Embracing Faith (Hebrews 11 & 1 Corinthians 15)

Faith is something to be grasped and embraced. Faith is available to us, made available by a loving God who desires to have a relationship with each of his created beings. So, in one way, faith is a gift; but in another way it is something that has to be given life to … by us. We each have to come to that place where we actively believe in God and dedicate ourselves to God’s cause. So, while faith is about believing, it is also about being prepared to put that set of beliefs into action. Real faith is never passive, it is ‘active obedience’, and it is deep personal commitment. Faith concerns all of the directions of our lives. Our faith in God becomes the centre of our being, and the central point of all our decision-making.

However, faith is not necessarily easy to embrace; for it is largely based on what we cannot see (turning to Hebrews 11). We are dealing with realities for which there is no direct material evidence (which of course is the whole point of faith). While we cannot physically see or touch God, faith is based on a different sort of sight. We can start to see behind the obvious and beyond the material – to ‘what’ (actually ‘who’) lies behind all that exists. This is possible through the witness of those who have come before. As we reflect on what they have passed on to us and also on God’s written word, and as we start to sense God’s faithfulness to humanity – then we can become convinced of the “things not seen” (as referred to in Hebrews 11:1).

At the same time as we embrace the concept of faith, and take a few trusting steps forward, God will be revealing himself to us in a variety of ways; and we have the eyes to see that what is happening is special and unique and different from the norm. For God is not contained by the natural laws of the universe … after all it was God who put these in place. Faith is not necessarily contrary to human knowledge nor scientific understanding, but rather reaches further and digs deeper. So we have an inkling that God exists, and that God might be interested in us – we have a hope that this would be the case, and that life might really have meaning. Faith makes such hope as this a certainty; we now carry an inner certainty about this hope (Hebrews 11:1).

As Larry Richards comments: “Faith is confident expectation that what we cannot see is more solid and real that the material universe”. Richards goes on, “When you and I realise that God is the ultimate reality, and act on this conviction, we have a faith which makes a difference in our life, and will enable us to triumph”. But what is the centre of this faith in God? What is it specifically that makes all the difference to our lives?? What was it that God’s loving grace produced to make faith so beneficial … so beneficial that it leads to salvation?

I think it is best summed up by Paul in the first few verses of 1^st Corinthians chapter 15. It is on this that our faith stands; and it is through this that we are being saved (1 Cor. 15:1-2)! This is of “first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3a), this is the foundation … a group of happenings that form the centre of our faith. First is that Jesus died for our sins; which was previously indicated in the Hebrew Scriptures, and which also makes sense of all that has been revealed in scripture (1 Cor. 15:3b). There was the need for this act to once-and-for-all deal with our guilt and shame, so that we could have a fresh go at life. Secondly that Jesus was buried – noting for us that Jesus certainly died and was laid in a tomb (against all suggestions otherwise); if Jesus was to reappear then certainly this was a miraculous God-inspired resurrection (1 Cor. 15:4a). Thirdly that Jesus indeed, true to his own statements, was raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:4b). And fourth is that Jesus appeared to hundreds of people who have given testimony to this wonderful happening (1 Cor. 15:5-8). Some of Jesus’ first disciples did initially struggle with this concept of resurrection, but with some prompting and with eyes willing to see, they eventually changed the world because they knew with certainty that Jesus lived again.

The resurrection of Jesus means that suffering and death do not have the last say about human life. The resurrection of Jesus means that God has the ultimate victory over the power of sin in the world. This in turn means that no matter how bad things get, God can turn them around! A life of slavery to sin and darkness and despair, can be turned through grace and faith to a new life of eternal meaning and significance. Out with the old and in with the new! Jesus came to our place, so that we could come and live at his place! Although this does start with the one-off connection between a broken life and the cross of Jesus, we of course know that this will be an ongoing process of growing faith and experiencing salvation in more and more areas of our lives.

Without the eyes of faith, the unseen, remains unseen. Yet there is so much to see beyond the obvious and the immediate! Faith leads us to attribute the wonder of creation to God. Faith leads to a knowledge that God is present to us in the world. Faith leads to an appreciation that God dwells within our suffering. Faith leads to a confidence that God is seeking to progressively grow us into the image of Jesus. Faith leads to greater levels of commitment to God’s purposes in respect of our community and our neighbour. Faith leads to a surety that God hears and answers our prayers. Faith leads us to expect the unexpected. Faith leads us to accept God’s verdict.

So, faith is a way of life! Sometimes it becomes obvious that we don’t live to the same drum beat as most others … this is because we are listening to a different drummer!! “Faith that is authentic recognises the reality of the unseen and allows itself to be governed by that reality” (Donald A Hagner).