Faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received
approval.
Abel, Enoch,
Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,
David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms,
administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of
lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength
out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women
received their dead by resurrection.
…Others were tortured, refusing to accept
release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking
and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death,
they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins
of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented—of whom the world was not
worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the
ground.
People listening to Jesus were confused by his saying, “it is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Their response was “Then who can be saved?” In Jewish tradition prosperity was
a blessing from God. From ancient times people associated blessings with
godliness, and suffering with sin. After sitting silent for seven days,
Job’s friend addressed his condition, “Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the
upright cut off?” Moses spoke to the people of Israe saying that they would
prosper if they kept the commandments of God. Mount Gerizim represented the
blessings for obedience and Mount Ebal the curses for disobedience.
The passage from Hebrews appears anomalous to Israel’s
beliefs on blessings and curses. The Psalmist said those who follow the law of
the Lord “are like trees
planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their
leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” And, “The face of the Lord is against evildoers to
cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for
help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.” Mount
Gerizim and Mount Ebal were in essence “the carrot and the stick.” Positive and
negative responses to how people conducted themselves. These were not absolute
laws as can be seen from numerous examples in scripture.
Jeremiah asked God “why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous
thrive?” The Psalmist adds “I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity
of the wicked; all in vain I have kept my heart clean and washed my hands in
innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, and am punished every
morning.” Habakkuk complained to God, “Why do you look with favor on those
who deal treacherously? Why are you silent when the wicked swallow up those
more righteous than they?”
God’s does not limit his love to those who serve him; “he makes his sun rise on the evil
and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” God’s
love extends to all people. The apostle John wrote saying “God is love.” James
in the opening passage of his letter said, “My brothers and sisters, whenever
you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy because you know
that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” He also wrote that God
doesn’t tempt anyone, and, “every generous act of giving, with every perfect
gift, is from above.” The greatest gift from God was his Son. Through the
suffering of Jesus believers are ensured of an eternal home.
Where
does suffering come from? Not from God! The situation for early Christians was
different than requirements today, but the principles given by Peter are sound.
“Cast all your anxiety on God, because he cares for you. Discipline
yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls
around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your
faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are
undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a
little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in
Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.”
The Devil
is responsible for suffering, pain and death, he is the enemy of every believer
and will do whatever he can to destroy faith in God. Humans are not able to
defeat Satan, that battle was won by Jesus. Our security is in God. Satan is in
the world today just as he was in the Garden of Eden as an option necessary for
our free of will.
God is our hope and strength:
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is
common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also,
so that you will be able to endure it.
Paul speaking for those who
suffered persecution, wrote:
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our
outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For
momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far
beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal,
but the things which are not seen are eternal.
To the Ephesians Paul wrote:
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of
his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against
enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour
of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done
everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth
around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes
for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of
peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be
able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in
the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep
alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Luke
recorded a conversation of Jesus in which he asked and answered a question, “Do
you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but
rather division!” In John’s gospel speaking to his disciples Jesus said, “Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” At a
later date while discussing his leaving Jesus told the disciples that they
would be scattered leaving him alone. He consoled the disciples saying, “Yet I
am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so
that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take
courage; I have conquered the world!”
Love,
peace, hope, and joy, are words used frequently in the late scriptures. Another
significant word is gospel, meaning good news. These are all positive words
which foster confidence and assurance. These are spiritual qualities based on
faith. Loving your dog is not the love of God. Peace in the world is not peace
of mind. Hoping for a warm summer day is not the hope of heaven. Faith is
Abraham when he was called, went out, not knowing where he was going. Not
knowing where he was going does not mean there was no destination, or that
Abraham was aimlessly wandering about. Abraham was told to leave his land and
go to the land that God would show him. Faith focuses on the destination not on
the journey.
