2 Cor.3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Our life “in Christ”, going from glory to glory is a journey of faith. Growing in faith is a prerequisite for the Glory of God – Holy Spirit - to increase in and through us. Growing in faith requires sensitivity and intimacy with Holy Spirit – to hear His voice and respond through His power. Rom.10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The “word of God” here is “rhema” which is the spoken word of God through Holy Spirit. Rhema is a “now word” coming from the “Logos” – Lord Jesus Christ and never violates His scriptures.
For faith to grow we must know faith’s definition, operation and results. We are called to do the impossible, but faith begins in our lives through small steps. Participating in God’s healings of headaches and sprained ankles precedes healings of the lame and cancers. Experience is essential for “growing in faith”; not just obtaining information about faith. Faith transcends natural limitations. The kingdom principle of “little is more” was demonstrated by Jesus on several occasions; most notably in the feeding of the 5,000, then the 4,000 men plus women and children. Jesus Christ viewed life through the eye of faith. He never saw “little” as a liability, but as a “possibility”! As we grow in faith, we gain a faith mindset and perceive life from an elevated perspective where we have been made to “sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph.2:6). Faith now becomes the force that can take a little and make it more than enough, overflowing in abundance.
Have you ever wondered why the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob dwelled in tents when God promised them land? Perhaps Abraham instilled in them the principle that they were looking for a “city… whose builder and maker was God” (Heb. 11:9-10). As the “father of faith”, Abraham instinctively understood that God’s promises were first manifested in the unseen, Spirit realm. The “city” Abraham looked for was the eternal city of the kingdom of God – fullness of life in Holy Spirit, not some temporal city built by men that would someday perish.
People of faith today, just as father Abraham, live in tents of another kind – the human kind, knowing that our outer tent will someday perish, but we also will find our glorified body and be clothed in eternity.
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is known as the faith chapter. I believe much of faith’s operation and purpose can be gleaned here.
Heb. 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith begins with vision – “things hoped for”; more specifically, white hot expectation. Faith is a Spiritual force which enters your future, apprehends your vision (the object of your hope) and pulls it back into your present. Faith ascends into the unseen Spirit realm where “all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Cor. 1:20); then transports the answer back into this natural realm where it becomes “substance” and “evidence”.
Heb. 11:2, “For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.”
The patriarchs walked by faith carrying the unseen covenant promises of God in a world filled with pagan idols and demon worship.
Heb.11:3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which can be seen.”
Faith created through the Word of God – Lord Jesus Christ (Gen. 1:3-24; Jn. 1:1-4, 14). Man, made in His image and likeness, creates in the same manner – through believing and speaking the invisible word which carries the power to create the object of faith (Mk. 11:22-24; Rom. 10:10; 2 Cor. 4:13).
Heb. 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”
Faith in God causes righteous sacrifices which have eternal consequences.
Heb. 11:5, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
Faith transforms us and transports us into heavenly realms.
Heb. 11:6 - “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Faith in God is the primary attribute which pleases Him.
Heb.11:7 – “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Faith hears and obeys God’s warnings.
Heb. 11:8 – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going:”
Faith obeys what it cannot see.
Heb. 11:9 – “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”
Faith is willing to be unique.
Heb. 11:10 - “for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Faith sees into the eternal realm for what God is doing.
Heb. 11:11 – “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
Faith conceives in impossible circumstances.
Heb. 11:12 – “Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
Faith causes multiplication.
Heb. 11:13 – “These all died in faith, not having received the promises , but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Faith “sees” with spiritual vision that which is in the future.
Heb. 11:14 – 16 – “For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had an opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Faith seeks the kingdom of God, never to return to earthly security.
Heb. 11: 17 – “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son”
Faith is willing to sacrifice in obedience to God.
Heb. 11:18 – “of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’”
Faith discerns promised seed from products of the flesh.
Heb. 11:19 – “concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”
Faith believes in resurrection power.
Heb. 11:20 – “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.”
Faith prepares for the future.
Heb. 11:21 – “by faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.”
Faith worships God for His faithfulness for a lifetime.
Heb. 11:22 – “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.”
Faith anticipates the resurrection from the dead.
Heb. 11:23 – “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.”
Faith is fearless in the face of persecution.
Heb. 11: 24 –26 - “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
Faith would rather suffer for truth than prosper in evil.
Heb. 11: 27 – “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Faith fears no man.
Heb. 11:28 – ‘By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”
Faith rests in the protective power of Almighty God.
Heb. 11: 29 – “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.”
Faith sees victory over enemies.
Heb. 11:30 – “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days”
Faith breaks through every barrier standing in the way of God’s plan and promise.
Heb. 11:31 – “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”
Faith transforms sinners.
Heb. 11:32-34 – “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me totell 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 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.”
Faith creates Difference Makers, enduring persecution to serve God’s greater purpose.
Heb. 11:35-37 – “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 and scourging, 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.”
Faith abides in glory no matter the surroundings and circumstances.
Heb. 11:39 – “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise”
Faith pursues the eternal- not the temporary.
Heb. 11:40 – “God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”
Faith’s family grows from “glory to glory just as by Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).
Faith lives beyond the circumstances of this present evil world to receive the eternal promises of God; penetrates the Spiritual realm containing infinite possibilities. Faith embraces the eternal realm to gain authority over the temporal so we can be delivered from it!
Faith elevates believers so we can see Him as He is. Amen.
Our life “in Christ”, going from glory to glory is a journey of faith. Growing in faith is a prerequisite for the Glory of God – Holy Spirit - to increase in and through us. Growing in faith requires sensitivity and intimacy with Holy Spirit – to hear His voice and respond through His power. Rom.10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The “word of God” here is “rhema” which is the spoken word of God through Holy Spirit. Rhema is a “now word” coming from the “Logos” – Lord Jesus Christ and never violates His scriptures.
For faith to grow we must know faith’s definition, operation and results. We are called to do the impossible, but faith begins in our lives through small steps. Participating in God’s healings of headaches and sprained ankles precedes healings of the lame and cancers. Experience is essential for “growing in faith”; not just obtaining information about faith. Faith transcends natural limitations. The kingdom principle of “little is more” was demonstrated by Jesus on several occasions; most notably in the feeding of the 5,000, then the 4,000 men plus women and children. Jesus Christ viewed life through the eye of faith. He never saw “little” as a liability, but as a “possibility”! As we grow in faith, we gain a faith mindset and perceive life from an elevated perspective where we have been made to “sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph.2:6). Faith now becomes the force that can take a little and make it more than enough, overflowing in abundance.
Have you ever wondered why the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob dwelled in tents when God promised them land? Perhaps Abraham instilled in them the principle that they were looking for a “city… whose builder and maker was God” (Heb. 11:9-10). As the “father of faith”, Abraham instinctively understood that God’s promises were first manifested in the unseen, Spirit realm. The “city” Abraham looked for was the eternal city of the kingdom of God – fullness of life in Holy Spirit, not some temporal city built by men that would someday perish.
People of faith today, just as father Abraham, live in tents of another kind – the human kind, knowing that our outer tent will someday perish, but we also will find our glorified body and be clothed in eternity.
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is known as the faith chapter. I believe much of faith’s operation and purpose can be gleaned here.
Heb. 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith begins with vision – “things hoped for”; more specifically, white hot expectation. Faith is a Spiritual force which enters your future, apprehends your vision (the object of your hope) and pulls it back into your present. Faith ascends into the unseen Spirit realm where “all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Cor. 1:20); then transports the answer back into this natural realm where it becomes “substance” and “evidence”.
Heb. 11:2, “For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.”
The patriarchs walked by faith carrying the unseen covenant promises of God in a world filled with pagan idols and demon worship.
Heb.11:3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which can be seen.”
Faith created through the Word of God – Lord Jesus Christ (Gen. 1:3-24; Jn. 1:1-4, 14). Man, made in His image and likeness, creates in the same manner – through believing and speaking the invisible word which carries the power to create the object of faith (Mk. 11:22-24; Rom. 10:10; 2 Cor. 4:13).
Heb. 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”
Faith in God causes righteous sacrifices which have eternal consequences.
Heb. 11:5, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
Faith transforms us and transports us into heavenly realms.
Heb. 11:6 - “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Faith in God is the primary attribute which pleases Him.
Heb.11:7 – “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Faith hears and obeys God’s warnings.
Heb. 11:8 – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going:”
Faith obeys what it cannot see.
Heb. 11:9 – “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”
Faith is willing to be unique.
Heb. 11:10 - “for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Faith sees into the eternal realm for what God is doing.
Heb. 11:11 – “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
Faith conceives in impossible circumstances.
Heb. 11:12 – “Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
Faith causes multiplication.
Heb. 11:13 – “These all died in faith, not having received the promises , but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Faith “sees” with spiritual vision that which is in the future.
Heb. 11:14 – 16 – “For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had an opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Faith seeks the kingdom of God, never to return to earthly security.
Heb. 11: 17 – “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son”
Faith is willing to sacrifice in obedience to God.
Heb. 11:18 – “of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’”
Faith discerns promised seed from products of the flesh.
Heb. 11:19 – “concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”
Faith believes in resurrection power.
Heb. 11:20 – “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.”
Faith prepares for the future.
Heb. 11:21 – “by faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.”
Faith worships God for His faithfulness for a lifetime.
Heb. 11:22 – “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.”
Faith anticipates the resurrection from the dead.
Heb. 11:23 – “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.”
Faith is fearless in the face of persecution.
Heb. 11: 24 –26 - “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
Faith would rather suffer for truth than prosper in evil.
Heb. 11: 27 – “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Faith fears no man.
Heb. 11:28 – ‘By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”
Faith rests in the protective power of Almighty God.
Heb. 11: 29 – “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.”
Faith sees victory over enemies.
Heb. 11:30 – “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days”
Faith breaks through every barrier standing in the way of God’s plan and promise.
Heb. 11:31 – “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”
Faith transforms sinners.
Heb. 11:32-34 – “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me totell 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 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.”
Faith creates Difference Makers, enduring persecution to serve God’s greater purpose.
Heb. 11:35-37 – “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 and scourging, 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.”
Faith abides in glory no matter the surroundings and circumstances.
Heb. 11:39 – “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise”
Faith pursues the eternal- not the temporary.
Heb. 11:40 – “God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”
Faith’s family grows from “glory to glory just as by Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).
Faith lives beyond the circumstances of this present evil world to receive the eternal promises of God; penetrates the Spiritual realm containing infinite possibilities. Faith embraces the eternal realm to gain authority over the temporal so we can be delivered from it!
Faith elevates believers so we can see Him as He is. Amen.