FAITH IS CONSISTENT. Hebrews 11:13-16
This chapter begins by describing the nature of faith and then turns to the faith of Abel and Enoch, which pleased God. Noah and Abraham’s testimony teaches us that faith leads to obedience, even when the future isn’t clearly revealed. In these verses, we learn that faith is sure of heaven, even though we don’t know much about it, and it sometimes seems far off.
God had given all of these people promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew that the nation that would come through them would be a blessing to the world. The Lord Jesus said that Abraham saw His coming and was glad. All of these people knew that God's promises would be fulfilled, even though they saw them from afar, because the Lord Jesus Christ had not yet come.
Strangers and pilgrims are those who belong to another place and are passing through on their way to a “better country.” Believers in our Lord Jesus Christ are strangers and pilgrims in this sinful world, on our way to our new home in heaven. We are not going back to where we came from. However, we must continue our journey in faith and not settle in this world as if we belonged here. This is not our home.
The Hebrew believers to whom this letter was written were inclined to return to the religion of their ancestors. This system no longer provided atonement for sin through animal sacrifices. Christ had come and fulfilled all righteousness, satisfied God’s justice, and paid the price of sin with His life. He was the true and final sacrifice of which the Old Testament sacrifices were a type and a foreshadowing. Abraham and Sarah didn’t go back to where they came from because they didn’t want to. They already had something better, the promises of God, and they were focused on Him who made the promises.
They believed God’s promises and died in that faith, even though those promises hadn’t yet been fulfilled. They knew in whom they had believed. A promise depends on the ability, integrity, and faithfulness of the one who makes it. We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ; we know our heavenly Father is capable of doing everything He has promised. Therefore, as far as we are concerned, His promises are as good as done! We trust in Him and live accordingly. When God’s promises enlighten our eyes of faith, we are motivated to live as strangers and pilgrims.
The greatest possible blessing for strangers and pilgrims is that our God is not ashamed to be called our God. How far beyond our understanding is the fact that the Most High God, the Father of eternity, the Creator of heaven and earth, is not ashamed of us! Even more, He has prepared a city for us!
Faith makes us strangers and pilgrims on earth, just as our Lord Jesus Christ was. Until our pilgrimage is over, we are to be fully engaged in doing whatever we do as unto the Lord. Whatever He gives us to do, we are to do it with all our might. What He chooses to do with the efforts we put forth as we “occupy until He comes” is up to Him. In faith, we labor and follow Him.
Faith also makes heaven real to us. We have been made partakers of a heavenly calling as we “look off unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” Separation from the sinful attractions of the world is characteristic of strangers and pilgrims. Even so-called “Christian religions” reject our Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, “God manifest in the flesh.” To live in the Holiest, we must forsake the world.
Faith prompts us to search our hearts to see whether there are wicked ways within us. It is proven by how we follow our Lord and by our living in fellowship with Him. Faith lifts our eyes and hearts to see the heavenly city and all that the heavenly kingdom has planned for those who love the Lord. The more we think and speak of our Lord Jesus Christ, the bolder and stronger our faith becomes. Faith relies on the promises of God to the point that we can, in a measure, enter into the possession and enjoyment of them now. The anticipation of our future with God begins when we place our faith in Him.
Faith works by being confident in God’s promises, certain of God’s power, clear about God’s plans, acting on those promises, overcoming what is against us, and esteeming the Lord Jesus Christ above every other person, name, or authority.