The Enduring Faith, Part 2 – Hebrews 11:13-14

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.  Heb 11:13-14

Every Christian- in different ways and at varying levels- goes through suffering. Just as gold is refined by fire, trials have melted away the superficial faith of men who ultimately apostatized from the faith, while in others, trials have brought to surface a divine faith that brilliantly endured to the praise, glory, and honor to God.

The author of Hebrews records how the patriarchs of faith- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob- endured in faith. Though they never saw God’s promise of a great nation fulfilled in their lifetimes, they didn’t die in disappointment or hopelessness- they died in faith. How did the patriarchs endure? What can we learn from their examples so that we preserve our faith to the end?

“…having seen them…”

By faith, though the promise was not yet fulfilled, the patriarchs believed God’s Word and saw its fulfillment with assurance. (Heb 11:1; Gen 12:2) God reveals His Will through His Word- our faith must therefore rest on God’s Word, not on emotions or physical evidence. (Rom 10:17) The most important aspect of Christian life is handling Scripture properly. Everything you see as a problem in your life stems from a failure to hear and believe God’s Word. The Holy Spirit is able to give us understanding of God’s Will revealed in His Word so that we can walk by it in faith. We must therefore seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit by depending on God and recognizing Jesus as Lord in every area of our lives. (Col 2:6)

What are the characteristics of those who see Jesus as Lord?

They know what is of utmost value.

Those who honor Jesus as Lord consider Christ to be the highest worth in their lives. When you value something else more than Jesus, you hurt yourself and the church. We must examine ourselves each day and ask ourselves- What do I value most in my life today?

They worship Christ.

We were all born spiritually blind in sin, but now that we can see Jesus, we worship Him as Lord over all. (Jn 9:25, 37-38) The Christian must make matters distinct in his life- in every situation, we must worship Christ. As we honor Christ, we will not fear the world, man, or our circumstances, because we know what is true. Jesus overcame all things by His death and resurrection, so that we can bravely stand in God’s love and truth amidst all trials. (1 Pet 1:8-9; Acts 4:19-20)

They know who they are.

Those who see God and His Word know they are sinners. The Holy Spirit dwells in those who are broken and contrite in spirit. As we see God, we stay humble, and Christ abides in us, and we in Him.

Jesus blesses those who do not see, yet believe in His Word. (Jn 20:27-29) While the patriarchs only saw a glimpse of God’s promise fulfilled, we have a full revelation of God’s redemption fulfilled in Christ through the complete Scripture. Considering this, we ought to live more faithfully than our fathers of faith, with more joy, and more thanksgiving. Let us truly treasure and obey God’s Word. As we live by what is revealed to us in the Bible, our faith will endure.