, He rewards us. Sarah had Issac after she had faith in God. (v.11) Abraham was able to obey God, even if it meant killing Isaac, because of his faith. (v.19) The walls of Jericho fell only after faith was exercised. (v.30) I could go on and on, as the author of Hebrews says. (v.32) The evidence is overwhelming that God responds to our faith. Therefore, in the face of these witnesses we must have faith in Christ and see God's blessings today. (12:1) After all, now we have the greatest example of faith, Jesus Christ and His death for us on the cross. (12:2) That one act should inspire our faith each day we live. Can you see the witness to faith here? Can you hear the admonition to trust Jesus for salvation and for every day?
Then, read the rest of the passage in that context. We should be living by faith today even more than the Old Testament believers. (12:9) There should be no falling short of the grace of God. (12:15) He is speaking to us from heaven, not just from a mountain. (12:25) Will we faithfully obey? Chapter 13 is a list of areas where we should exercise faith each day. I won't list them, but I urge you to consider each one as a modern day act of faith. If we do these things we are following in the footsteps of Moses and Abraham. If we don't, we are falling short of the grace of God, because we are trying to live by our own effort. God's goal for each of us as believers is that we become complete or mature. (13:21) This process of growth to maturity comes by living in faith each day and growing in faith.
Tomorrow, I intend to read James 1-5.