Subject: release and faith |
Bible Note: Greetings Graceful! It is unfortunate my friend that so much of what Scripture has to say about faith is obscured by what so many are teaching about faith today. You are correct that Hebrews 11 details a list of people who did something as a result of their faith. Yet, notice the order. They acted because of their faith - faith was the basis of their actions. Hebrews 11 does not list anyone who 'claimed' what they wanted in a package of verbal seed and then received it. It lists people who had faith in a God they could not see and promises that had not yet received, yet acted in obedience anyway. To many have turned 'faith' into some sort of magical spell. 'Faith' is nothing more and nothing less than our trust or assurance in God. Allow me to illustrate. Let's suppose that you and I plan a trip to meet one another face to face. We e-mail back and forth and agree to meet half-way (where ever that is :-) ). I gas up my car and start driving. Have you arrived at the location yet? Do I know for a certainty that you will be there? No! But, I have faith that you will keep your word and act accordingly by doing my part. This is what faith is, the willingness and ability to act upon the promises of God - even though we have no concrete reason to do so. By faith, Noah built and ark even though it had not ever rained - v. 7. By faith, Abraham went to where he had never been before - v. 8. By faith, Joseph gave instruction concerning the future exodus of Israel - v. 22. The list goes on and on. None of these 'events' were produced by the faith of these individuals. The only thing that was 'released' was their obedience and willingness to act upon God's promises, even though they had no yet received the promises. But, their faith did not produce the fulfillment of the promises. God did that! What is being missed in these times is that goal of faith is not to get what we what, but to live in the way God wants. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |