Trust and Obey
FEBRUARY 10, 2008 (SUNDAY)
A certain chapter of the Bible is called, “The Roll Call of Faith.” Do you know which one it is? Hint: New Testament. Second hint: Book of Hebrews. Third hint: Chapter 11. All out of hints. In this great chapter, many of the people of Biblical history who showed great faith are named.
When the roll call is completed, Chapter 12 takes up the theme with its first verse:
”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” The word, “witness” here means someone who witnesses to us, as in a court of law. Their lives continue to speak to us, even today.
A Biblical faith is a Christ-centered faith. The next verse tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, who began our faith, completes our faith, and is our supreme example of faith.
A Biblical faith is a disciplined faith (Hebrews 12:5-11). “Discipline” involves rewards as well as punishments. Perhaps “training” would be a better word, or maybe, “teaching.” At any rate, these verses show us how God disciplines his children, making their faith stronger, through the trials of life. We don’t say that God makes us suffer, but we know that he allows us to suffer. Eventually, our faith is strengthened thereby.
A Biblical faith is a practical faith, energizing us (verses 12-13), and freeing us from whatever might hinder us in Christian service (verse 1), drawing us to God and away from sin (verse 1).
The old hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.” That’s Biblical faith.
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(Compare this blog with the July 29, 2007 archive)