Faith, Is It Necessary?

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. ~ Hebrews 11:1-10 (ESV)

As we look around we see a desperate people looking for something to my their trust in. They look to the government, they look to booze and drugs, they look to money. They seek for anything but God to have faith in. Then there are those who say they only have faith in themselves. We see those who say, “There is no God!” Yet their actions show that they despise Him, how can you hate what does not exist? My heart truly goes out to these people; they are lost in a godless world, seeking a reason that cannot be found.

The author of Hebrews, (some believe it to be Paul, but it is unknown for sure), shows us here the need to have faith in our Lord and Creator. I love the definition of faith: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In our faith to God we are assured that what He promised He will deliver! In our faith we are promised that we will see Him again! That Christ is going to come back to us!

Just look at a few of the examples here, Abel offered to God is very best in the faith that God was going to take care of Him. It says that even though Cain killed Abel, he still speaks, meaning that he will be raised in the resurrection. Enoch, being in faith was found righteous by God and was taken to be with God without having to die, that my friends is faith!

How can you please God if you do not have faith in Him? You cannot draw near to God if you do not believe He exists, how do you expect to be taken care of by someone who is not there? The reward comes to those who actively seek Him, not for show but for love.

Look at Noah, his faith lead him to build a huge ark based solely on the Word of God. Noah had never seen rain nor floods had no idea what God was talking about but based on his Faith and love of God, Noah took Him at His word and followed the instructions with a “conviction of the things not seen.” (V1) IN doing this Noah condemned the entire word, all those who had not faith to become the heir of the righteousness that can only come by faith in a Living God. Then there was Abraham, obeying God when he was called to leave his home and all he knew and travel out to a place that was foreign to him. Abraham did not know what God’s intentions or plans were he just knew that God called him to go and out of faith Abraham went. Living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise that they would be God’s people. Abraham believed God and with the love and faith he had for God, Abraham looked forward to the city that has eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

Faith and love go hand in hand, you cannot have faith unless you love. Turn to God and His word to see the love He has for us. Look at the promises that He has already kept and the promises of the future, you will see a trustworthy God, a God of conviction, a righteous God, a God of love and mercy, a God we can and must put all our faith in. After all He is our Father. Amen. <><