Week 14 - Hebrews 11

If what we believe makes any difference, then it has to change the way we live. That's what the phrase "by faith" (repeated over and over again in this chapter) is all about. Faith is about the things that matter most. Take that faith away and we have nothing left.

While this entire chapter chronicles people of faith, the first seven verses point out three, who teach us some of the most timely lessons of life.

Without faith, you cannot be accepted by God (v. 4)

Whatever we may say about the two offerings of Cain and Abel, the real difference was in the heart. Abel had faith; Cain did not. Abel trusted in God and offered the best that he had; Cain lacked faith and apparently just went through the motions. The order is crucial: first the man, then the offering. Man looks on the outside and makes his judgments. God always looks to the heart. When He looked at Abel's heart, he found faith there, and it was faith that he rewarded.

Without faith, you cannot please God (vv. 5-6)

The French philosopher Pascal said that there is a "God-shaped vacuum" inside every human heart.” Since nature abhors a vacuum, if we don't fill it with God, we will fill it with something else. Enoch filled his with God. Augustine said, "O Lord, you have made us for yourself. Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you." How true that is. As the text says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Without faith, you cannot stand against the world (v. 7)

It was Noah's faith that allowed him to stand alone and resulted in the saving of his family. Faith is trust, confidence, courage. Faith is believing that God is who He says He is, and it is doing what God tells one to do. Faith gives strength to stand against the enemy.

Conclusion

From Abel to Enoch to Noah - what joins these men together is their faith. That is what joins the rest of those written about in Hebrews 11 together, and that is what joins us to them. Take that away and we have nothing.

—David Swanger