“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6,11-12 (NIV) |
Hebrews 6,12 gives a clue on how to inherit the promises of God.
The notion of inheritance is mentioned many times throughout the Bible.
We'll use these definitions: Inheritance is SOMETHING GIVEN (by right), To inherit is TO TAKE POSSESSION.
All the great and wonderful promises of God are Yes in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1,20). However, to take possession; to see the manifestation of these promises requires faith and patience.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11,1(KJV)
Let’s have an illustration to better understand what faith is:
Paul gets a message on his phone from his bank saying that 5,000 dollars have been deposited to his account. This money is his. Paul decides that he’ll go to the bank the next day to withdraw the money.
Here, faith is the “substance” that makes Paul go to the bank the next day hoping to see and touch the 5,000 dollars. But what gave Paul this assurance? It’s the message from the bank: Paul has faith in his bank, he has faith that the bank’s message is accurate.
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God” Mark 11,22 (KJV) |
Faith in who God is. Faith in what He said.
This faith is "unfeigned" (1 Timothy 1,5)
Faith that is feigned is deceptive. Feigned faith will not bring results.
Unfeigned faith is not baseless. It’s not wishful thinking, positive thinking nor is it hopeful thinking.
True faith, the faith that will bring results is founded on the Word of God.
Suppose the 5,000 dollars were not deposited to Paul’s account. But Paul imagines that the money is on the account even though there were no prior deposits of any sort. If Paul goes to the bank to ‘withdraw’ the money he will be disappointed.
Is your faith in God? God will not fail you!
'"But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Romans 8,25(NKJV) |
