Heb 11:1-13 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. Faith is the doorway to things unseen and the gateway to knowing how God created all things out of nothing by using only the power of His word.
4 By faith Abeloffered 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. After Adam’s fall, God still honored faith, as Abel’s offering was counted as faith in the God who created him. In Cain’s situation, his faith was in his ability to create the thing he offered.
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. Faith places one in a position where supernatural things occur, anointed for witness throughout eternity. Enoch had faith that he pleased God, and because of it, God took him off the earth and transferred him to another place.
So, faith must be of a manner that enables any believer to please God, but it also says they are to not only believe that He is who He is, but that He will reward them for diligently seeking after Him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. An interesting fact is that Noah was moved out of fear of losing his family to do what God told him to do (build an Ark). His faith brought righteousness, so God did as He said and saved his family.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after received for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Abraham continued to do whatever God told him, even in a desert place where he was a foreigner. Thus, he and his descendants inherited the promises of God, though the land he stood on was strange to him. He continued to believe by faith, no matter where God said to go.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore innumerable. Sarah, the wife of Abraham, through faith received the refreshing of her flesh to the degree she was able to conceive when she was 90 years old, and not only conceive, but also the strength to carry the fetus the whole term to the birth of Isaac. All because she, by faith, believed God would be faithful to fulfill the promise He made.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Everyone mentioned here believed in what God said by faith. Thus, it is never going to be about what we do here, outside of salvation through Christ; it is always about God doing through those who have faith to trust Him to do what He says He will do.
If spiritual mediocrity is the status of a child of God, faith will not work to the degree that it brings what is needed for a life of blessing and health, both natural and spiritual. The only way believers change from mediocrity to maturity is by faith in the truth contained in the word as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Eph 4:13-24 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Everything God does is to keep His offspring alive and well in spirit, soul, and body for a purpose of blessing them and those He puts in their life. The unity of faith as a working measure here is seen in the fact that the whole body of Christ is to come to a knowledge of the Son of God, and the Church is no exception to this, as it presents Christ’s stature. Believers in a unity of faith have long been about believers in Jesus as the Messiah, so that the fulfillment of unity is as in this scripture. But unity is much more than what has occurred; it is a unity for power to be exercised in the name of Christ. Not only power to be exercised by a corporate effort, but by an effort made by each part of the whole body of Christ by faith in the authority of God.
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This sense of maturity evident here is founded on faith in Christ, which brings an edification unlike any before in the history of the Church.
This is an edification that flows out of love, an (Agape) love to be exact, that comes only from the presence of the Holy Spirit to be equally dispersed among all its parts. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
The previous statement is exactly what we see happening in the world and in many churches among those who have an emptiness of soul, thinking as the world thinks. They are ignorant of life issues as God sees them because they are blind in the heart by a spirit of mediocrity that sees no need to be different, thus labeling them as unclean and without hope. Faith comes from the truth of the word concerning Christ and is sufficient to be renewed to spiritual thinking that brings forth a new creation as His righteous son or daughter.
Living in the prominence of faith, doing the will of their heavenly Father to supply blessings He has determined to distribute on earth. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. You have been made to be somebody who, like those before you, by faith, believes God will do exactly what He says He will do.
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