Faith Illustrated: Hebrews 11
The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is certainty.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1, KJV
substance––essence; ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change
evidence––to be seen; something that furnishes proof
hypostasis: (Greek) the underlying, fundamental state or substance that supports all of reality
Faith is assurance, confidence, persistent hope in the promises of God vs. a vague blind hope without evidence to support.
The writer of Hebrews has put down in words how wonderful God is––He exists above and beyond, around and in the world He made––and that the people who live by faith are made right with God because of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews chapter 11 is the ultimate footnote to stories: Bible stories beginning with Creation and summaries of the stories of Old Testament saints who lived by faith describe Faith illustrated.
Written to Jews who had become Christians, these believers lived during the violent reign of Nero. Christians experienced harsh and intense persecution, torture, and execution.
The writer of Hebrews wrote to encourage these people to persevere BY FAITH, not to throw away their confidence in Jesus Christ because their faith will be richly rewarded by God. The writer’s words have likewise encouraged people since that time to live by faith in God’s word.
Unequivocally, Hebrews 11:6 states: “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
In chronological order, the author of Hebrews names names, starting with Abel, who showed how he believed God.
“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice …," which when you think about it, Abel was the very first person to walk by faith.
His parents, Adam and Eve, had actually walked with God in the Garden, so they knew God is real, and yet when tempted and tested, they trusted themselves more than they trusted what God said.
But Abel is commended by God for his faith, “And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead” (Hebrews 11:4).
A Personal Walk
Back when I lived in Pampa, TX, I memorized Hebrews chapter 11 while walking on the Nordic track in our basement. Memorization and meditation bring remarkable insight to words simply read and reread.
For example, what struck me in Hebrews 11:3 is the writer’s reference to Creation as the foundation of faith. It’s as if the writer says, Start here to exercise your faith.
“By faith, we understand that the world was created at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.”
Verbs. Present perfect passive verbs.
What IS seen WAS NOT made out of what IS visible.
The Bible states that nothing existed until God created the heavens and the earth. What you and I can see IS evidence of God’s power and majesty. What IS now visible WAS NOT made out of anything we can see.
In six days, God created everything perceived in the natural world, including man. And woman.
Since no human being was present to witness at the Beginning, because the Bible declares itself the very word of God, you and I can believe this account as accurate, if not detailed ––beginning to end.
How the world was made is not something man can figure out. Speculate, yes. Calculate infinitesimal tangential equations, okay. Know for certain, No way.
In fact, mankind does not want to know God––not the God revealed in the Bible––or believe the Creation account. What the Bible teaches places man subject to God as his Creator. Man wants to be his own boss.
““A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.””
Nothing has changed. Mankind continues to disregard God’s word, demanding further proof that what God says is true.
Who is responsible for what you don’t know?
In a Peanuts comic strip where Lucy leans on the piano while Schroeder plays Beethoven, Lucy says, “You didn’t tell me Beethoven was dead.”
“Why should I tell you something that everyone already knows?” “Besides, I didn’t think you were interested.”
“I’m not interested. I just hate feeling left out.”
In this brief exchange, Lucy tries to make Schroeder feel as if he is responsible for what she doesn’t know, while Schroeder assumed that Lucy already knew Beethoven was dead.
So, whose responsibility is it for you and me to know the Bible?
While it’s reasonable to assume that people who go to church have interest in what the Bible teaches, the Bible is massive, and daunting, and how is anyone supposed to know everything? OT History? The Prophet’s messages? The Gospels? Revelation?
The Bible leads to Jesus, yet the road is long and winding that leads to His door.
People don’t necessarily come to SS or church because they are interested in learning something or even expect to find help for living life. Like Lucy, sometimes people like you and me come because we hate feeling left out.
But to learn what the Bible has to say to us personally requires listening and interest and––repetition. Little by little, like seeds planted, some of the truth in the Bible finds a place in people’s hearts.
People can expect to live anemic Christian lives if they approach the Bible as an ordinary book. The wisdom and instruction for life that the Bible holds between its pages can never be exhausted. Yet the better you and I know the Bible, the more God can say to us. Personally and pointedly, much the same way a close friend can tell us the truth.
Because biblical truth is revealed, you and I cannot explore biblical territory too many times.
Hate Feeling Left Out?
As believers, you and I need the relationships and community as much as we need more information about the Bible. We need encouragement. Sometimes we need comfort. God designed human beings to relate to Him and to each other.
Read the Bible for yourself. The words are personal. Sealed with love.
The writer of Hebrews declares Faith IS . . . Hebrews 11:1–3
Faith is present tense. Faith applies to current events. Not a past decision. Not a Get out of Jail Free card.
Faith puts one foot in front of the other, trusting God, who you and I cannot see, because the Bible makes plain that people can know and trust God by believing His word.
In the beginning, did God create, as Genesis 1–2 records? In the beginning, was Jesus involved, as cited in John 1:1–3, 14? [1, see also these verses]
Faith is Something God commends people for having and for exercising. 11:2
Faith rests on the foundation of Creation11:3
Everything the Bible teaches rests on these foundations of Christian faith: God made the world and He made the WORD become flesh in Jesus Christ.
From the beginning, God’s plan revealed, word by word.
Before the parade passes us by:
As if peering through a knothole in a fence to see a parade go by, you and I can see how Hebrews chapter 11 consolidates and illuminates the entire Bible.
Again, Hebrews 11 is the ultimate, the principal footnote to stories in the Bible.
Next time, let’s continue to consider this important chapter, a footnote to the greatest story ever told.
[1] Psalm 90:2; Job 26:7–14; Psalm 104:5–8; Jeremiah 5:22–24
