NOW, Faith!

NOW, Faith! 

Minister Johnathan H. Blue

Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 KJV 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

NOW, Faith! 

Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 NLT 

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. 3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. 

NOW, Faith! 

What is FAITH? 

Our first definition of faith is allegiance to duty or a person (loyalty). Our second definition of faith is believing in something without proof (Trust). 

Our third definition of faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. 

For example:

Despite tempting offers from competitors, employees can remain steadfast in their faith in their company, demonstrating unwavering allegiance to their duties and colleagues, even during challenging times. 

A father’s faith in his daughter’s potential to achieve her dreams must be unwavering despite doubts or uncertainties. He must firmly believe in her abilities even when no concrete proof exists of her success. 

Despite life’s uncertainties, a husband and wife share a deep faith in each other. They rely on their complete trust and confidence to weather storms together, knowing they can depend on one another through thick and thin. 

NOW, Faith! 

In the same way, the promises of God require faith on multiple levels. Firstly, they demand allegiance to duty or a person – in this case, a commitment to God’s teachings and principles. Secondly, they necessitate a firm belief in something without proof, asking believers to trust in the unseen and the unknown, relying solely on their faith in God’s word. Finally, the promises of God call for complete trust or confidence in someone or something, requiring believers to place their unwavering trust in God’s wisdom, love, and sovereignty, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. In essence, embracing the promises of God requires a profound and multifaceted faith that encompasses duty, belief, and trust in God’s unfailing goodness and faithfulness. 

NOW, Faith! 

In this scripture, the author has just finished telling us at the end of Hebrews 10 that “patient endurance is what we need NOW so that we will continue to do God’s will. Then we will receive ALL that God has promised.” As men and women who choose to live just and righteous lives, we are grateful for the “patient endurance” that helps strengthen our faith muscles because it gives us the power to live our fullest lives.

NOW, Faith! 

The author then opens Chapter 11, Verse 1, declaring, “Now faith” In essence, the author introduced his thesis statement on faith. We learn that faith is a physical and tangible manifestation of those things that we deeply desire or are in expectation of spiritually. In verse 2, we learn that our elders “earned a good reputation” through their ability to remember what faith is, understand how it works, and then apply it to their daily lifestyle. Verse 3 then teaches us all that once we know what faith is, how it works, and in which ways we can apply it to our lifestyles, we should then be able to realize how the entire universe was formed by the spoken word of God, in turn fortifying our faith muscles. 

NOW, Faith! 

Why Now Faith? Why Not THEN Faith? 

Why should I be worried about building my faith muscles? Because verse 6 tells us that “it is impossible to please God without faith.” But how can that be? Do you mean to tell me that I can live a life full of significant purpose, good deeds, kind words, and cheerful giving and still not be pleasing to God? Absolutely! The author says, “Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who diligently and sincerely seek Him.” To better explain, anyone who wants to know God must have the faith to believe that the God they are seeking exists, and they then must hope and wish with all of their spiritual might that because they want to know Him more, He will continue to reward them more. 

NOW, Faith! 

How do we build our “Now Faith” 

There are six (6) exercises for strengthening our faith muscles: 

  1. Remember 
  2. Proverbs 10:7 AMP – The memory of the righteous [person] is a [source of] blessingBut the name of the wicked will [be forgotten and] rot [like a corpse].
  3. Isaiah 46:9 NLT – Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. 
  4. Understanding 
  5. Proverbs 4:7 KJV – Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 
  6. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT – Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show youh which path to take. 
  7. Apply 
  8. James 1:22-25 NLT – But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 
  9. Analyze 
  10. Proverbs 3:1 NLT – My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. 
  11. John 14:26 NLT – But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 
  12. Evaluate 
  13. Psalms 139:23-24 NLT – Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. 
  14. 2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT – Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 
  15. Create
  16. Ephesians 2:10 NLT – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 
  17. Ephesians 3:20 NLT – Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 

In conclusion, “Now faith,” as described in Hebrews 11:1-3, 6, is a profound call to action for believers to cultivate and strengthen their faith in God. It underscores the importance of faith as the foundation of our relationship with God, highlighting its role in obtaining God’s promises and pleasing Him. The passage emphasizes the active nature of faith, urging believers to remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create to build and exercise their faith muscles. Through these exercises, believers can deepen their allegiance to God, firmly believe in His promises despite lacking tangible proof, and place complete trust and confidence in His goodness and sovereignty. “Now faith” challenges believers to live with unwavering trust in God’s word, knowing He rewards those who diligently seek Him. As we embark on the journey of faith, may we continually strive to strengthen our faith muscles, drawing closer to God and experiencing His abundant blessings in our lives. 

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