“…we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” (Hebrews 12:1-4)
Previously, the writer of Hebrews listed dramatic examples of God’s use of faith. This included references to personal examples of faith, such as Abraham “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “in Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to RAISE HIM UP, EVEN FROM THE DEAD, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” (Hebrews 11:17-19), as well as some of the amazing feats which Old Testament believers were able to achieve, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. WOMEN RECEIVED THEIR DEAD RAISED TO LIFE AGAIN. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.” (Hebrews 11:30-35). And yet, this discussion also included mention of the hardships faced by these faithful ones, “Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mocking’s and scourging’s, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11:35-38). Amazingly, God’s love for us—those who are still able to hear and respond to the gospel today—is the reason He has waited to fully deliver His ultimate victory over sin and suffering, “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, DID NOT RECEIVE THE PROMISE, God having provided SOMETHING BETTER FOR US, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Hebrews 11:39-40).
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham