The author is bringing the entire letter together in chapters 11 and 12. Chapter 11 lays a foundation for the fulfillment of God’s purpose for his followers and the final redemption of all creation revealed in chapter 12. That foundation rests on the twin pillars of faith and hope.
In this foundation faith is understood as looking to God to meet all of our needs and trusting God for everything. Hope is looking to the future promised by God and trusting God to bring that future to reality. What makes such trust possible is the object of our faith and hope.
Faith is not hoping God can; it is knowing God will. Again, what makes such faith possible is the object of our faith.
Faith is not a force we can control by trying hard to believe. Faith comes through making a decision about whom we will trust with our life and with our future.
The writer then summarizes God’s history with humans and remembers the men and women who made decisions to trust God with their lives. The compelling characteristic they all share is that their faith, their trust in God, was active, not passive. Just believing is not enough to constitute Godly faith as James 2:19 makes clear: “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.”
Godly faith is evidenced by the choices we make. The Hall of Fame identified by the author all made decisions to conform their life to the will of God because they trusted God for everything. They trusted God to provide for them. They especially trusted God for their hope of a future where sin and evil and death have been banished for all eternity. Because of their trust in God, because of their faith, they worshiped God ‘with holy fear and awe.’ (Hebrews 12:28-29)
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
27-Feb-12 Heb. 11:32-12:13
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