FAITH AND HOPE
Hebrews 11 – 12:3
“Now faith is the reality of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Translation taken from Gareth Lee Cockerill’s commentary on The Epistle to the Hebrews, NICNT)
Let me share an extract from the commentary above: We probably understand this statement best, however, if we remember that “faith” refers to a way of life and not to mere theoretical belief. Thus, one might paraphrase, “Faith is living in accord with the reality of things hoped for,” or “faith is living as if the things hoped for are real.” This interpretation is eminently appropriate for the immediate context: Abraham conducted his whole life on the assumption that the heavenly “homeland” (vv. 13-16) and permanent City (v. 10) were real; Moses lived for the eternal “reward” (v. 26). The pastor (referring to the writer of the book of Hebrews) would have his hearers conduct themselves as if the promised “Unshakable Kingdom” (12:25-29) were real rather than in pursuit of worldly goods.
Faith is life lived in the reality of our future hope and the reality of what we cannot (scientifically) determine, that is, God. Such a life, in turn, evidences the reality of hope and of God.
Jesus is the one who demonstrated such faith perfectly but others, imperfect humans in the history of this faith, have also lived in faith even though they never experienced the fruition of their faith. These lives were often lived in pain and suffering, yet they persevered.
However, such pain and suffering is not evidence of the falseness of faith’s hope nor reason to abandon faith and hope because Jesus has made certain our future. Jesus himself suffered the pain and shame of the cross yet now is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. God values faith and commends the faithful and works to fulfil his promises and bring to fruition our hope.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”