Hebrews 11:1-2 English Standard Version

By Faith

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

The faith chapter of Hebrews is interesting if we look at how faith worked in the lives of others and the results of acting by faith. Let us not confuse the commendation of man with the commendation of Father God.

Faith is a spiritual concept that plays a significant role in our lives. There is a faith that is not spiritual in nature. A geyser in Yellowstone National Park is called Old Faithful because it spews hot water high in the air on a predictable cycle. That is not faith, that is dependable.

Hope also has two sides. By faith hope is seen as the promises of God that have not yet come to pass. On the other side is a hope for what we want that has nothing to do with faith.

Conviction by faith comes from the spirit. Convictions in the world come from well known sources, magistrates, prosecutors, judges and juries.

Because there are two sides to everything, we must ask ourselves if what we do is to seek the commendation of man or Father God?

There was only one Moses, only one Elijah, only one Noah but there are millions of Christians.

Ephesians 4:4-6 English Standard Version

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

That does not make us special in the world, only special in the eyes of Father God because of faith.