There is an interesting
collection of “un-classified” individuals here (and I am really trying to tell
where they belong). But there is something unmistakable about this group of
nameless individuals, they had faith. Here and there the bible relates why they
even got named in this hall in the first place. Read again, did they receive
what they believed? I think not. So, why are they here as faith heroes? I think
we define faith as believing and receiving; however, these people,
interestingly, demonstrate that it is a few sentences longer.
“Each one of these people of
faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing”.
(Hebrews 11:13 MSG)
Do I see the bible describing
some people who died without receiving what they believed as people of faith?
This is a bit unsettling. A few
verses earlier, remarkable individuals received, as it were, extraordinary
results—sacrifice acceptable to God, steady walk with God, righteous believe,
and a woman whose shriveled loins brought forth a child. Here, however, the
results were not as extraordinary. They had faith but died without receiving
what was promised; “not yet having in
hand”—didn't have what they believed in, yet. For them, it was not about an
outcome.
Faith is more than just an
outcome. We must display simple trust in God’s abilities even when the results
do not add up. Whether it is in overcoming a besetting sin that won’t just let
go, or praying for the lost, or a breakthrough in career, family and so forth;
we should not explain the existence or nonexistence of faith by the results we
want.
It is not about “receiving
faith” as many a zealous Christian would naively declare; it’s about believing
in God, simple. These individuals are called faith-FULL because they believed,
not because they received.
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