We serve an awesome God! Throughout the old and new covenants, Almighty God was continually revealing Himself to us. In the old, 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. (Hebrews 11:1:3) We also read about those whose faith was paramount in changing the world in which they lived.
Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain -- by which he obtained witness that he was righteous. (Hebrews 11:4)
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and he was not found because God had translated him for pleasing Him. (Hebrews 11:5)
By faith Noah became the heir of righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked for a city which had no foundations -- whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)
Through faith, Sara herself received strength to conceive and delivered a child when she was past age, because she had judged Him faithful who had promised. (Hebrews 11:11)
By faith also Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. And others who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought 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, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
All of these, and others, "of whom the world was not worthy, they wandered in deserts and mountains and dens and caves of the earth, and these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promise." (Hebrews 11:39)
But God having foreordained His plan of salvation before the beginning of the world was determined to provide some better thing for us -- whereby He declares peace and good will to all men.
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
A gift that included shedding His precious holy blood on a cross so that we might have life everlasting. Still, these giants of faith, "having obtained a good report through faith -- received not the promise; God having provided a better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:39-40)
Yet, the scriptures are clear also on this point. That is, "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 11:6)
How do we seek Him? Through His Word, 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God -- for consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in you minds." (Hebrews 12:1-3)
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God -- but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death -- even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name -- that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow ... and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:5-11)
Stand in the offering plate.
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