Please open your Bible to Hebrews 11.
Hebrews chapter eleven is known as “the hall of faith.” It is regularly referenced when people want to encourage others to have faith, for here we read what faith is, “... faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” - from Hebrews 11:1 LSB and we are able to read a long list of blessings, miracles, and acts of obedience that were based on faith. I am going to skip those uplifting portions of Scripture and start with a list of things beginning in the middle of verse 35.
“... others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and floggings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, mistreated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in desolate places and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” - from Hebrews 11:35-40 LSB
It is easy to desire to have faith that gives miraculous healings. It is easy to desire the faith that gives us our loved ones back from the dead by resurrection (in this life). It’s easy to desire faith that obtains promises here and now. But, what about the incredibly powerful faith we read about in Hebrews 11:35-40? Do you desire to have that kind of faith? Are you willing to have that depth of faith? I want my faith to be like theirs, I want my faith to be one that is strong enough to endure and carry me through torture, mockings, floggings, chains, imprisonment, stoning, even being sawn in two, temptations, death, destitution, affliction, and mistreatment. Yes, this is powerful faith that testifies to a greater hope than what is found in this life. This is the faith that I want to have and this is the kind of faith that I want to model for my children and for my sisters in Christ.
How can we have this faith and endurance? The Scriptures do not lead us without guidance.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3 LSB
Further exhortation and instruction can be found a few verses away in Hebrews 12:12-16.
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of join, but rather healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord, seeing to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that also there be no sexually immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. - Hebrews 12:12-16 LSB
Theologians disagree on whether the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us are those who have gone before us into the heavens or if it refers to those who are living around us here in the present, regardless of which it refers to, we do have a cloud of witness that are living around us here and now and we have the ability to shine before them as lights in this dark world, pointing them to His goodness, truth, and grace.
What is our instruction? How can we have a faith that endures great trials and sufferings?
Remember that you are an ambassador for Christ, a living testimony to those around you.
Lay aside every single weight and sin that keeps you from running this race well.
Fix your eyes on Jesus, trusting in Him, and enduring as He endured.
Remember the joy set before you in Christ, eternal hope, life, and security is yours.
Work towards strengthening and healing every part of your spiritual life that is weak and feeble.
Pursue peace with all.
Submit to and pursue the Holy Spirit's sanctification in your life.
Live in the grace of God.
Do not let bitterness take root in your heart and mind for it defiles you and spreads to others.
Sexual immorality should have no place in your heart or mind in any way at any time.
Don’t let yourself become godless, irreverent, and idolatrous, prioritizing the flesh in the here and now over the spiritual.
When you read the list above, are you aware that you are weak or guilty of sin in any of those things mentioned? If so, start today to cut out that sin, begin the work of digging up that root of bitterness, strengthen your weak places, surrender and pursue complete sanctification. If change is necessary, start today for the day of our Lord’s return draws ever nearer and if He delays it is because has good work for us to do and more souls to be saved.
Make sure that your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have’ for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” - Hebrews 13:5-6 LSB
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