Feb 07, 2011 The Verbs of Faith
Originally posted on April 15, 2004
The Verbs of Faith
Hebrews 11 is the chapter best known for its teaching on faith. The phrase “by faith” is used twenty times to describe the lives of many of the great people of the Bible. When we read of them, we find ourselves wanting what they had- more faith.
A fresh reading of this chapter revealed something to me. After each use of the phrase “by faith” a verb is given. Action words like “offered, was taken up, built, obeyed, went out, lived, received, blessed, hid, refused, chose, considered, left, kept, passed through, welcomed, conquered, quenched, experience, were stoned, were sawn in two, were put to death, died” are given to show us that faith does something.
Actions are motivated by faith. It takes faith in God’s ability to work His will and His good on our behalf to get us moving with what He calls us to do in our daily lives. Without confidence in God, we are left in our fear, doing what we can to stay safe. But with trust that God is for us, we move out with joy and assurance even when we are unsure of the future.
Faith moves us to action. True faith is not only in the head, or even the heart. True faith is in the feet. Hebrews 11 tells us that faith has verbs.
Faith does not always keep us from danger. One thing to notice in Hebrews 11 is that by faith many of these people suffered. We can take from this that there is at least one thing more important than safety- faith.
Faith will be rewarded. Faith carries with it a greater reward than does safety, success, or any other attainment in this world. “He is the rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
Faith is believing and doing. If God is calling you to believe something, He is also calling you to do something. If He is calling you to do something, He is also calling you to believe something.
What is God calling you believe and do today?
Pastor Scott