Developing Strong Faith in God: The Infinite Returns

FOCUS TEXT: Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 11:1-3; Hebrews 6

Developing strong faith in God is essential for us as Christians. Strong faith is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of the believer and an invaluable resource. Indeed, faith is a means of manifestation through supernatural means; one that is powerful enough to defeat death and enable mere humans to bring pleasure to the Almighty God. The author of Hebrews writes at length about these truths, encouraging us to persevere – to be unwavering – in our faith in God.

Today, we consider specifically the charge given in Hebrews chapters 10 and 11; as well as outline a few key results of steadfast faith. We also confirm the answer to the question: “What is faith?”

Are you ready to get started? Then open your notebook, grab your Bible, and turn with me to Hebrews 10:19-22 (KJV). It reads,

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, this is to say, His flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

THE CHARGE TO PERSEVERE IN DEVELOPING STRONG FAITH

It is immediately evident, from the language used in the passage, that the speaker is one mature in the faith. The author speaks of “boldness” and a “full assurance of faith.” This is the type of faith he is calling the readers to persevere in. Boldness being confidence or complete persuasion of one’s beliefs, and a full assurance indicating that there is no room for doubt. He compels us to hold fast to a faith strong enough to take us to the finish.

But how does one build such strong faith in God?

To answer that, let’s jump over to Romans 10:17 (KJV). Here, scripture reveals that, “… faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

So, we understand that we develop faith in God by hearing the preached word of God. This is, of course, an external sound. However, I believe “hearing” also encompasses the internal sounds that come with studying and meditating on scripture – when we also hear directly from the Holy Spirit.

This faith that “comes” is not merely a one-time receiving of a static measure of belief. Rather, the more we seek God – and learn of Him, His principles, promises, and so on; the more our faith is compounded. Steadfast or strong faith, then, is the cumulative effect of our commitment to God. It is the result of deep relationship with Christ.

So, what is the significance of developing strong faith in God?

DEVELOPING STRONG FAITH IS THE KEY TO ETERNAL LIFE

Strong faith will cause the remnant to not only believe, but to abide in that most holy faith until the end. The word ‘abide’ holds the connotation of ‘tenacity’ and ‘in spite of.’ It points to a faith that can withstand temptations and trials – a faith that endures. Indeed, Matthew 24:13 (KJV) states clearly that it is the one who endures to the end that shall be saved.

Hebrews 11:1-6 reveals several more key results of steadfast faith. Let’s consider the passage verse by verse.

STRONG FAITH AFFECTS THE SUPERNATURAL TO PRODUCE NATURAL RESULTS

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Faith is the material out of which we produce the things we hope for – our assurance is that great! Indeed, faith makes manifest God’s word, our declarations, and wishes. It turns the spiritual into physical and affects the natural by the supernatural.

We can draw a parallel here using verse 3, which reminds us that the universe also appeared from nothing but the word of God (see Genesis chapter 1). In that same way, when we believe that God really made us in His image and likeness, we are confident to affect the unseen by speaking God’s word.

Faith produces. It produces dreams and visions, and it produces faith in others through our testimony. Therefore, we should seek more and more for an abundance of faith. This is what separates the gospel from all other teachings. It is impossible to please God, to walk in God, without some measure of faith.

“Now faith is …” Faith is. It brings whatever it touches into existence. Your faith gives it its identity in the natural and brings it to life.

“When you apply faith to a situation, it has no choice but to become what your faith demands of it.”

Vanessa w. mcintosh

Because faith has the power to shift circumstances, it causes us to obtain a good report. That is to say that when everything seems to be going wrong and things are looking grim, strong faith in the promises of God causes things in our temporal world to respond according to those promises. Strong faith demands everything come into submission to God’s word over our lives: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, KJV).”

STRONG FAITH CAUSES US TO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD AS THE ULTIMATE CREATOR

³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Oftentimes we wonder how the world was made. Well, John tells us that,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made (John 1:1-3, King James Version).

Our human minds cannot comprehend God’s creative power – though we never cease to try. There is no way to understand the complex nature of our universe, only by developing strong faith in He who created it. Sometimes, developing strong faith in God means trusting what we do not understand.

Once we believe in the Creator, we are no longer preoccupied with such thoughts because we know that it was all done by His hand; and even if He were to explain it to us and show us the blueprint, we would not be able to fathom it. The scripture reminds us in Isaiah 55:9 (KJV): “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

DEVELOPING STRONG FAITH ENABLES US TO ENDURE GREAT DIFFICULTIES

In Hebrews 10:32-34 the author writes:

“Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.“

Here, we see that these people of faith were not without affliction. Choosing to follow Christ did not absolve them of trials and persecution; however, they had faith strong enough to suffer “joyfully.” It was this faith that became their testimony and, eventually, an encouragement to believers today. We are reminded not to abandon our faith in God for “it holds a great reward (Hebrews 10:35, BSB).”

STRONG FAITH INSPIRES GENEROSITY

Abel was, perhaps, the earliest biblical example of this:

⁴ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

With faith in our God as provider, we are sure that He will meet our needs and sustain us. This knowledge allows us to give freely and bless others who may have a need. It allows us the freedom to offer a sincere sacrifice to God that He can honor – one that pleases Him. Faith like this also blesses us, for surely as we give, we will receive. The seeds that we plant will surely bring forth good fruit. So, as our faith allows us to sow in abundance, we shall also reap abundantly. Furthermore, our faith can remain as a testimony, a source of encouragement to others, even after we are dead.

STRONG FAITH TRUMPS DEATH

This is the ultimate victory of our faith. Indeed, this is that “great reward” mentioned in Hebrews 10:35 – that we have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Verse 5 of our focus text reads:

⁵ By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

What a faith! Our faith can so please God that we can be raptured away from this world. And even if we are not raptured, but die physically, we still do not feel the sting of death. Our faith gives us hope that we have died to our bodies but not our spirits, and we shall live eternally with our Maker in the home He has prepared for the believers in Christ.

This is why the apostle Paul could boldly challenge: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55-57, KJV).”

In verse 58, Paul gives this final admonishment: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

STRONG FAITH MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO PLEASE GOD

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 10:38 (BSB) adds, “But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in Him.” The righteous are marked not by a lukewarm faith but by faith strong enough not to “shrink back.” God tells us in His word that the ones who shrink back are destroyed, but those who have faith “preserves their souls (Hebrews 10:39, BSB).”

So, no matter how many wonderful things we claim to do in the name God, if we do not believe, we bring no glory to the Father. We must place our belief in Him as the one, true God. We must trust in His promises and remain confident that He will respond to our sincere hearts. This is pleasing to God!

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Go in faith!

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