1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Hebrews 11 chronicles the faith of patriarchs of old. Hebrews 11:2 says, “For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report.” A good report about what? A good report about the word of God spoken to them. That means that they entered into the fulfilment of the promises that God made to them. How? Through faith. Hebrews 11:3 says, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” This means that faith is the appreciation of spiritual realities of the Word of God such that one acts on the Word as a now fact or reality. Faith is acting on the Word from deep within the heart as a reality that cannot be denied or waved aside. That’s what faith is. Faith starts with conviction in the heart regarding the Word, but that conviction is not void of action; it is always backed up by a corresponding action. Biblical faith is always a definite conviction based on God’s Word which is backed up with a corresponding action.
Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith, Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it, he being dead yet speaketh.” The action of Abel’s faith was his offering of a more excellent sacrifice unto God. For Enoch, his action of faith was walking with God. Hebrews 11:5 says, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Genesis 5:24 shows us that God took him as he walked with Him by faith. Then Hebrews 11:6 sums up the requirement for anyone who will come to God. “But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” So then, the bible kind of faith demands conviction and compels action. First, you must believe in your heart that God is faithful, and His Word is true. Faith here involves conviction in the heart and diligent seeking of the Lord. There is no such thing as faith without a corresponding action. There must be an action going side-by-side your faith; an action which is an offshoot of your conviction.
SOLID FRONT (YOUR CONFESSION):
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I declare that my faith is potent, active and productive. I walk by faith and not by sight or sensory perception in Jesus’ Name!!!
Further Meditation:
Genesis 5:22-24; James 2:17-18.