The Hall of Faith

Read Hebrews 11

Faith is as important to a Christian as is water to a fish. In times like these, when world events challenge our faith every day, we need to draw inspiration from Biblical heroes and heroines, including Noah.

While it is good to read about Noah's faith, it is important to understand the role of faith in our walk with God, because faith is not just intellectual assent but a confident trust that leads to action and obedience.

We tend to look at faith from afar, but up close it may have very different connotations.

Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith" because it beautifully recounts the stories of numerous individuals throughout the Old Testament who demonstrated remarkable faith in God. Their stories teach us what faith is all about. Think of it as a powerful testament to what it means to live by belief rather than by sight.

Why is faith so important to us that a whole chapter was devoted to it by Apostle Paul?

The role of faith is absolutely central to the Bible, permeating both the Old and New Testaments. It's not just a passive belief, but an active trust and reliance on God, His promises and His word. It is :

1. The Foundation of our personal Relationship with God because it is the fundamental way humans connect with God. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Therefore, it is through faith that we acknowledge God's existence, His character, and His power.

2. Faith is the Means of Salvation:

The New Testament clearly teaches that salvation is a gift received through grace by faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). It's not earned by works but freely given to those who believe in Jesus' atoning sacrifice and resurrection.

3. Faith is the Key to Righteousness:

In the Old Testament, Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3). This sets a precedent that righteousness before God comes through believing His promises.

Faith is not just about believing that God is, but also believing in what He says and acting on it. Noah did it, Abraham did and so many more, as called out in the Hall of Faith.

4. Source of Power and Miracles:

Throughout the Bible, faith is linked to God's miraculous works. Jesus often told those He healed, "Your faith has made you well" (Mark 5:34).

How does all this concern us as Christians? Because we are called on to live by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7). This means trusting God even when circumstances are unclear or challenging. It involves making decisions and living life based on God's Word and promises, even when they seem contrary to human reasoning.

As we said in the last post, our own intelligence and reasoning is our worst enemy as it tends to dilute what God has asked of us. We "rationalize" situations, as we do His word. We interpret according to our convenience and logic. In effect we question God and maybe put words in His mouth. In the last post of the Rudderless Boat, I am sure many many of us would have advised God that He forgot the rudder and the sail.

Finally, faith is evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." It's the conviction that what God has said and or promised is real and will come to pass, even if it's not yet visible.

The Hall of Faith is about all those people who actually lived by faith in what God wanted them to do.

Faith, in the Bible, is not a blind leap into the unknown but a confident trust in God who we know.

It's a dynamic and active reliance on the unseen God and His unfailing Word.