Hebrews 11:1-3 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
To understand the subject of having an “Urgency to living by faith” we must first define the word ‘living’. Living is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “the state of existing; alive; having life; or simply not dead”. The Bible defines ‘living’ in John 11 in analyzing the situation of Lazarus of Bethany. In verse 14 we read “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” And then in verses 43-44 “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” Praise the Lord that God is not subject to man’s definitions but rather we should be subject to His.
Secondly Let us define faith. Faith is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “belief, trust, unquestioning trust, anything believed”. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1-2 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.” By this definition I must ask you today what EXACTLY it is you hope for? Are you hoping to get rich? Hoping to find Mr/Mrs wonderful? Hoping to be the boss one day soon? Hoping to stay healthy? How does this compare to what the Bible says we are to be hoping for?
Thirdly let us define holy living. There is an urgency to this subject matter in that now that we have context of what it is to live and what it is to have faith, we must now answer for how God would have us to handle this, and we must do so with the knowledge that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The reality of how you answered those questions above is that faith in anything but God will still result in your ‘living by faith’ as you are living by the faith of whatever you are hoping for. If you are hoping to get rich then your very definition of success, and as a result peace, is based on seeing that hope fulfilled.
Hebrews 3:12-19 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”
An evil report was given back in Numbers. The nation of Israel had seen wondrous signs and had been the recipients of great miracles by the grace of God and yet an evil report was given. What was worse is that this evil report was accepted by the multitude. Living with the hope of having sweet water at every rest, maybe one day having the meat and seasonings again that their flesh remembered from Egypt many of the nation had set their hopes and expectations on fulfilling the flesh rather than coming out from Egypt to worship the one true God. Was God not forthcoming in His purposes for the nation? How could they come to such conclusions?
Exodus 3:11-12 “And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”
Has God through His holy Word not been as forthcoming with us? Yet so many have strayed from Holy living. So many have forsaken the concept of living by faith. Those questions I asked earlier in this article--I’m sure most of us responded in our minds “well of course that’s not my ONLY goal but it would be nice right?” How many idols did God say He would permit for us to have? Santa, tree, presents, money, alcohol, self-fulfillment, big house, big boat, big car? The answer is NONE!
Looking back at 2020 during the pandemic known as Covid-19, the “year of essentials” as it was deemed here in America…kids, jobs, toilet paper, all of the political drama one could ever hope for--what did God show us that year? Has He enabled for you to see that you can survive all of this on your own? Has He brought you closer to the church? Closer to your pastor and/or your loved ones? Hebrews 11:3 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed [or made perfect] by the word of God [Jesus], so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” By faith Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice. By faith Enoch walked so close with God that it pleased Him and he just kept right on walking! By faith Noah didn’t become some “zoo-whisperer” but became the heir of righteousness. By faith Abraham became the father of a nation “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10).
“Those who are not sustained by faith soon weary of holiness and provoke the Lord.” Charles Spurgeon
For us to truly live by faith we too shall die, possibly to never have received the fulfillment of all the promises God has made unto us through Christ, but we will have seen them afar off and will have been persuaded of them. As a result we will truly have embraced them and confessed to all the world that we are strangers and pilgrims here. We should declare plainly beloved that we seek a country—"a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called [our] God: for He hath prepared for [us] a city.” (Hebrews 11:16)
The remainder of Hebrews 11 is a great blessing indeed as it shows us some of the trials these heroes of faith experienced. Were they heroes because they proved their persecutors wrong? Heroes because they got the last word in the conversation? No. Beloved they were heroes of the faith because they never lost sight of the hope they were living for. Their hope was not in their own abilities but in God’s. What great trial lies before us that is harder to overcome than what we see in verses 29-38? Hebrews 11:29-38 “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”
What is the urgency to living by faith dear reader? That the Lord might teach us contentment and dependency upon Him. Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Savior you cannot live by this type of faith. You will get as far as your money, looks and pride can take you in this life…and that’s where it will end. You will perhaps accomplish great things in this life in regard to your self-fulfillment but your eternal reward will be that of misery and suffering. In hell you will no longer desire such petty things as sports cars, fame and fortune—"just a drop of water, please”—"please go warn my families and preach to them the Gospel of Jesus”--you will still be living by that same faith you took to your grave, for all eternity.
Believe on Jesus dear friend. Believe on the One who saw fit to take on the eternal judgment for my sins. The One who stands ever-ready as my intercessor.
I pray the Lord has given you questions this day and if He has trust beloved that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”