The Necessity of Faith

The Old Testament believers in Hebrews 11 are commended for a wide variety of righteous conduct.  Some displayed great courage, others were cheerful in suffering.  Self-denial, great personal sacrifice, and patience are among the many virtues celebrated in this catalog of saints.  But one grace shines over all the others—they were all commended for their faith.  This is the spiritual common denominator.  All of the other virtues depend on faith.  We see here a great many effects, some exactly the opposite of others, yet all are grounded on faith.  Verse 34 mentions those who by faith “escaped the edge of the sword,” while verse 37 includes those who “were put to death with the sword.”  God’s sovereign will for one Christian at one time may be the opposite of His  purpose for another; He treats us as individuals.  And yet faith will always be required of each of us.  Faith is so important because we receive all of the influences of the Holy Spirit by faith.  One of the most precious of His influences will be such an esteem of Christ that the worst that can befall us in His service will be better to us than the best things of the world.  We should take great care to daily nourish and maintain our faith.  More on that tomorrow.