Faith To Faith—What Is It?

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. For by it the people of old received God’s commendation. By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God.” Hebrews 11:1-5 NET

What is faith? Throughout my life, I have encountered many interpretations of faith. Most of these views suggest that faith is something we can create. I believe this perspective is flawed. If we could simply construct our own faith, then the death of Jesus would be unnecessary. In Christian theology, Jesus's death is often viewed as a necessary sacrifice due to our inability to achieve perfection. If we could just become better people, pleasing to God through our actions, then there would be no need for such a sacrifice.

Faith, at its core, is anchored in the supernatural—the unseen realm that transcends our physical limitations. It calls us to trust in promises that lie beyond our immediate perception. True faith means believing that God empowers us to trust in Him, even when our own strength fails us. It is an invitation to rely on divine assurance in a world where human effort alone cannot suffice.

The essence of faith lies in trusting what is beyond our sight. Take electricity, for example. We understand that electrons flow through metallic wires, generating power for many applications. This remarkable ability to harness electricity allows us to light our spaces, operate machinery, and provide warmth. However, this brings us to deeper questions: Where does this power come from? What fundamental laws govern the movement of electrons, enabling them to transfer energy in a predictable and reliable manner? And who is the architect behind these intricate laws? The mysteries of electricity invite us to reflect on the unseen forces that govern our world, and at the same time we depend on these unseen forces every day.

As Christ followers we believe that God, in His infinite faithfulness, empowers us to place our trust and reliance in Him. He not only fulfills His promises to us as His people but also instills in us the assurance that He will bring to fruition the good work He has initiated in our lives. As He guides us through our earthly journey, He promises a future that far exceeds our curre nt circumstances—a glorious heavenly home, masterfully prepared by God Himself, where we will dwell eternally in His presence.

There is an important point to consider: as discussed in previous chapters, we cannot meet the demands of the law without a physical sacrifice. In other words, a physical death is necessary to atone for our sins. In God's eyes, we are spiritually dead and unable to redeem ourselves. Our flesh alone cannot provide the means, power, or strength to overcome death; we are dead in our trespasses and sins, and a dead person cannot produce faith.

Yet, we can give thanks to God for the remarkable gift of redemption through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. In becoming our sacrifice, Christ willingly bore the full weight of the law, paving the way for our salvation. His triumph over death empowers us to receive His faith, to trust in Him, and to grasp the promises of God for our eternal future. This incredible truth is both awe-inspiring and transformative: through Christ Jesus, we have been resurrected from death to new life, just as He has.

By faith, we grasp that the universe was meticulously ordered at God's command, with the visible realm springing forth from the invisible. The writer powerfully asserts that every aspect of our universe—including time itself, electricity, and everything we encounter—has its precise arrangement established by God. While it may be challenging to extend our vision beyond our planet as part of this divine order, we are invited to recognize the vastness of creation. Every planet, star, and galaxy has been strategically placed by the word of God. John chapter one boldly declares that Jesus is that word that spoke creation into existence; He was present at the dawn of creation, both with God and was God Himself. Furthermore, it is through Jesus that all things are held together—not merely some things, but all things in existence.

Faith stands as a powerful action, deeply embedded in our trust in God's limitless capacity to be God. When we examine the faith of the patriarchs, beginning with Abel—who offered a superior sacrifice through his belief—we see God's relentless work in forging a path to our redemption. Jesus, our sacrificial Lamb, and His death represent the foundation of our faith. Without His sacrifice, we would face eternal estrangement from God. The resonance of Abel's faith is profound, for it was Christ's faith in Abel that foretold the ultimate sacrifice destined to redeem all of humanity.

Enoch is a notable character who demonstrated his trust in God through the faith bestowed upon him. His profound legacy reveals that he walked intimately with the Divine, reflecting a deep-seated trust that defined his life. As the grandson of Adam and the son of Cain, Enoch played a crucial role in early human history. He is also the father of Methuselah, a name synonymous with longevity. Enoch is credited with the monumental achievement of building the city of Zion, a name that resonates deeply within the Jewish faith.

Zion is not merely a geographical location; it represents the eastern hill of ancient Jerusalem, regarded as a sacred site in Judaism—the very place where King David established his capital. Throughout history, “Zion” has come to symbolize the city of Jerusalem itself, embodying a sanctuary and refuge for the Jewish people. This powerful concept is intricately linked to their religious beliefs and national identity, serving as a beacon of hope and resilience throughout the ages.

Scripture reveals that Enoch walked closely with God and did not experience death, as God took him before he could die. Notably, there are two recorded instances of remarkable individuals who pleased God and avoided death: Enoch and Elijah. Both figures had extraordinary encounters with God, described in scripture as fiery experiences, bearing a striking resemblance to what we now consider spaceships or alien encounters. Let me clarify: I am not claiming that God is a Martian or a little green man. Rather, I propose that God originates from an interdimensional realm that transcends our earthly existence, often referred to as the spiritual realm. There are instances when God manifests physically, and in the cases of Enoch and Elijah, scripture recounts their encounters with a divine craft from this realm, leading them to depart the earth without ever returning.

In the upcoming verses, let us examine the other "heroes of faith" mentioned. We will look at their lives as they walked with God.

Stephen Barnett