Hebrews 11:1-12

Faith treats the things hoped for as a fact and places confidence today in what has been promised for the future. It is an absolute conviction - based on the assurance of God’s unchangeable and perfect character - that God’s promises will be fulfilled. For the unbeliever, “Seeing is believing.” For the believer, “Believing is seeing” (Rom. 8:24; 2 Cor. 4:18; 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:8-9).

11:3 | Behind the physical reality of the universe lies a greater reality: the invisible God who has created all things by His word (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 33:6-9; John 1:3; 2 Pet. 3:5). Faith helps mankind understand the universe in a way that science cannot, giving particular insight into its Creator and Designer.

11:4 | Abel may seem like a strange candidate for the Hall of Faith because Scripture records none of his words. But Abel offered a sacrifice that pleased God. Not only was it the first and best of what he had, as God required, but it demonstrated his trust in God’s ways (Gen. 4:1-8; 1 John 3:11-12).

11:5 | Enoch was seventh in the line of Adam and the great-grandfather of Noah. Genesis says he “walked with God” (Gen. 5:21-24); here the writer says he pleased God. Enoch lived in a time of wicked rebellion that would culminate int he Flood. yet he was faithful to God and in constant relationship with Him all his days. Unlike Abel, Enoch did not see death.

11:6 | Not only does faith bring insight and confidence that are otherwise unavailable, the believer must have it to even please God. True faith is not just a passive belief that He exists (although that is essential); it also actively seeks Him and His will (Isa. 55:6; Jer. 29:13; Amos 5:4; Matt. 6:33; 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 2:20) and looks to the future, boldly believing that God will reward His faithful people.

11:7 | By the time of the Flood, humanity’s wickedness had so grieved God that He was “sorry that He had made man on the earth” (Gen. 6:5-7). But Noah and his family found grace in the eyes of God. God’s grace, not Noah’s righteousness, saved him. He demonstrated faith by not allowing the world’s corruption and opposition to carry him away and boldy proclaiming God’s righteousness (2 Pet. 2:5). God calls people today to do the same (1 Pet. 2:9-12).