The Heroes of Faith [Protestant Caucus/Devotional]

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval" (Heb. 11:1-2).

Hebrews 11 has been called "The Heroes of Faith," "The Faith Chapter," "The Saints' Hall of Fame," "The Honor Roll of the Old Testament Saints," and "The Westminster Abbey of Scripture." Those are appropriate titles because this chapter highlights the virtues of faith as demonstrated in the lives of great Old Testament saints. It also reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Such a reminder was necessary for the first-century Hebrew people because Judaism had abandoned true faith in God for a legalistic system of works righteousness. Its message is valid today since our devotion to Christ can easily degenerate into a religion of rules and regulations.

While affirming the primacy of faith, the writer of Hebrews doesn't undermine the importance of righteous works. Quite the contrary. He exhorts us "to stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (10:24) and to pursue holiness so others will see Christ in us and be drawn to Him (12:14).

Yet righteous works are the by-product of true salvation, not its means. As the apostle Paul wrote, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). Apart from faith, all attempts to please God through good works alone are as useless and offensive to Him as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). That's why Paul gladly set all his Jewish legalistic practices aside, counting them as rubbish. He wanted only "the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith" (Phil. 3:9).

This month we'll study the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11. As we do, remember they weren't perfect people. But their faith was exemplary and by it they gained God's approval. I pray that's true of you as well.

Undoubtedly you know people who are trying to please God by their own efforts. Pray for them and take every opportunity to tell them of true salvation through faith in Christ.

Select one of the individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 and read the Old Testament account of his or her life.

I prefer the word Trust over Faith. Trust is something you continue to do.

Agreed. In the Amplified translation whenever you see the Greek word "pisteuo" (believes, as in John 3:16) it's translated with the word "trust". John 3:16's is "...whosoever believes and trusts in Him..."

I find it fascinating, however to look at how the two words "pisteuo" and "pistis" are used in the New Testament. In the Strong's concordance the definitions of the two look similar with the main difference being pisteuo is a verb (think John 3:16) and pistis is a noun (think of the countless times Jesus said your faith has healed you). But if you look at the context of how they are usually used: https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/pisteuo.html
https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/pistis.html

Click on each link, scroll to the bottom to the verse count section, and click on each book the word is used in to see the verses those words are in and what the subject matter is about.
One could say that pistis faith is usually more about miracles and spiritual gifts, while pisteuo is more about salvation and which creed you follow. If I'm right, and that's an if, us Christians (people who already pisteuo) shouldn't be satisfied with just that. We should pray for God's Spirit to give us more pistis (Lord help my unbelief) for the world changing pistis faith that brings miracles and other spiritual gifts. Pistis faith is, after all, a spiritual gift listed in what some scholars call the "miraculous gifts" of 1st Corinthians 12 (written to the church in Corinth, people who were already believers -- pisteuo).

So yes to cowboyusa's use of the word "trust" over "faith" as often more accurate in terms of keeping on living it like we mean it. But at the same time, don't be satisfied with stopping there. We should daily call on God to give us His Spirit for miraculous pistis faith with an attitude of impacting others (read Paul's deep dive in 1st Corinthians 14 of spiritual gifts edifying others being better than gifts edifying just the individual, with two chapters prior listing many miraculous gifts, but chapter 13 nestled between the two being the love chapter to keep all of it in the broader context).

Prayer For A Deeper Faith And Love For Jesus

Father, as we recall the steadfast faith and hope in God that so many of the great cloud of witnesses displayed in Hebrews chapter eleven and elsewhere, we pray that we too may follow their example and place our entire faith in Your precious Word. May we develop an ever deepening trust in You, knowing that Your Word is faithful and true. May we be nourished by the Word of God day by day and be refreshed with rivers of living water that stream into our hearts from above, so that whatsoever we do will be pleasing to the Lord and glorify His name.

Thank You that in Christ, we have been forgiven of all our sins and delivered from the power of sin in our lives. May we pass on a trust in the Lord Jesus to our children and children’s children, so that in the next generations a living trust in God may be their witness to the world and faith in His Word may be a testimony that will also pass on to all their children.

Keep us standing firm in truth of God’s Word that has been delivered to us by our Father in heaven, and keep us steadfast and true to all that we have learned of Your grace and mercy. May our lives demonstrate an ever deepening love for You, until that glorious day when we are taken to be with You in heaven. This we pray in Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayer-for-a-deeper-faith-and-love-for-jesus-1230

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