"Now
faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not
seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors
received approval.." (Hebrews 11:1-2 NRSV)
Hebrews
11 has been called the great faith chapter. What, exactly, is faith? If it is
so important to the redemptive process, we must have a clear understanding of
its nature.
The
need is supplied in verses 1-2. Faith,
according to the NIV text, is always two things: (1) a sense of assurance within us (being sure of what we hope for) and (2)
a certainty that there are realities which we cannot see with our physical eyes
(certain of what we do not see)…
Paul,
in Colossians 1:5, sees faith and love flowing out of the hope awakened by the
gospel. Hope, which “springs eternal in the human breast,” comes first. Then,
faith sees freedom from sin on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, a consequent
loving relationship to God, peace with one’s neighbors and joy in the midst of
life (all what we hope for). These
realities, though invisible, are personally appropriated; as a result, love for
both God and others flows from the sense of gratitude which faith has awakened.
Thus, the famous triumvirate of “faith, hope, and love” are central to all
Christian living.
-- Ray C. Stedman in “Hebrews:
The IVP New Testament Commentary Series”
#4235
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