Hebrews 11:1-2 English Standard Version

By Faith

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.

The faith chapter of Hebrews is interesting if we look at how faith worked in the lives of others and the results of acting by faith. Let us not confuse the commendation of man with the commendation of Father God.

Faith is a spiritual concept that plays a significant role in our lives. There is a faith that is not spiritual in nature. A geyser in Yellowstone National Park is called Old Faithful because it spews hot water high in the air on a predictable cycle. That is not faith, that is dependable.

Hope also has two sides. By faith hope is seen as the promises of God that have not yet come to pass. On the other side is a hope for what we want that has nothing to do with faith.

Conviction by faith comes from the spirit. Convictions in the world come from well known sources, magistrates, prosecutors, judges and juries.

Because there are two sides to everything, we must ask ourselves if what we do is to seek the commendation of man or Father God?

There was only one Moses, only one Elijah, only one Noah but there are millions of Christians.

Ephesians 4:4-6 English Standard Version

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

That does not make us special in the world, only special in the eyes of Father God because of faith.

1 Corinthians 1:18-20 English Standard Version

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Intellect is defined as the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract or academic matters.

If we for motive within intellect we will find hints of pride and self-determination. This life in Christ is just the opposite, humility and submission.

Isaiah 1:18 English Standard Version (ESV) “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

We love to quote this line of scripture because it is one of the precious promises of God. When we view it with our intellect, we see the words “your sins are” which says the nature of sin has not changed, nor has sin been removed from us. The vision of “shall be” is beyond our ability to see in our natural state because sin is still in our lives. A common mistake in reasoning keeps what we like to hear and ignores the rest.

Isaiah 1:19 English Standard Version (ESV) If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

Humility and submission yield blessings.

Isaiah 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV) but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

At this point there will be some who instantly think “but the Word of the Lord says….”

That is intellect replacing faith. Intellect objects, faith accepts without justifying God.