The Heroes of Faith (from the book "Drawing Near")

Grace to You.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval" (Heb. 11:1-2).

Christian faith produces righteous deeds.

Hebrews 11 has been called "The Heroes of Faith," "The Faith Chapter," "The Saints' Hall of Fame," "The Honor Roll of the Old Testament Saints," and "The Westminster Abbey of Scripture." Those are appropriate titles because this chapter highlights the virtues of faith as demonstrated in the lives of great Old Testament saints. It also reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Such a reminder was necessary for the first-century Hebrew people because Judaism had abandoned true faith in God for a legalistic system of works righteousness. Its message is valid today since our devotion to Christ can easily degenerate into a religion of rules and regulations.

While affirming the primacy of faith, the writer of Hebrews doesn't undermine the importance of righteous works. Quite the contrary. He exhorts us "to stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (10:24) and to pursue holiness so others will see Christ in us and be drawn to Him (12:14).

Yet righteous works are the by-product of true salvation, not its means. As the apostle Paul wrote, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). Apart from faith, all attempts to please God through good works alone are as useless and offensive to Him as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). That's why Paul gladly set all his Jewish legalistic practices aside, counting them as rubbish. He wanted only "the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith" (Phil. 3:9).

This month we'll study the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11. As we do, remember they weren't perfect people. But their faith was exemplary and by it they gained God's approval. I pray that's true of you as well.

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God for the gift of faith. Undoubtedly you know people who are trying to please God by their own efforts. Pray for them and take every opportunity to tell them of true salvation through faith in Christ

For Further Study

Select one of the individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 and read the Old Testament account of his or her life.

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[WVKayaker]

Thanks, MetMom, for adding daily to our conversations and thoughts.

One of my favorite Bible stories concerns a man who deserved better, but got the brunt of Satan's attacks. Job is clearly one of the outstanding men of the Old Testament days.

His life was good, but the God allowed Lucifer to bring about a devastation that few could withstand. After it all, though, God gave back to Job more than just riches. God restored Job's faith in his walk with God.

God allows us to be tested. I have had my trials, but they are nothing compared to seeing your world crashing down. Children gone. Servants dead. Fields burned. Bad stuff x100.

But, we see Job sitting around listening to his "friends" tell him how bad he must be, in God's eyes, and yet, Job withstands it all. Job had much more patience than I could ever find.

David was a "man after God's own heart". Yet, he had no trials like Job. Noah got drunk after the Ark brought him through the floods. Moses never entered the Promised Land. Great men who failed due to human frailty.

I have been like Job in only a small way. Though tested, I never give up. I am convinced in the power of God's Holy Spirit bringing me through each day.

Job 118 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

[metmom]

Your post is very timely for me.

Thanks for that.

[Cronos]

from the article: for the first-century Hebrew people because Judaism had abandoned true faith in God for a legalistic system of works righteousness.

I hate blanket statements -- this one is a false blanket statement. Pharisee leaders could be said to have abandoned this, but again, not all (Nicodemus). Saying that Judaism as a whole had abandoned true faith is false in the light of what we know of Essenes.

Also, what about all the Zealots and others? If they were just for works righteousness, then they would have been happy under the Romaoi empire