My daily walk through the Bible recently brought me to the “Faith Hall of Fame,” found in Hebrews 11. But rather than focus on the characters we know so well, here we will instead turn our attention to faith itself – particularly the life of faith enabled and empowered in those who position themselves to receive it as a gift from Almighty God. What we find is a gift for so much more than our salvation, for by faith we:

1. Understand the creative power of God’s word (v. 3);
2. Obtain God’s witness of our righteousness (v. 4);
3. Please God (v. 5-6);
4. See the world from God’s perspective and respond properly (v. 7);
5. Respond to God’s call to adventure (v. 8);
6. Wait patiently for God’s better promise (v. 10);
7. Find strength for the impossible (v. 11);
8. Are drawn forward – even toward promises we will not see or experience ourselves (vv. 13-16;
9. Pass the tests of God (vv. 17-19);
10. Bless our children (v. 20);
11. Worship God (v. 21);
12. Prophesy (v. 22);
13. Stand against evil (v. 23);
14. Refuse the status and security of the world (vv. 24, 26);
15. Choose suffering rather than the passing pleasures of sin (v. 25);
16. Look to heaven’s reward (v. 26);
17. Endure trials and tribulations (v. 27);
18. Obey God (v. 28);
19. Trust God’s miraculous deliverance (v. 29);
20. Overcome impossible strongholds (v. 30);
21. Move from the enemy’s camp into God’s kingdom (v. 31);
22. Subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises, and overcome dangers (v. 33);
23. Survive violence, become strong and courageous, and participate in God’s war against our enemies (v. 34);
24. Experience miracles and stand triumphant in the worst affliction and persecution (vv. 35-38); and,
25. Obtain a good testimony.

Faith is the key to our relationship with God and life in this world; more so than we seem to understand. We should give considerably more attention to finding, receiving, and exercising the faith God so readily offers. Indeed, if we understood and appreciated the value of faith, we would invest more time and attention listening to God. Why?

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17.

God loves talking with his children. And so, we encourage you to consider this list as a collection of conversation starters. For example, if you are facing a test, ask God to give you a word for the faith you need to pass the test. When you hear His word, receive the faith of it into your heart – “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10a).” Give your obedience to the faith you have received (Romans 16:25-27), and faith will lay hold of God’s grace for the test you are facing (Romans 5:1-2).

The process of faith – the hearing of faith, obedience to the faith, and the work of faith – applies to each item referenced in our list. In fact, none of the items listed above are profitable to us or God without faith, “for whatever is not from faith is sin (Romans 14:23b).” And so, it can be argued that our failure to develop a listening relationship with God puts us at great risk of sinning against Him. Jesus said it this way:

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 7:21-23

Faith is not a passive exercise, to be practiced once for salvation’s sake; nor is it willful, delusional acceptance of something we cannot prove or measure. In the same way language facilitates communication with others, faith is the faculty of our heart whereby we commune with God in all aspects of life.

God bless you with spiritual understanding and wisdom for the life of faith he offers.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob

#iamjustthepen