Simply Faith...


These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. -Hebrews 11:39-40

Faith. It’s such a simple word, but the implications behind it is far more reaching they we will ever know. When I read this passage I am always blown away by the power of faith. However, faith comes at a price. With faith there is trust and suffering. Trust in God is absolutely necessary with faith. Trusting in God’s plans no matter how crazy it seems. The example the writer gives is of Rahab who trusted that the Israelites will spare her family from invasion, which was a leap of faith and trust. When you follow God many others around you may not see it as following God. The writer here mentions Noah and the ark. Imagine building an ark in the middle of land? Yes it is crazy. The writer here makes no mistake on what he says that faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Following God has its price, but the reward is so much greater.

Now what gets me irritated is what I hear too often I in Christianity, and it goes a little something like: “If you have faith then your life will be blessed,” or “if you do this then God will bring you this.” As if we can control God. I hear too much sometimes, on how to rid our life of suffering, and that God intends for us to live a life that is stress free, healthy, and rich. That is a load of crap and is very much unbiblical. What often is not preached is that your faith in God will produce suffering, and more often then not, you do not see the reward of your labor, as it is stated in Hebrews 11:39. The reward that has been promised is not for this Earth. The reward of our faith is for what is to come. How often do we (myself included) think that what has been promised to us is in the form of a monetary riches, heath, or a good life. Is that what Christ came to earth to do? Give us a comfortable life? I often have to pinch myself to remind me that the life that I live, in order to have the meaning it was intended to have, is to live in such a way that my life is all about Christ. It may mean that I will suffer greatly, it may mean that I may live a life that is not what others see as successful, it may mean that I may do things that many, including my Christian friends, will not understand. But in the end, if all that I do is rooted in Christ, and I am obedient to his will, then it will all be worth it. True faith in God is not always easy, but true faith will enable to give strength to press on despite of all the suffering that is around.

Love this passage Lord, grow me in the ways that will show the error of my ways, and give me faith so that one day what You had planned will be made perfect.


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