“By Faith”

Hebrews 11:1-5

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. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. – Heb. 11:1-5

Faith, as described in this passage, connects us to two valuable things: THINGS HOPED FOR and THINGS NOT SEEN. If you want good things you hope for in the future, of an eternal and spiritual nature – FAITH PROVIDES THAT ASSURNACE. If you want to know things you cannot see, of an eternal and spiritual nature – FAITH PROVIDES THAT ASSURANCE ALSO.

If I want to know what I cannot see, pertaining to my relationship with God. And, I want hope of eternal good – FAITH IS WHERE I GET THAT ASSURANCE. Faith assures of things we hope for and convinces us of things not seen.

This is how we form our convictions about God creating the world and making man in His own image. This is how Abel pleased God. This is how Enoch pleased God.

When we consider with a good and honest heart – all the evidence of God’s existence around us and we take His Word as truth – then act on His Word – that’s the activity of faith – that assures us of things we hope for and convinces us of things we cannot see.

If you want to please God and look forward to a good eternal outcome, it must be by faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).