What Is Faith? (Hebrews 11)

I’ve been pondering something lately.

What is faith?

This is a super important question!

• What is saving faith, faith that gains eternal life? Nothing is more important than that, right?
• What do people mean when they say believers are “people of faith”? Is this just a politically-correct statement? I wonder, especially when all “peoples of faith” (Muslim, Catholic, Buddhist, Baptist) are lumped in together. Faith in what? in whom?
• What does Yeshua mean when He says my faith can move mountains? I’ve never moved a mountain.

This question is important because the list of dos and don’ts is increasing all the time in our churches. The culture around us is becoming increasingly immoral, and in response, the list of regulations is getting longer within our walls. Which rules show that I have faith in God? And what is church anyway? A “house of faith”?

Ay-yi-yi!

So what is faith?

First, I have made a commitment to return to God’s Word, the Bible, as my source of information about God and faith. Makes sense, right? If the Bible doesn’t have the answer, then why would I have “faith” in the God about which it writes? If the Bible isn’t totally true, then I certainly don’t see the sense in having “faith” in it! I’ve got better books to read with my time.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2 says,

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which YHVH God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHVH your God which I command you.”

God says to “listen” to the decrees and laws that He teaches us in His Word. I’m then to “keep” or guard them. Why?

1. So that I may live. This is rather important, if I’m to take God at His Word—to have “faith” in what He says. Does He really mean this? Should I take Him literally? Is death really the opposite of life? So, if I don’t have “faith” in what He says (His Word, the Bible), will I then die?
2. So that I may receive His promises. In this verse, He’s promising possession of a literal piece of real estate to the people of Israel. What other promises does He make in His Word? Which ones apply to me? If a promise applies to me, yet I don’t “guard” his “statutes and judgments” (found in the Bible), then will that promise not come true? And have I even read this book I have “faith” in, so that I know what these promises are? or what the commandments I’m supposed to follow are? And what will God’s response be when I fail? (I’m sure I will fail at some point, after all.)

Can you see why it’s terribly, urgently, life-shatteringly important to know what faith is? This is the most important question I could ever ask!

I have been reading the book of Hebrews, a book that doesn’t get near the attention it should from us women. It’s intensely practical! But this week, I just want to point you to Hebrews 11. You really should read it on your own sometime! In fact, my future posts won’t do you much good unless you do.

But reading through Hebrews 11 assumes that you have some basic biblical knowledge. It assumes that you’ve read the book of Genesis (referenced in Hebrews 11:1-22). It assumes you’ve read Exodus through Deuteronomy (referenced in Hebrews 11:23-29). It assumes you’ve read the book of Joshua (referenced in Hebrews 11:30-31). It assumes you’ve read the rest of the Old Testament, too (referenced in Hebrews 11:32-40).

In other words, it assumes you know your Scriptures! Do you? Have you read them? If not, resolve to get started. You can find a reading schedule here.

God defines faith, in Hebrews 11:1-2, like this:

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for” (NIV).

Who were these “ancients,” and why did God commend them? Do we really believe these “ancients” even existed? Do we believe they were actual historical figures, or do we relegate them to the realm of myth?

God says here that they were real people, truly living in history. And these verses say that we are to be “sure” and “certain” of it! If we aren’t sure, then it’s not faith!

Are you sure?

• Are you sure that “the universe was formed” by God (Hebrews 11:3)? Really, are you sure? When you watch television and hear that it happened over billions of years, which contradicts what God says in Genesis 1, that it took only 6, 24-hour, literal days, are you sure? Do you have faith that God is telling you the truth?
• Are you certain that a sacrifice is needed for sin (Hebrews 11:4)? Did you even know that this is taught in Genesis 3? Do you know what that sacrifice is and how God wants it to be offered? Do you believe this applies to you, and how does Yeshua’s death on the cross fit into this? Have you studied this out? If not, what is the consequence? (Hint: death!)
• Are you sure that God rewards faith (Hebrews 11:5-6)? How does He reward it? Did you know that knowing faith is rewarded is evidence that you even believe God exists? Do you believe He exists? How do you know? Are you sure? Is there anything that could rock that faith?
• Are you certain that you should fear God (Hebrews 11:7)? What does the “fear of YHVH” even look like? Why should we be afraid of God anyway? Are you afraid of Him? What does that mean to you?
• Are you sure that there is a future that is predicted in God’s Word (Hebrews 11:8-10)? Do you know that the Bible contains history AND future? Do you believe it will happen? Does it affect how you live today?
• Are you certain that God can be depended on (Hebrews 11:11-12)? Do you believe He keeps His Word? If so, do you believe He’ll provide for your finances, your health, your problem circumstances? Or does worry (rather than faith) rule your life?

God says, of people who have this kind of faith, that “God is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16). That is a powerful statement! I have to ask myself, “Is God ashamed of me? Is He embarrassed when I brag about the church I go to, or the denomination to which I belong, or the loud-mouthed way I call my culture to belief in Him? Are my actions backed by my beliefs?”

Hebrews 11:6 says,

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. Wow! That’s a loaded statement.

In other words, if you’re not “sure” and “certain” that you even believe the Bible is true, then are you sure of eternal life? Are you sure you’re a Christian? Are you sure about anything the church might teach, or that you might read, or that you might hear?

Looking back at Deuteronomy 4:2 again, we read that God warns,

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHVH your God which I command you.”

Don’t add to. Don’t subtract from. Those are the roots of all error that has ever arisen in our churches.

What about rules and standards and convictions and preferences? Well, unless they are specifically mentioned in God’s Word, they are “adding to.” How many people have left God because of the added thou shalts and thou shalt nots. (I’m not referring to the Ten Commandments or any other of God’s laws, of course. I’m just talking about the modern ones we’ve added in.)

What about the laws of God that are ignored in our culture? For fun, take a peek at Genesis 1:28 or Leviticus 11 or 1 Corinthians 11? What about the truth of creation, taught as a myth in our churches? What else has been subtracted from God’s Word? You might as well grab your scissors and… snip… snip… snip… unless you believe that God has spoken in ALL of His Word (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.

Faith is being “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Are you sure? Are you certain? That’s faith!

And faith affects our lives. If we really have faith, it changes how we think. It changes how we live. Next time, we’ll start looking at some of the logical consequences of faith in Hebrews 12 and 13. It might touch a little close to home….

Hugs,

P.S. Don’t forget your homework! Have you read Hebrews 11? Have you read ALL the Old Testament Scriptures? If not, go grab your Bible….

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture in this blog post taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture marked (NIV) was taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.