The Other Side of Faith
“The world was not worthy of them.”–Heb 11:38a (NIV)
Before we move on from Hebrews 11, let’s mine just a couple
more of the abundant gems that sparkle in its forty verses. “God
did it for me and I know He’ll do it for you!” Have you ever
heard somebody claim that? They can be dangerouswords! They
imply that God always works the same way in every situation,
even though His plan and purpose may vary from person to
person.God always honors faith (e.g., v. 6), but wemust permit
Him to honor it His way (e.g., Rom 9:20).
Heb 11:35-38 (please read), focuses on some winners whomight
appear to be losers.After all, they suffered for their faith and did
not experience miraculous escapes like other faithful followers
in chapter 11.Did they fail God? Did God fail them? No! It’s just
that these unnamed heroes glorified God through their suffering
rather than by their escaping. And in doing so, they teach us
more about living a life of faith in God.
The Life of Faith Is Costly – Thosementioned earlier in chapter
11 certainly paid a price for their faith. Abel gave up his life,
Abrahamleft his home and family,Moses forfeited the treasures
and pleasures of Egypt, and David was persecuted by Saul. Yet
as we scan the closing verses of the chapter, we encounter
new vocabulary: “tortured, refused to be released…jeers
and flogging…chained and put in prison…stoned…sawed
in two…put to death by the sword…destitute, persecuted
and mistreated.”
Like everything worthwhile, faith costs (though never as much
as disbelief!). We must stand ready to be like Daniel’s three
friends on their way into Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace: “the
God we serve is able to save us from it…. But even if he does
not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your
gods” (Dan 3:16-17).
The Life of Faith Is Commended – From a human viewpoint,
these “faith fanatics” were miserable failures. From the divine
perspective, however, they were so precious that “the world was
not worthy of them” (11:38). In essence, they were such
magnificent specimens of faithfulness that they were too good
to remain in such a wicked world! “These were all commended
for their faith” and have a heavenly reward—one awaiting all
people of faith (vv. 2, 16, 26, 35, 39-40).
Like an athlete, sometimes we collect scars before we collect
medals (1 Cor 9:24-27; 2 Tim2:3-5). Let us shun“fantastic faith
formulas” and instead embrace the cost and the commendation
of godly faith!
For Discussion: What steps of faith would make the world a little less
worthy of you?
