Hebrews 11:1–7

Faith Defined

Hebrews 11:1–7
Faith Described (1–3)
Faith in God enables us to believe what we cannot see. Just as eyesight produces a conviction about objects in the physical world, faith produces the same convictions for the invisible order. The author indicates biblical faith is a settled confidence that something in the future, something that is not yet seen but has been promised by God, will actually come to pass because God will bring it about.

Faith is a dynamic certainty about what God has promised. Biblical faith is not a feeling, optimism, sentimentality or a hunch. True faith is neither brainless nor a sentimental feeling. It is a solid conviction resting on God’s words that makes the future present and the invisible seen.

Biblical faith is not blind trust in the face of contrary evidence, not an unknowable “leap in the dark.” Rather true faith is a confident trust in the eternal God who is all-powerful, infinitely wise and eternally trustworthy. Biblical faith is in the God who has revealed Himself in the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ, whose promises have proven true from generation to generation, and who will never leave nor forsake His own. Such faith in the unseen realities of God is emphasized throughout Hebrews 11 and has provided assurance to everyone who receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

By faith the people of old, especially those listed in the chapter, received commendation in the form of a good testimony from God. The author does not focus on their failures since his goal is to provide a positive illustration of what faith looks like and to connect the current people of God with this cloud of witnesses.

Biblical faith also enlightens our understanding of the cosmos. By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command. God spoke the universe into existence. Faith points to an unseen power who created the world we see. By faith we know that all that we see around us and all that takes place on earth came from One we cannot see.

Faith Demonstrated (4–7)
Faith in God enables us to sacrifice in a more excellent way. Genesis 4:3–7 and the rest of the Old Testament does not explain why Abel’s offering was more acceptable than Cain’s. Hebrews offers the explanation: Abel had faith. The fact that God accepted Abel’s sacrifice showed he had an obedient attitude of mind. Abel’s offering was an unrestrained response to God, complete with lavish worship that was pleasing to God. Even though Cain murdered Abel, his demonstration of faith continues to encourage believers today.

Faith in God enables us to live a life that is pleasing to God. Genesis 5:24 declares: “Enoch walked with God, and he was not for God took him.” From the commentary in Hebrews we learn that Enoch’s release from death was because of his faith. We also learn that before his translation into heaven he lived a life that was pleasing to God. In an age of corruption Enoch stood out as a man of righteousness. He showed his faith by his walk with God. Faith in a God he could not see controlled his life.

Real fellowship with God cannot exist without faith. Two convictions must characterize the lives of believers. First they must believe that He exists. Anyone wanting to fellowship with God must believe He is real. Second believers must believe He rewards those who seek Him. Faith has confidence in a God of love and goodness. It would be foolish to look for a god who does not exist or for one, if he did exist, would punish you if you found him.

Faith in God enables us to act in godly fear. Noah showed his faith in response to a specific warning from God. He took the warning to heart, built an ark and saved his family. Noah’s act of building the ark condemned the scoffing unbelief of his generation and provided visible evidence that Noah believed God.