Subject: What is the "Force of Faith"? |
Bible Note: Greetings Graceful! I notice that you left out the verses about those who were tortured, flogged, stoned, and sawn in two by faith! ;-) Here is my take on this chapter. I think that the WOF teachers miss out on the real meaning of the chapter because of their attempt to force a definition which does not fit. What do I mean? Of course, there were people who saw great miracles in their lives. But, this is the not focus of the chapter. The focus of the chapter is that they had faith in a promise which they never received. Because of that faith, they were obedient to God, trusted God, took chances for God, and never looked back. Yet, v. 13 and v. 39 tells us that they never received the promise in this life. Here is the difference I see between Biblical faith and WOF faith. Biblical faith is God centered. Biblical faith says I trust God no matter what the circumstances. Even if I must suffer for Him, I will do so because I know that He is faithful and I trust Him. This kind of faith lasts regardless of the circumstances. WOF faith is man centered. WOF faith seeks what man wants. WOF faith fails in the promise is not received. I have seen this firsthand in the lives of families who had bought into this particular teaching. But, because of the forced meaning, WOF teachers never seem to get the real meaning of Heb. 11. The context of Heb. 11 is not, 'How to get things from God'. Rather, the context is, 'How to live for God'. Look at the verses leading up to chapter 11. Heb. 10:38 - "But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.' 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." These were people who were commended for trusting God and living obediently for Him, even though they never received the promise in this life. Some had great victories, but many were put to death and suffered greatly. But, they all pressed on because, by faith, the promise was more real than reality. It is a subtle but profound difference. Now, the reason I disagree about faith producing reality is simple. Look at the tenses of the verbs in Heb. 11:1. 'Hoped for' and 'not seen' are both Present, Passive, Participles. The verse is not saying that we hope for something and then get it by faith. It is saying that those things that we are hoping for and not seeing are as real as if a contract has been signed. We haven't received them yet, nor do we see them, but we will receive the promise at some point. But, like those in Heb. 11, we may not receive it even in this life. Well, I have to go my friend! I look forward to hearing from you more. Let me encourage you to pray about this subtle difference. I believe that God answers prayer. I believe that God heals. I believe that God would do much more if we would ask Him to do so. But, I also know from both Scripture and experience that true faith is the faith that trusts God even when life doesn't go the way you want. :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |