Is Your Faith Living and Active? Part 4 – Hebrews 11:10

The first Westminster Shorter Catechism states that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. As Christians we are quick to focus on the first part. We labor for the Lord, aiming to glorify Him because of the grace we have received in Jesus Christ. But do we enjoy God Himself? When you feel spent and weary from works and striving, where do you find your rest and solace?

Our Lord Jesus enjoyed God to the fullest. After a long day of ministering to great crowds of lost and needy people, Jesus went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. There, He found all His comfort, rest, and delight in His Father. (Matt 14:23)

Only those who have faith are able to enjoy God, because faith rests in Jesus and treasures Him above all else.  If we have indeed died and have been raised with Christ, we seek the things above, where Christ is. The world no longer captivates us, but like Abraham, we live separated from the world, journeying to reach the better country that the Lord has promised to us. (Matt 6:21; Col 3:1-2) By faith, Abraham looked forward to the city of God- the New Jerusalem. (Rev 21:2) He considered himself a foreigner in the world, living in tents and temporary dwellings, going from place to place as he followed God’s call. As Christians we must examine whether we are living this way. If we have the same faith in the same God as Abraham, God has called us out to walk by faith towards our heavenly home. As we continue to look at the aspects of Abraham’s living and active faith, let the condition of our faith be tested by the Word of God.

Abraham saw a city that has foundations. Everything in life is built upon foundations. Whether it be buildings, churches, or marriages, the strength and integrity of all that we build depends on its foundations. Throughout Abraham’s life, as he trekked from city to city, Abraham must have seen the rise and fall of many structures, governments, and men of power. Abraham sought what was beyond the temporary kingdoms of the world, because unlike these, Abraham knew that the city of God was indestructible.

What kind of foundation did Abraham see?

Abraham saw that God is the foundation. No one can overcome what is built upon God- He is unshakeable and unassailable. He is our mighty Fortress, who has even withstood the power of death. (Matt 16:18)

Jesus Christ is the foundation. Jesus is the foundation of the heavenly city. No one can enter it but through Him. Although Abraham lived hundreds of years before Jesus came down to earth, Abraham looked to Christ by faith. (Jn 8:56; Rom 5:1)

The promise of God is the foundation. The New Jerusalem is built upon the promise of God. Our faith is in the promise of God that finds its Yes in Jesus Christ. We can rejoice in all circumstances, because God’s promises are sure.

As Abraham understood this unshakeable foundation of the heavenly city, he became steadfast in faith, hope, and love. This is true for all believers. As we look to our heavenly home founded upon God and His Word, we will become steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, because no toil for the eternal Kingdom of God will be in vain. (1Cor 15:58; Rom 8:18, 24-25)

Abraham saw a city whose architect and builder is God. Everything that God does is good. He created the heavens and the earth, He designed and accomplished our salvation through the gospel. (Gen 1:3-4; Rom 8:29-30) God is the designer and builder of the heavenly city. By faith, we can see this city. Therefore, we must always be wary of the things that hinder our faith- anger and disappointment, fear, and an ignorance of God. When we distrust God and are ignorant of who He is, we become self-reliant, and fall into fear of man, circumstances, or of God as Judge. God is our good and merciful Father, who has given up His only Son to meet our most pressing need- salvation. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? We must therefore trust our Father and be steadfast in faith, so that we can live on earth as those who by grace have received a better country that is to come.