Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.^{. 2}This is what the ancients were commended for. ³ 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.

Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith”, because it demonstrates faith in action and because it deals with the interrelation of faith and hope. The community to whom Hebrews was written had undergone great hardship, including public ridicule, confiscation of property, and imprisonment (10:32-34). Because of the pressures put upon the community, some had apostatized (6:4-6), others avoided worship (10:25), still others were weary of the suffering and disheartened by the delay in the coming of the Lord.

In order to make his point, the author marshalls a cloud of witnesses. He talks about men and women who throughout the Scriptures, demonstrated lives of persevering faith in Christ and in the promises of God. He shows that these Ancients demonstrated that faith leads to understanding, that faith pleases God (Enoch), that faith leads to intimacy with God (Noah) and that faith means saying “yes” to God by seeing beyond this life.

The author concludes that each of these people of faith died not yet having received what was promised, but still believing.

What is the difference between faith and hope?

Faith is the result of current belief systems shaped by experience, whereas hope is the product of desiring a future state of affairs. One cannot have hope without faith.

Which comes first, hope or faith?

Faith comes first, then hope and then clarity. It seems a logical progression.

As our faith grows, we increase our study and knowledge and we begin to apply the principles of hope. Godly faith is a real trust in God.

Hebrews 11:1-3 reminds me of the Trinity: as fully man, Christ is able to identify with men and women in our sin; as fully God, he is able to take the full divine payment due, his humanity and deity make him uniquely able to save us from our sins.

In 2 Peter 1:5-9, the Bible details seven qualities that we should add to our faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and brotherly love. And, if we can add these qualities to our faith we will be fruitful and complete and lacking nothing. We have a long way ahead of us!

Let us conclude by quoting what St. Augustine says on faith: “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of faith is to see what you believe.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for taking on our burden of sin, so that through faith we can be saved and look forward to an eternity with you.