Understanding faith
The word faith is tossed around so frequently that it is difficult to describe its meaning. Some seem to think of it as mere mental assent. God clearly wants his people to be faithful, but is it more than an intellectual process? The writer to early Hebrew converts helps us understand.
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 A.S.V.). It appears the King James translators got the full meaning of the word “substance” from the rest of the chapter. They said that faith is the substance of things hoped for and, to the man of faith, it is like a substance that can be grasped. Similarly, the word “conviction,” which suggests something based on firm evidence, presents the fuller meaning of the word translated “evidence” in the King James. Notice, the “elders,” or people of older times, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, etc., received a good report from God by exhibiting faith. Men who trust in God know how the worlds came into existence through faith. By it, such men also know this earth was made out of nothing. All that was created came from God. God spoke everything into existence (Hebrews 11:2-3).
The faith of Abel is seen through his actions (Genesis 4:3-5; 1 John 3:11-12). Since Paul says faith comes by hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17), it is clear that Abel was obedient to God’s command. Milligan believes it was this obedient attitude which made Abel’s sacrifice a better one (1 Samuel 15:22), causing him, in the words of Milligan, to act “strictly in compliance with the will of God.” It was through that faith that Abel obtained his witness and God acknowledged that faith. Abel still speaks today through his example of faith (Hebrews 11:4).
Enoch is spoken of in Genesis 5:21-24 and Jude 14-16. Genesis says that “God took him.” Coupled with Hebrews 11:5, it would appear that he was translated to heaven much as Elijah was (2 Kings 2:1-12). Enoch did not have to experience death as other men do, but was taken up from the earth, not to be found on it any longer. God could testify to the fact that Enoch had pleased him. One must believe, or have faith, in God before he can set out to please Him. I would not obey someone who was not my superior or someone that I did not think deserved my obedience. One would simply not obey God if he did not believe in Him. Also, our coming to God is based on our belief in his promises of a reward, as will be demonstrated by constant obedience (Hebrews 11:6; John 14:1-6).
The story of Noah is found in Genesis 5:32-8:22. The inspired penman points out that Noah’s faith caused him to act as God told him to and build an ark. There was no sign at that time that there would be a flood. In fact, there is no Biblical evidence that there had ever even been any rain. By his actions of trust, or faith, in God, Noah saved his household. By those same actions, he condemned a world that did not believe God’s word. Noah preached during the time of the construction of the ark, but no one in the world would heed his warning. Noah also became the “heir of the righteousness” through his actions of faith (Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 9:8-17).
There certainly is more to faith. May these words serve to cause us to think more seriously about the faith God requires.
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