Day 17: Faith

Hebrews 11:1-31 recollects some Old Testament events and the men/women of faith who lived them. Take a moment to read that passage. There is a fairly consistent pattern. By faith they did…they offered sacrifice, constructed, obeyed, sojourned, declared blessing, resisted evil authority, took huge risk, conquered…suffered, and some died. I only note two exceptions in the list, specifically, Enoch was taken up and Abraham received children. Hang on to those for later. If the pattern is really, “by faith they did,” then I must conclude that faith is exactly “hope” as defined by modern psychology. But, I know biblically that faith and hope are different because they are listed separately in multiple scriptures (1 Cor 13:13, 1 Th 5:8, 1Th 1:3, Col 1:5). Most significantly in Hebrews 11:1 itself:

Heb 11:1: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. (NET)

Because the inspired word of God cannot contradict itself, I must be missing something. Remember, hope is the coupled beliefs that positive outcomes are possible and acting can make it happen. Is Hebrews chapter 11 really a list of things people did because of their faith that they would be successful in those activities? Not according to the summary verses 39-40.

Heb 11:39: And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. 40 For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us. (NET)

The pattern is certainly “by faith they did.” But, the object of their faith wasn't “success in an undertaking.” The object of faith was always the one “making a promise.” In each case, they had faith that God was trustworthy. In each case God was promising to intervene in our desperate situation. They were all small parts of the big picture. Namely, reconciling us to God through Christ's death and resurrection. This is the “something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.” Before Christ, it was only a promise. Now, it's a reality in Christ.

By faith we understand (as in Heb 11:3) that Christ died for our sins. We are confident that His sacrifice is enough. But, only when we act are we expressing the “living hope” we have been born into through Christ's resurrection (1 Pet 1:3). This “living hope” believes that every time we die to self (John 12:24), even in little ways, we will see the resurrection power in our lives (Phi 3:10) and be glorified with Him [Christ] (Rom 8:17) and honored by the Father (John 12:26).

What is the next thing you plan to do by faith...something only God can do through you?

Faith and Hope are closely related to each other, but remain two very distinct concepts. They both concern beliefs. Faith is the broad confidence that one's beliefs are true (with or without evidence to support the belief). Integral to our Christian faith is the confidence that a blessed future has already been secured “in Christ.” Hope is the specific belief that the future holds possibilities and that my actions today help bring favorable results in the future. Is the difference clear? Both can be great facilitators of “action.” But, they are only functional synonyms if one's theological belief includes “I must work to secure a blessed future for myself.” To be hopeful (beyond simply being wishful), one must invest toward their priorities. But, let's look at what scripture says about faith and “action” for a moment.

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