Hebrews 11 English Standard Version
By Faith
11 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. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Hebrews 11 is called the faith chapter of the bible. From the beginning of this chapter it addresses our issue of creation but that is not all. It declares that faith itself is the proof we need. The second comment relates to the reputation of the individuals that use their faith, they become commendable.
This would indicate the first result of using faith in the right way. Let us continue.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
God is the one commending Abel for his act of faith. God accounted Abel’s act of faith as righteousness. This issue of sacrifice shows up early in the bible and the driving force behind Abel’s sacrifice was faith. Reading Genesis 4 we will discover that Abel was a shepherd. He kept sheep, he cared for them. Abel sacrificed something he cared about.
Cain on the other hand sacrificed his crops, the labor of his hands. It was work produced, not faith produced. We will find other comparisons within the bible pitting works against faith. Those things we will explore later. For now we must associate faith to God’s reaction to the correct use of faith.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
The common link between Abel and Enoch is an unseen force driving their actions, faith.