“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Heb. 10:38-39).
These words summarize the major thrust of the book of Hebrews. The writer cites the Old Testament axiom of the just living by faith and those who are God’s people doing the same in that present time. Ponder three questions pertaining to personal faith and consider the overall question “How is your faith?”
1. How is the Earnestness of Your Heeding? The book of Hebrews begins with the exhortation of heeding. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (Heb. 2:1). Retaining what one has learned is key to a strong faith. The book of Hebrews begins with a series of details about the greatness of Christ over many highly respected facts and people of Hebrew history. Since faith is to be “toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21), then it is necessary to hold on intensely to the facts of the Lord. His deity, his sinless life, his infallible teaching, his death, burial and resurrection along with his ascension to heaven to serve as High Priest (cf. Heb. 8:1) are all facts that support faith in the heart of the believer. How strongly one holds to the facts and sees the practical implications of those facts says much about one’s faith.
2. How is the Exercising of Your Senses? When addressing the difference between one who is still a babe and one who is maturing in the faith, it is stated, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14). What one eats spiritually affects the inner man in every way. After having eaten the right things, one must then exercise them as a part of one’s sensibilities in order to profit. This physical allusion paints the clear picture that retention of information is heightened by practice of living. The Bible speaks of saving faith being a working faith (cf. James 2:14-26). The more one puts into practice the things learned in Scripture the more one knows by experience the truth of those principles. Memorizing and quoting verses of the Bible do not necessarily depict a strong faith. Remember that the devil can quote Scripture (cf. Matt. 4:6).
3. How is the Endurance of Your Willpower? It is further stated in Hebrews, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb. 6:11-12). Endurance is a theme in the book of Hebrews (cf. Heb. 11:25; 12:1-2). While facts of the faith hold the intellect and the love of God motivates the soul, the promises of God lead one to stay with the faith in Christ who will see the believer to the end. Whenever there is a lapse in dedication, one can often look at the patience or endurance of one struggling as a root cause. It is written, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Heb. 10:36). Pondering these thoughts, how is your faith?
Jimmy Clark