THE FERVENCY OF TRUE FAITH

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. Hebrews 11:1 ESV

THE INVISIBLE GOD AS THE OBJECT OF FAITH

As clearly defined, Biblical faith is to be fully convinced of the existence of the eternal God who is invisible. It is to know and trust God for who He is and His promises. Therefore, Faith is grounded in what’s revealed in scripture about God and His Word.

This is the foundation for faith, that we know that God is eternal, all powerful, knowing and present. He is self-existent and perfectly satisfied within Himself. He does not need anyone or anything and always blessed. In His good pleasure and will, He created for His glory with His Word.

Therefore, those who have true faith, believe that God created the universe by the power of His word. It’s not the case that God tried to exercise some kind of faith to create but willed it and spoke the universe into existence (Hebrews 11:2-3). He is sovereign and sustains all things by the power of his word ( Psalm 147:5, Colossians 1:16-17). Crucially, faith is a gift from God without faith a person cannot know and please God ( Hebrews 11:6). 

THE FAITH OF MOSES IN THE INVISIBLE GOD

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:25-26 ESV

Moses an eminent saint of the Old Testament and one of the examples and inspiration to the Hebrew Christians. He demonstrated true faith, knowing who God is and the hope of a great future.

Moses had all the privileges of a Prince and great opportunity for a prosperous earthly life. However, he made an unusual choice to suffer rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. (Exodus 2:1-15).

The object of his faith was God, the invisible was visible to him which empowered him to suffer with God’s people. True faith is always perfected by the furnace of sufferings. Consequently, the original recipients of the letter of Hebrews were undergoing serious persecution. However, they wanted to give up the faith to return to the state accepted ceremonial law of the old covenant. The writer of Hebrews listed Old Testament saints of the past who had faith in God.

They endured sufferings as they were looking forward to the reward. They persevered as they hope in God without having the substance of Christ and His finished work.

Testing of faith is a prerequisite for true faith in God, if a person fall away due to the testing the consequences are seriously severe.

Therefore, the encouragement was that if the Old Testament saints such as Moses and others believed and endured sufferings without their hope fulfilled in Christ. How much more, the great reality of the Gospel of what Christ accomplished and the greater privileges for the Hebrew believers.

Ultimately, the greatness and glories of the gospel should be the anchor to persevere in faith. How wonderful to know that the future glory far outweighs the present sufferings of Christians (Romans 8:18).

Nevertheless, faith is not intensely focusing the mind, hoping that your mind effort will urge God to bless you. Also, it’s neither repeatedly speaking Bible verses into your situation like some sort of incantation, this is the practice of the Word of Faith movement. Biblically, faith is trust rooted in His being and His perfect promises.

This becomes the object of the believer’s faith. Faith in God is to believe that He is the creator of the universe and the Redeemer of sinners. The object of faith is God and what He has done in Jesus. All His promises are Yes and Amen in Jesus ( 2 Corinthians 1:20).

TRUST JESUS WHO REVEALED THE INVISIBLE GOD

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV

From Abel to the Prophet Samuel, their sacrifices and sufferings for their faith was grounded in the object of faith namely Christ. (Hebrews 11:1-40). Jesus is the object and founder of our faith, as He is the source of salvation. He perfected the faith through His life and work on the cross.

He is the example of the faith and brought it to a perfect end in his own Person. In the final analysis, just like the Hebrews, we should look to Jesus and be fervent in faith. In this uncertain times in our culture and society we should trust in Jesus.

As Christians, our beliefs are under attack but also there’s a significant moral decline. Despite this bleak picture we should look to Jesus, the One who is sovereign. We know that He will work out all things according to His purpose and for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

George Matheson (1842-1906) a Scottish minister in the nineteenth century went through sufferings in his life. His fiancé left him just when he was going blind. After years of support from his sister. He faced another difficult parting as his sister was getting married. In the midst of an uncertain future, the blind George saw the invisible God. He wrote the hymn “O LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO”.

The encouragement is to be fervent in spirit, prayer and love ( Romans 12:11, Acts 18:25, James 5:16, 1 Peter 1:22). Lastly, in personal sufferings and uncertainty, preserve in faith. God promised that He will never leave and forsake His children ( Hebrews 13:5-6).