Faith is more than a leap in the dark or a special feeling we sometimes get while we read the Bible. Faith is concrete and actionable. Faith is active and always leads to the faithful doing something. Because God has proven Himself faithful, those who have faith trust that God will reward them and respond to their actions. True faith always has deeds accompanying it (Jas. 2:14-26). Nowhere in the Bible is this better illustrated than in Hebrews 11. The “Hall of Faith” shows us what faith does.
Faith Understands (Heb. 11:3)
When we have faith, we understand that God created the universe—the seen created by the unseen.
Faith Offers Acceptable Worship (Heb. 11:4)
Like Abel, when we have faith we offer God acceptable worship and sacrifices.
Faith Pleases God (Heb. 11:5-6)
Like Enoch, when we have faith we are pleasing to God, walk with God, and are rewarded.
Faith Builds (Heb. 11:7)
Like Noah, when we have faith we build and construct the things of God according to God’s Word.
Faith Obeys (Heb. 11:8-9)
Like Abraham, when we have faith we obey what God commands, even if it is exceedingly difficult.
Faith Looks (Heb. 11:10)
Like Abraham, when we have faith we look to the future with hope because of what God has promised.
Faith Receives Power (Heb. 11:11-12)
Like Sarah, when we have faith we are blessed by God to be able to do what we otherwise would not be able to do (though no longer miraculously).
Faith Sees and Greets from Afar (Heb. 11:13-15)
Like all the faithful mentioned above, when we have faith we see what is coming in the future and look forward to the promises of God.
Faith Desires a Better Country (Heb. 11:16)
Like the faithful mentioned above, when we have faith we desire the homeland God will give us when this life is over.
Faith Passes Tests (Heb. 11:17-19)
Like Abraham, when we have faith we obey God even when our faith is tested, trusting God’s character.
Faith Blesses (Heb. 11:20-21)
Like Isaac and Jacob, when we have faith we bless the futures of others.
Faith Mentions Things Yet to Come (Heb. 11:22)
Like Joseph, when we have faith we are certain of what God has promised for the future.
Faith Resists (Heb. 11:23, 27)
Like Moses and his parents, when we have faith we are not afraid of the unrighteous, even when they are in positions of power.
Faith Chooses Righteousness Over Sin (Heb. 11:24-26)
Like Moses, when we have faith we choose painful obedience over the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Faith Observes (Heb. 11:28)
Like Moses, when we have faith we keep the commandments of God even when they are inconvenient.
Faith Crosses the Insurmountable (Heb. 11:29)
Like Moses and the Israelites, when we have faith we traverse situations that seem impossible to traverse.
Faith Conquers the Unconquerable (Heb. 11:30)
Like Joshua and the Israelites, when we have faith we are able to gain victory over that which seems impossible to conquer.
Faith Does Not Perish (Heb. 11:31)
Like Rahab, when we have faith we obey God and are saved from future ruin.
Faith always does something. What does your faith do?