Old Post from 2007: "Being a Man of Faith: Hebrews 10:39-13:21"

Ten Steps to Becoming a Man of Faith:

"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 10:39-11:1

I was reading today in Hebrews 11 about faith. It's very easy to just sit back and read through chapter 11, the "faith chapter", and not really pull anything out of it. I've done it countless times before.

But then the other night, Jamee, Nick, and I had a discussion on faith, and what it really means to have faith, and how our faith shows.

It was intriguing, and so the first place I came to explore was "the faith chapter".

So, the responsibility of being faithful? It runs deeper than most Christians would ever imagine. Most Christians would agree that they have "faith", but Paul has other ideas of what it means to have faith.

He starts it off powerfully, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe, and are saved." (He.10:39) He's setting it up. "If you're going to be a man of faith," he says,"you can't be weak. You can't shrink back. You have to know what you believe."

So what is faith?

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (He.11:1)

"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." (He.11:3)

Faith is being confident, because we know where we came from. Faith is being strong, because we know that Someone stronger is in control.

Then Paul leads into recalling the experiences of some very great men of faith. By faith Noah did this... By faith, Abraham did this, and this, and this. He goes on to tell of the things faith in our King accomplishes, about people "who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised." (He.11:33)

But it doesn't stop there: "who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword;"(11:34)

Powerful stuff, yes? There is more: "whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." (11:34)

It doesn't stop. Paul goes on to talk about how through faith people were raised from the dead, others endured torture and refused to be released; others endured flogging, others prison. They endured being stoned, being sawed in two, and death by the sword.

They were "destitute, persecuted, and mistreated" (11:37); "the world was not worthy of them."(11:38) "These were all commended for their faith". (11:39)

And then Paul lays it down: "Therefore"; anytime Paul said therefore, people turned to listen. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses", all those he just described as having great faith, "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."(12:1)

So, step one of being a man of faith: Knowing who you are.

Step two? Getting rid of the stuff that can hold you down.

Step three is simple, but most of the time, we Christians have jumbled up number two, and are so weighed down, that we can't manage it. Fix our eyes on Jesus.

"Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (12:3)

Step Four? "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons." (12:7)

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (12:11)

Step five will be difficult, but it is vitally important to your walking in faith: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy". (12:14)

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe". (12:28)

Step six? Being thankful and worshiping God.

Step seven: "Keep on loving each other as brothers." (13:1)

Step eight: "Do not be carried away" (13:9)

Being thankful, worshiping God, and loving each other as brothers seem to flow pretty easy most of the time. Most Christians wouldn't think too much about those.

But how many Christians wake up each day and prepare themselves so that they won't be carried away? Not many, I'm afraid.

Paul then goes on to say, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others" (13:16), almost sounding like a mother sending her child off to kindergarten. But, in truth, this is vitally important!

How often do we get so busy, and wrapped up in the world around us that forget about this command? "Do not forget to do good"?

This whole list of things has been Paul reminding the brotherhood how vitally important it is to prepare themselves each day!

He finishes up with one more that is vital to the walk: "Pray for us."(13:18) Pray for the brotherhood!

Paul's conclusion? "May the God of peace... equip you with everything good for doing His will." (13:20-21)

We've got to step up and be men of faith, and then God will equip us to do His will.

Step One: Know who you are.
Step Two: Get rid of the stuff that will hold you down.
Step Three: Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Step Four: Endure hardship as discipline.
Step Five: Strive to live at peace and be holy.
Step Six: Be thankful and worship God.
Step Seven: Love each other as brothers.
Step Eight: Do not be carried away.
Step Nine: Do not forget to do good.
Step Ten: Pray for the brotherhood.