By Rev. J. Loren Russell, BA, MDiv
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Faith is what my column, my radio show, and my book is all about. The writer of Hebrews is not known, but one thing is certain, the book was written to encourage his readers to stand firm in their faith. The writer does not try to prove that God exists, he simply presents from the perspective that He does. He talks/writes to followers of Christ who were considering going back to Judaism. The persecution was discouraging them, so he writes to encourage them to remain faithful no matter what they were going through. They were told that the same God who raised Jesus from the grave would “make them complete in every good work to do His will, working in [you] what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb. 13:21). They were encouraged to stand firm in their faith!
As I thought about what it means to keep your faith today, I thought about the fact that God expects our faith, while at the same time, our faith depends on God (6:1-3). He expects us to be faithful so that others can see His promise, His love, His grace and His mercy working in and through us. Since He promised “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life,” (John 3:15), it seems reasonable that He would use His faithful followers to develop a curiosity that makes others want to know more about Him. Knowing that He gives us a spirit “of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7), our faith helps us live more faithfully, more courageously, and more boldly. Exercised faith is the spiritual bond between God and His people; a remarkable power that wins God’s divine approval.
Faith melds the chronological time-space framework that we live into God’s Kairos time perspective. This should be what we hope and long for, what we live and die for. Perhaps the writer wanted us to understand that at the very beginning of the book when he writes, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
It’s possible with faith!
Be Blessed +++
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial &. Strategic Consulting, and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen by phone” at 626-226-1448. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The Book at Book Blues.
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