By Faith...

Have you ever read and paid close attention to the faith chapter in the Bible?

Let's start in v3 of Hebrews 11. 

"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." (Hebrews 11:3, NIV)

Now, let's look at v4.

"By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead."  (Hebrews 11:4, NIV)

Next, check out v5.

"By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God."  (Hebrews 11:5, NIV)

Let's skip down to v7.

"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith."  (Hebrews 11:7, NIV)

Then, pick up with v8-10.

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."  (Hebrews 11:8-10, NIV)

Lastly, look at v11-12.

"And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.   And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore."  (Hebrews 11:11-12, NIV)

Let's recap.  So far in this chapter---we understand that the universe was formed at God's command by faith; Abel brought God a better sacrifice and was commended for it by faith; Enoch was commended, didn't experience death, and was taken from this life by faith; Noah built an ark, saved his family, and condemned the world by faith; Abraham went to a strange land, lived in tents, and made his home in the promised land by faith; and Sarah was enabled to bear children past childbearing age by faith.

You can finish reading the rest of this chapter on your own---picking up in v17-31.

Did you notice...?  Everything in God's kingdom is accomplished 'by faith'.  What are you now doing by faith?

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)

"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."  (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.