Faith, the Gift of God – Hebrews 11:1 –

Faith, the Gift of God

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

—– ♦ —–

Tangible Faith

   Faith is not of the natural world. Faith is not found in Adam (mankind). Faith belongs to its Author and Finisher. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:21) Hebrews Chapter 11is given to us by the Spirit of God to teach the tangible evidence of faith, to open our eyes to the divine Spirit of God working within the child of God to display and confirm the will of God in the lives of His children. Hebrews Chapter 11 is God’s long definition of faith. Each example that He uses is a divine example of godly faith within the individual that brings forth tangible evidence and testimony of that faith. Hebrews Chapter 11 shows us both men and women of faith in their individual lives and the testimony of their times. Notice that there are no replicas of these individuals. All their works are individually different. However, the faith within them empowered them to please God and to diligently seek Him. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.(Hebrews 11:6)

   The substance of faith within brought forth a tangible hunger for God, and a thirst for His word and revelation. Faith brought to the heart a thirst to KNOW God and to worship Him as the Creator of all things, and the Redeemer of man. In Hebrews Chapter 11, verse 1, God begins with the unseen. He explains that faith, which is unseen, becomes a substance by the works by those who are seen. The substance of faith is the divine work within the individual which is displayed by that individual’s tangible works. Faith is not only the wrapping around grace, but it is a sustainer of the spiritual welfare and strength in the individual who has the gift of faith. For the just shall live by faith. The world of religion has not applied this verse with spiritual life. They have defined it by earthly measures and the mind of Adam. To be just before God must come by faith, and this is faith in the invisible God, and faith in the substance of God in Jesus Christ. Christ is the tangible of the invisible God. And Christ is the Author and Finisher of faith. Within Him is the fortress and cathedral of faith for we live and have our way IN Him as the children of God. He has given His divine Spirit to ensure within our being that we have been redeemed BY Him, and we live and breathe by Him.

   In our justification of faith, we have been given by God, through His Son, wisdom, sanctification, righteousness and redemption. All these builds our faith and lays the foundation of our faith in Him. Those of faith diligently, with a whole heart, seek the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of the holy Scriptures. It is faith within that drives one to know more of the holy, to know more of God, to know more of His divine Being both in the spiritual and in the tangible. It is faith that drives us to seek God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

   The gift of faith is directed by the divine. As Christ was the Gift of God to us, the Author and Finisher of faith gives us His faith as a gift in the newborn creature in Christ to have divine affection for our Creator and God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Man speaks of faith as their individual walk and will on this earth. They are tremendously misguided by the mind and heart of Adam’s race and the influence of Lucifer. All the men and women of faith in Hebrews Chapter 11 were guided by divine faith leading them. These were not the natural race of Adam, but men and women chosen of God and receiving the gift of faith FROM the Almighty. Each one of them was brought forth at different times, each one of them had different spiritual walks with God. Some were directed to be faithful in one particular action, and by that tangible action, they were witnesses of the faith that was in them.

   Abel, the first called of God, the first recipient of faith, obeyed God with a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Cain was a disobedient and wilful man of sin; as faith moved Abel, sin moved Cain. As God, in a divine relationship, guided Abel through faith, so the devil guided his child, Cain, through sin. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. (1^st John 3:12) In Hebrews 11:4, we see the outward substance of Abel’s works that he obeyed God in the conditions and the precepts, and the commandments that God gave to him. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4) He accepted them by faith and fulfilled God’s desires both IN Abel and through Abel to offer a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. The word excellent in this verse sets the offering of Abel apart in both the tangible and spiritual world. The word excellent has to be tied to the word righteousness, for through Abel’s obedience to God, and that more excellent sacrifice, he obtained the righteousness of God which is in Jesus Christ. Abel’s tangible actions were a divine witness of his faith, and that he was justified THROUGH faith by obtaining the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. Remember, each one of the lives of these men and women in Chapter 11 of Hebrews, although different, had one common factor: they had faith in the unseen God, and therefore, they followed His commands in their lives. Their obedience to the will and purpose of God was a tangible witness to the world around them. So much so that God declared that they walked by faith in the lives. And in the conclusion of their lives God, the Holy Spirit, wrote, these all died in that same faith, showing that faith transcends the mortal life into the immortal life, and things above. In verses 32 thru 38 in Chapter 11, we have a record of what these men and women of faith endured at the hands of this evil world. 

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: (Hebrews 11:32)

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (Hebrews 11:33)

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (Hebrews 11:34)

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (Hebrews 11:35)

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (Hebrews 11:36)

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Hebrews 11:37)

(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:38)

   In the first part of Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews, we have the outward actions and accomplishments of faith in these individual personalities. In verse 32 thru 38, we have the sufferings of those who endured the world through faith, and what they suffered for their faith. And then God, through His divine Spirit, collectively gathers them together and tells us that these all died in faith.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13)

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (Hebrews 11:39)

—– ♦ —–

Faith a Divine Law

   God shows us who they were through faith, and what they suffered through faith, and this is opposite to the definition of faith in Adam’s world today. Adam’s world defines faith as being a joyful experience, and that faith should take away ALL of our troubles, adding that faith should bless us with ALL earthly goods and riches. Now we know that this is not true faith. Faith is in opposition to the world of Adam. All true faith brings on the hatred of the world. We are introduced in Hebrews 11:4 to the first man of faith. His faith was directly related to his death. It was also directly related to his faithfulness to God. And it is here that we see the opposition, the warfare of the enemy against the things of God. Satan not only despises the outward works of men through faith, but he despises the Author and Finisher of faith, and he despises the eternal spiritual world of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he despises the gift of faith for it is this gift of faith that upsets his kingdom for it is a gift from God, the God that Satan hates. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17) These two verses could be companion verses in either book. They are united together with the word faith. In Ephesians it is THROUGH faith that we receive grace. It is faith that leads us to grace, and it is faith that is the gift of God. This does not take any value away from grace, for grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. What this shows us is that in the miracle of our new birth, the wooing of the Spirit of Christ leads us by faith. As the just in the after effect of faith shall live by faith in the Son of God who loved them and gave Himself for them. The Author of faith is BEFORE the beholder of faith, He is the One who encompasses faith, and gives the gift of faith in His divine purpose. He has esteemed faith as a divine Law. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (Romans 3:27) Now, because God made faith a Law, we see in Romans 3:28 that the beholder of the gift of God is justified through his faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)

   We should understand that in the determinate counsels of God what God has determined comes forth and is activated by God’s will. God’s will fulfills God’s purpose so that anyone who is a beholder of the gift of faith is justified before God through their faith and because of their justification they will live through that faith. All mankind has to understand that in the natural world of Adam, mankind is void of godly faith. Man lies when he proclaims a false faith, and this is evident by how he ties his faith to the tangible world. Nowhere in Hebrews Chapter 11 do we see riches or lands elevated in the path of faith. Faith is a separation from that which is natural to that which is spiritual. The children of Adam would have you believe that there is some inherent faith within them: this is false for Adam gave up ALL his rights when he brought sin into the world. He also gave up ALL of his gifts in his sin. And to say that faith has no results in the children of God, is also false, and a lie of the devil. God knew this, so, the Spirit of God gave us Hebrews Chapter 11, so that in our heart, soul, and spirit, we could see the outpouring of faith in these men and women of Hebrews Chapter 11. The very last verse of this Chapter is for ALL the children of faith because the fullness of time and the cross sealed the article of faith once and for all. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40) This verse joins ALL the children of faith together, those of the Old Testament with the New, those of the future and those of the past; those of the seen and those of the unseen; those of the heavens, and those of the earth. Faith has bound them together in Jesus Christ, our Lord and through faith they have seen Him who is invisible. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27)

—– ♦ —–

Faith is a Substance

    These thoughts on faith are opposite to the doctrine of prosperity for the children of God. One problem with the collective gathering of the religious world is that they all believe that the faith that they encompassed should be the same, and faith should be determined by the works of the world of religion and NOT the spiritual quickening of the soul. Man wants an OUTWARD display of a false faith to justify himself instead of being a product of faith for the glory of God. You cannot profess a faith that you do not possess; yet mankind continually does this in Satan’s counterfeit church. The building people, the church only people, have no room for men as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and the rest of God’s servants. And I believe that these men would not be comfortable in this worldly church that we see, and they as Moses would refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, and they of faith would esteem the reproaches of Christ greater riches then the treasures of this world. The Holy Spirit says Faith is a substance. Our blood is a substance, it flows through our life, our blood keeps our bodies alive. Faith also flows through our bodies and this gift of faith determines our spiritual well-being. Let’s consider Hebrews 11:6 once again, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE God. This is divine faith under the Law of Faith which leads us to justification before God. Now what is the outcome and purpose of God’s faith? That each and every child of faith has a purpose and path that God has marked out for them. Abel’s path was not the same path as Enoch’s path. Noah’s path was not the same path as Abraham’s path. The path of Moses was not the same path as Joshua, and so on. Therefore, when men place faith into a worldly box it is not the same as the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28) This also would include the modern traditions and actions and customs of the world church that is not of Christ, but likes to use the things of God, and even to use the word of God for their own gain. In many ways, they seem to believe that being esteemed by mankind is the accomplishment of their faith. Which when examined IS their own faith, but not faith in God. It is a counterfeit faith with no spiritual power. It is the shadow that Satan likes to throw over faith to confuse the world that he desires to control. When men esteem others, they also want to be esteemed. And yet, this is contrary to the walk of faith. Maybe, just maybe, this is why we do not see men of faith in our age. In Thessalonians we are told that not all men have faith. The Lord Jesus told us, will faith be found on earth at His coming? This would give us the conclusion that there is not a blanket faith upon the world. Some of the most ungodly people claim to have a faith, which is this same concept of worldly faith, which does not exist. And this is exactly why God has given us Hebrews Chapter 11. John in his epistle tells us on the spiritual side that not all who claim Christ, are of Christ. In fact, he tells us to try the spirits, to judge the spirits whether they are of Christ or not. And this, the professing church, the churcholics, have mastered with their universal misapplied phrase from the word of God. Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1) And yet godly faith begins with judgment, that one no longer is part of the world, but separated unto God. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (John 7:24)  

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:8)

Of sin, because they believe not on me; (John 16:9)

Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (John 16:10)

Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 16:11)

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (John 16:12)

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:14)

All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:15)

   These verses reveal three great principles that all judgment must be done in righteousness. (John 7:24) And those who are knowledgeable in the Scriptures by the Spirit of God have the power and the right to discern both good and evil. What Adam lost at the tree those of Christ have gained at a far superior tree in the cross of Christ. (Hebrews 5:14) Now the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ within every believer has the RIGHT to judge for it is part of the Comforter’s works to judge this present evil world, and to discern between the false works of Satan and the righteous works of God in Jesus Christ. To deny the work of the Holy Spirit of God is to deny the work of the Godhead. We have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ to separate us from the lying world of Adam to present us before God justified by faith not only in the Person of Christ, but in the supernatural work and suffering that He endured on the cross of Calvary.

   If you feel comfortable in the world most likely you belong to the world and not to Christ so that when you rub elbows with the righteous you cannot agree with them. You cannot see the errors of the world church because Satan (in his lies) has blinded you to the workings of faith. Man loves to lessen the value of God’s faith by inserting an imaginary faith that has no results in the children of this world. The whole Chapter eleven (11) of Hebrews is given to us as a picture Chapter of words finely brushed with God’s faith. Those without faith have no idea of the spiritual working within faith. And this is probably why the professing church, the building people of the world church and religion feel comfortable week after week warming pews and that’s not where the heart is. God does not look on the outward man, but on the heart of man, and faith deals with the heart.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.  (1^st Samuel 16:7)　

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (Romans 10:8)

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (Romans 10:9)

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10)

   In 1^st Samuel it is the heart that gets God’s attention. This carries through to the New Testament. In Romans 10, the heart is mentioned three (3) times in these three verses, so that God examines the heart through faith, and He knows and tries the heart in relationship to His saving grace through faith. We have a direct connection between faith and the heart, and faith is a gift of God to the heart that we would believe in the eternal and invisible God which has been revealed in the tangible form in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the outpouring image of the invisible God. Now regarding the profession of faith: you can fool your preacher, you can fool the congregation and those around you, and yes, I have been fooled a few times, but the false professor of faith will never, ever fool God. Those who have the Spirit of Christ within know the reality of that Spirit, and if the Spirit of Christ is not in you, you are none of His. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:9) The out working of faith is through the Spirit of Christ within who is the Author and Finisher of faith. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) In this verse we see the Author of faith and the Finisher of faith, however, many miss the connection of the cross, and the very words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ, It is finished. So, in Hebrews 12:2, we see for the joy that was set before him He endured the cross, despising its shame, and He FINISHED the work of faith in Himself on the tree. He completed the path of faith for everyone is called by faith. What He began, He finished in the redemption of every one of the children of God. And in His finished work He sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. To have such an Author of faith is a fortress, a bulwark, a rock of security against the adversary of our faith in Jesus Christ. Adam, or the descendants of Adam, do not like biblical faith. Just as they do not like the Author of that faith. This is why Satan presents a counterfeit faith that is of the flesh and not of the Spirit of Christ. The book of books, the Bible, the KJV begins with the divine creation of heaven and earth. The Author of the whole creation is the Lord Jesus Christ. The book of books ends with a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth has passed away. In this spectrum of time between the beginning of this book and the end of this book God has presented to mankind the article of faith, and this article of faith stands firmly in place in Hebrews 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. In the course of earth’s history, we have seen the profound evil of the children of Adam under the persuasion of the devil, and the children of Adam as Cain want to dominate their brothers and brethren, always seeking that lie of the devil, ye shall be as gods.

   There are many today who worry about climate change, global warming, a nuclear holocaust, and countless other burdens of man’s own making and imaginations. The child of godly faith KNOWS that the same God who created all things is able to keep those things until the end of His will and purpose has been accomplished. When it will be God who dissolves this earth. It will be God who creates a new heaven and a new earth, and the newness will be in all perfection centered around God’s righteousness. All this will take place by God’s perfect will. There will be a glorious new world of righteousness, and this world will be occupied by the worshipers of God.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

∼

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2^nd Peter 3:10)

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (2^nd Peter 3:11)

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2^nd Peter 3:12)

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2^nd Peter 3:13)

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2^nd Peter 3:14)

   This is a completely different mindset from the present evil world. Man believes that it is up to him to save the earth, however, God says that in His time, when all is fulfilled, He will dissolve and burn the earth that we dwell upon today, and it will be no more. If man took the same concern about his own heart and his own sin, he would be better off than worrying about climate change. Since I have been in this world, I have witnessed years with a little snow, years with a lot of snow, years with a little rain, and years with a lot of rain, I have endured hot temperatures and freezing cold temperatures. ALL around me the climate changes every day. I remember one day in St. Petersburg, Florida, waking up and as I looked out the window it was snowing, this was approximately fifty years ago, no one was worried about snow in St. Petersburg, although a lot of the residents had never seen such a day. Now here is the thing, the next day it was 80 degrees, today, if this same thing happened within two days, we would be under a nonstop panic mode of climate change. What this shows us in the days in which we live is that godly faith is becoming less and less in this world. Man trusts himself although he is not trustworthy. This is to push the masses away from a God who has created all things and can easily maintain all that He has created. Part of faith is not only trusting God for eternity but trusting Him day to day that He will fulfill His promises and that He is quite able to maintain that which He has created. It is nice to know that God has everything under control. Rest assured that the finality of God’s purpose will be a new heaven and a new earth. This old earth will go out in a great ball of fire, and be dissolved, and this is the answer of our faith. How great faith is in the everlasting God nothing will alter His plan from the beginning of Genesis 1:1, to the finality of Revelation 21:1. Now let’s return to tangible faith.

—– ♦ —–

God Measures Faith

   What does the Lord Jesus say about faith? The very first mention in the gospel is in Matthew 6:30, Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? This verse reveals a negative in man. The number 6 in the address of this verse also refers to man, and that man struggles with faith because man has no inherent faith within. And although the Author of faith was in their presence they drift in Adam in their own world of unbelief. The Author of faith has the right to judge them according to their faith. Notice that in the text around this verse that this verse is said because of their unbelief. The Lord Jesus shows the sovereignty of God in this verse, and the care within His sovereignty, for not only the grass of the field, and what we call the environment; God is capable although man has little faith. Faith is a gift from God. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)

   The Lord measures faith: we have little faith, and the opposite, great faith. We also see this measure of no faith. However, in this case, that those around Lord are His disciples. Those who are close to Him, He is ministering to them concerning their faith, and He is also showing them what faith is capable of. Although this is the first mention of faith in the book of Matthew, it reveals the measure of faith that the disciples had in their Creator. Christ is showing us by measuring their faith that there are different levels or intensities of faith. And the Lord closes Matthew Chapter 6 in verse 34 with what the result of faith should be. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:34) The result of our faith should be not to worry about tomorrow; don’t worry about the evil men of this world, concern yourself with what is in this day. In this day there is enough evil in this present evil world to concern you. A good aspirin, or Alka-Seltzer, for the headaches from this world is in Colossians 3: 1- 4.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

   This is what faith does, faith seeks after God, diligently seeks Him. Faith seeks the knowledge of the holy. Faith learns of Christ. Faith grows in grace. Faith has the love that conquers all in Jesus Christ, and don’t stop with these four verses in Colossians Chapter 3. Read the entire Chapter, and then study every verse and remember, verse 6 of Hebrews Chapter 11. In Matthew 8:10, we have great faith. This was a Roman centurion, a Gentile, yet this Gentile met faith in Jesus Christ.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. (Matthew 8:8)

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. (Matthew 8:9)

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (Matthew 8:10)

   The Roman centurion had great faith. There was nothing in the way of his faith although he was a Roman, a Gentile, yet he met faith in Jesus Christ. Why did I phrase is like this? Because Christ is the Author and Finisher of faith. The Lord Jesus wrote the book on faith, and this great faith of the Roman centurion was also a great voice to Israel for Christ could not find equal to this faith in Israel. The children of the kingdom would refuse their King because there was no faith in them. There is still today a spiritual separation between Israel and those who are of the true Israel of God. Romans tells us that not all they of Israel are of the children of God.

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (Romans 9:6)

∼

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (Romans 11:7) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. (Romans 11:8)

—– ♦ —–

Faith Separates

    We see that a great separation must take place between Judaism and Christianity. Those who have separated themselves from Judaism and believe in the Lord Jesus live by faith, for the just shall live by faith. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 8:11) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12) There is a great division here between the children of God and those of unbelief. Although Israel is being used as an example, the Lord speaks of men of faith prior to the Law and Moses. It is Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (men of faith) who will be joined to other men of faith. In the New Testament we have many prophecies, some have already been fulfilled, and others will yet be fulfilled. We trust God, through faith, that He will fulfill His complete word. Now the promises that were given to Abraham, Hebrews 11 informs us that these men saw the promises afar off, and they trusted God that He would fulfill those promises, and that includes many of the prophecies that have already been fulfilled. They trusted God through faith that they would be fulfilled. In the New Testament, especially the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, those who are of faith are in a similar circumstance. We trust God, and we see the fulfillment of God’s will and purpose afar off, and we see this with the eyes of faith. When the Lord used the comparison of the faith of the Roman centurion with the faith that was in Israel, there was a separation and even today, this separation continues. True faith separates man from the world, from the masses, and from the religions of the world. Today, there are thousands who do not know if they are Jew or Greek, so they try their own thing. They try to be both. I’m sure that you have heard the phrase or words, Judeo-Christianity as a point of unification, there is no such thing. Aside from both Judaism and Christianity having roots in the Old Testament, Judaism and Christianity are two distinctly different spiritual systems. 

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. (Luke 5:37) But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. (Luke 5:38) No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:39)

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. (Matthew 9:16)

   If you are a Jew, you are still under the Law because you have placed yourself there. If you are a Greek or Gentile, you are still a Greek or Gentile, but you cannot have both, however, Christianity, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, nullifies both the Jew and the Greek. True Christianity is made up of from a completely NEW RACE of people born of the Spirit of God and not of the flesh of Jew nor Gentile. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11) There is a divine truth of faith that Israel and the nation of Israel is God’s earthly people whether in obedience or disobedience, they are STILL God’s earthly people. Those who are in Jesus Christ, through faith, are NOT of the earth. We have NO earthly dominion. We are citizens of heaven, and not of this earth because we have been CHANGED, and the great Creator has created us a NEW RACE that is justified by faith in Jesus Christ. When you try to mix Judaism with Christianity, or the world religion with Christianity, you have turned down the wrong road, and you are on the road of destruction.

   The road to God and His Christ is marked from Abel throughout the history of mankind, and the name of that road is faith, and that is faith in man’s Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole of mankind has been blinded by sin. Sin works within them and creates a vain imagination, and this is why in Genesis Chapter 6, the world that then was, was judged by God. We see this same world in our age. Just as the populace of Genesis Chapter 6 would not listen to Noah, a preacher of righteousness, the people of this world today will not listen to the truth in Jesus Christ. In fact, in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ, the majority of Jews and Romans would not listen to the Lord. In Acts Chapter 7, the Jews would not listen to Stephen, as he spoke to them with the Spirit of Christ. They refused the Spirit of God and stoned the Spirit’s messenger which showed their complete unbelief from Abraham to that present day. They loved to proclaim that they were the children of Abraham, yet they would not obey Abraham’s faith. They were ungodly people of unbelief, and it was by their wicked hands that crucified the Lord of glory. They would not listen to Stephen, nor to Peter or James and John, and later they refused to listen to Paul. Paul continued to show them that Judaism was past, although many were mixing Judaism with the things of Christianity. You can mix nothing of mankind with the Body of Christ because the Body of Christ is a heavenly Body, and this Body of the Church is perfect in Him. Those of Christ are just men made perfect in Him. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. (Hebrews 12:23) Those of faith today are of the Church of the first born, Jesus Christ, for behold all things are become new. There is no other name given among men whereby we shall be saved. This name was given from above, and this is the name that is above every name. The just shall live by faith, yet man in his vain heart and mind always wants to ADD to God’s will and purpose.

   Even when you return to Israel’s wandering in the wilderness, when Moses was told by God to do and to go this way, the children of Israel wanted to interject their will over God’s will. We see the conflict of man without belief trying to deter or even cancel out the things of God. The hearts of the Israelites deceived them, and they all who had come out of Egypt (except two) perished in the wilderness. This should show you the power of unbelief when man offers his opinion, or his desire and it runs opposite to God’s will. Why? Because the natural man has NO faith. Only Joshua and Caleb (from all who came out of Egypt) went into the new land. The 3^rd Chapter of Hebrews is devastating to the world of unbelief. Those who came out of Egypt perished in the wilderness because they continually protested against Moses and God. They would not be obedient to what God had given them. So, Hebrews Chapter 3 introduces the true house of God, and this house is Christ Himself; supernaturally spiritually those of faith are part of His house. But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6) Here we have the true house of God, the true Body of Christ, the true Church of the Living God all bound together in the work of Christ on the cross. Outside of the spiritual walls of Christ there is no other. Many have tried to change the words of Christ in John 10:16, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. The word fold is accurate; this is a question of His sovereignty gathering ALL of His sheep into His house, a place of safety and refuge within the presence of the Shepherd. When we are out in the world doing His bidding, we are seen as a flock, and the good Shepherd walks with us. The word fold could also be the word house, or the word fortress, for a mighty fortress is our God, here the children of faith find refuge in the Person of Christ. The wall and perimeter around them is Christ Himself.

—– ♦ —–

A Never-Ending Faith

   Even those of the ancients of Hebrews Chapter 11were partakers of the heavenly things. They considered themselves strangers on this earth, and they looked for a city whose builder and maker is God. A city to embrace them, as a fold. They wandered in faith for they had one home. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13) For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. (Hebrews 11:14) And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (Hebrews 11:15) But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16)

   They who were before the cross knew the promises of God and saw them afar off. The Lord Jesus, in John Chapter 8, stated that Abraham saw His day, saw the fullness of time, and Abraham rejoiced in it although the Holy Gift in Jesus Christ was not yet given. They understood the benevolence of their God that He would provide Himself a sacrifice for sin, and that the fullness of time would encompass all those of faith, past, present and future; this would complete God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ. Now we know the phrase the just shall live by faith, but Hebrews Chapter 11 expands on this; they not only lived by faith, but they died in that same faith believing that God was able to raise them from the dead. This is a wonderful faith; we should lay hold of the words of the Lord Jesus that whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:26)

   They wandered in this world as a flock, but they were seeking a home which as a fold. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16) In the fullness of time God has drawn us together as a wandering flock to bring us home in the house of His Son and the Son has made provisions for us in His Father’s house; this is the place of God’s rest which also speaks of a fold at rest in Him. We have been CHANGED; we will receive a new name as Abram received the name of Abraham, and as Jacob received the name of Israel. One point in Hebrews Chapter 11 that is not found in the book of Genesis is that when Israel was dying, he worshiped the Almighty God leaning on his staff. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. (Hebrews 11:21) I cannot get these words out of my mind, leaning on Jesus, leaning upon the top of his staff. Here we have a prince with God, old, and his body failing fast, with Joseph and Joseph’s sons gathered around Israel (Jacob) and he blessed them according to God’s purpose: that the older would serve the younger. Israel had worshiped God through his travels, and in his many years, his path had been in an evil world. Through Genesis 48:22 we learn that Jacob had been a warrior, a man of war. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow. Through it all, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

   All these of faith died in faith. They had walked this earth and trusted God. They had faith that God was able to fulfill all of His promises. When we pick up our Bibles and open it to Genesis 1:1 (the book of beginnings) every word that follows has to be read by faith. All that follows with Jacob, in Genesis Chapter 49 (and the prophecies of Jacob (Israel) concerning his twelve sons, which through time, has been revealed and is still being revealed) has to be appropriated through faith. Every line, and every precept, every word in God’s holy book has to enter into our heart, soul and spirit BY faith. Jacob KNEW by faith that the prophecy that he spoke would be fulfilled as Moses also KNEW by faith that every word he spoke that God was able to fulfill. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. (Hebrews 11:21) Thus, Jacob was gathered unto his fathers, slowly into the night, and Israel fell asleep in Jesus. Faith as a substance carried him safely home to be with The Fullness of Time, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen and Amen.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

(Hebrews 11:1)

© Copyright 2022, Michael Haigh

This article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)