by Jeremy Paschall
Faith is the essential quality which distinguishes those who please God from those who do not (Hebrews 11:6). Without this fundamental spiritual ingredient in one’s life, any expectation of God’s approval is vain. If we hope to find favor with God and receive His spiritual rewards, genuine faith must be cultivated, maintained, and manifested in our lives. This requires, then, a Biblical understanding of faith “to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39).
The apostle Paul wrote, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). In other words, the Old Testament portion of our Bible was recorded and preserved that we might learn the lessons of history and be encouraged to serve God faithfully. Among the material written and guarded for our instruction, there are stories of tremendous faith, “For by it the elders obtained a good testimony” (Hebrews 11:2; cf. 11:39). Hebrews chapter 11 recounts for us some of the Old Testament heroes and heroines from whom we can learn the behavior of the genuine Biblical faith which can save our souls.
First, real faith offers sacrifices which are acceptable to God. “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4; cf. Genesis 4:3-5). Because Abel believed and accepted God’s expectations for worship, his sacrifice complied with those standards and was accepted as pleasing God. Genuine faith separated Abel’s approval from Cain’s rejection. Likewise, we must realize that the quality of our faith will determine our willingness to make the sacrifices required by the Lord. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). His call is for self-sacrifice, a surrender of one’s own will that he might be wholly given to obeying God’s will. Faith demands the absolute conviction and full commitment required to make such a sacrifice.
Second, real faith heeds the warnings of God. “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7; cf. Genesis 6:13-22). Noah’s confidence in the surety of God’s forthcoming judgment motivated him to do the work he had been assigned. Such conviction distinguished Noah, who heeded God’s warning, from those who perished in flood. Similarly, one with such faith today must properly consider and respond to divine admonition. “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27), a judgment which will see the condemnation of many who are unprepared to face the Lord (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; cf. Matthew 25). Those with genuine faith will think about these sobering realities, change their lives accordingly, and adopt standards which meet with God’s approval. Biblical faith requires the godly fear necessary to acknowledge His warnings and conduct ourselves appropriately.
Third, real faith obeys the will of God. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive for an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8; cf. Genesis 12:1-4). “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17; cf. Genesis 22:1-3,18). “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30; cf. Joshua 6:1-5). In each of these instances, those who pleased God manifested great faith by humbly submitting to God’s commands, even when human judgment might have suggested an alternate course of action. Misgivings (if indeed they existed and are unrecorded) were faithfully set aside for the cause of doing the Lord’s will. This mentality must also be adopted by those of this age who wish to please God. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). He proceeded to warn of condemnation for those who were sincere but disobedient (Matthew 7:22-23 -- “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”) and to commend the wisdom of hearing and doing as He instructed (Matthew 7:24-27). Those of substantive faith will not neglect such plain teaching. Any claim to faith which is not accompanied by whole-hearted submission to God’s direction lacks His approval.
Genuine Biblical faith, which receives the approval and acceptance of God, is much more than an intellectual or verbal agreement with the truths of Scripture. Real faith is the thorough conviction regarding those truths which motivates one to willingly sacrifice, meekly fear, and humbly obey God’s will. With such faith Abel, Noah, Abraham, the Israelites, and countless others gained the approval of God and stand as ageless examples for those of us who long for such divine favor. With an acute awareness of the coming judgment and an inescapable eternity, let us all strive for faith “to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39).