Be a Hero!

Raymond Brown expresses well the value of Hebrews 11, We have now come to one of the most familiar chapters of the Bible. Even Christians who find some of the earlier teaching of this letter difficult to understand turn to this chapter for help, especially in times of crisis or when their own faith seems weak. And they do not go away disappointed. Many of us have probably quickly read through Hebrews 11:1-3 on our way to the list of the heroes of the faith in verses 4-38. We do ourselves a disservice by not slowing down and reading those three introductory verses.

The writer introduces this section by describing faith as that which keeps Christians from apostasy. Donald Hagner, This list of heroes is meant to provide the readers with strength and encouragement in their own difficult circumstances. According to our author, if there is a key to unlock the gate to effective Christian existence, it is to be found in the reality and the motivating power of faith.

What is it about faith that can turn mortal humans into heroes of the faith? We must never forget that the value of faith depends on whom or in what our faith is placed? Those Hebrews as well as each of us must never forget that the power of faith is not based on my strength or perseverance but on Jesus Christ in whom one must place faith in Him alone. Zane Hodges, . . . it is faith that underlies the experience of the heroes of Old Testament history. Since these people experienced faith, so could his readers.

Verses 1-3 are not necessarily a definition of faith but a description of faith. Raymond Brown, In this chapter, as elsewhere, faith is man’s response to what God has said. It takes seriously the message of God’s revealed truth in holy Scripture. It does not merely agree with God’s word, but acts upon it.

In these opening verses of chapter 11 we read that faith may be described by two words, assurance and conviction. Faith is demonstrated by the assurance of things hoped for and by the conviction of things not seen. There are differences of opinion concerning the proper understanding of these two words.

Some believe they have a subjective meaning but others emphasize an objective meaning. Subjectively, assurance is viewed as an inner certainty of things hoped for. Objectively, assurance is the basis or foundation of things hoped for. For conviction, the subjective meaning is an inner certainty of things not seen. Objectively, it is usually translated as evidence and means the action produced by faith which proves the reality of things not seen. I believe there is room for both. Faith is founded on fact but must be personally applied.

Those listed in the hall of faith had hope not controlled by sight but by assurance and confidence. William Barclay, It is easy to argue: ‘Why should I refuse the pleasure of the moment for an uncertain future?’ The Christian answer is that the future is not uncertain because it belongs to God; and it is enough that God has commanded and that God has promised. Raymond Brown, The ‘faithful’ characters arrayed in chapter 11 did not simply live for the passing moment; they realized that there was far more to life than the immediate and temporary scene.

Some things for which those Christians hoped for should be the same for us.

• Christ’s return, Titus 2:13, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory

of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ;

• Resurrection, 1 Peter 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;

• Glorification, 1 John 3:2, Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be

has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him,

because we shall see him as he is.

B. F. Westcott caught the essence of these 3 verses, . . . the future and the unseen can be made real by faith.

The writer of Hebrews gave an example of faith in things hoped for and of things not seen - creation. Douglas Mangum, At its most basic core, Christian faith is rooted in God as Creator. Everything that is now visible was once invisible. All that exists came into existence by the sovereign word of the Lord. The only way to understand these profound cosmic realities is by faith.

Such faith was and is commended by God. Faith starts with belief, moves to trust which results in obedience. The greatest moment we could ever imagine would be when we stand before God and He says to you and me, Well done, good and faithful servant.

J. Oswald Sanders, Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen. Join me in the study of God’s Word under the Books of the Bible tab. Let’s be encouraged by the faith of others as we seek to be faithful, as well.