The Evidence of Faith

Read Hebrews 10:19 thru 13
 
Hebrews 11:36-39 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.
 
THIS is a very difficult picture of suffering, isn’t it? The Hebrews author testified of the faithful men and women in the Old Testament. Many who declared God’s truth against the world’s desires suffered terribly.
   These great followers of God believed in God’s Messiah promises. They had no proof that he would come through a virgin. They had no evidence of a child born in poverty who grew to become both a loved and hated rabbi who died on a cross. Those faithful witnesses knew nothing of a resurrected, ascended Lord Jesus, Son of God.
   The great names of the Old Testament had great faith, and God counted them as his. God’s word was sufficient for them. They were faithful to believe and live under God’s commands even as they were brutalized and tortured. The Bible’s story also tells us these people were far from perfect. Yet, they were faithful to proclaim God’s Word in the Spirit’s power.
   How much easier is it for us to have faith than they? We have historical and spiritual evidence of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension. We know God’s promises to the patriarchs and prophets have come true. We can believe his future promises will happen.  
   That’s one reason we’ve been reading God’ Love Story, isn’t it? We see more clearly what God has done throughout history. We know what God has said and what God has done. The unchanging God will not stop fulfilling his promises.
   And look to the evidence of God’s activity in your life. Be of faith to trust God will complete his promises of salvation. He always has.
 
Angels in the House?
 
Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
 
DO angels sometimes come to our homes to measure our godly service? It did happen in Genesis, where both Abraham and Lot had the opportunity to care for and protect the angels that came into their presence. Perhaps he still does this. Another meaning for “angels” is “messenger”. So this instruction could instruct church members to welcome strangers because they may be gospel messengers.  
   These instructions exhibit God’s heart to both protect the teaching of the gospel and to care for the needy. Active evangelists needed safe homes to find food and shelter, safe from persecution. Plus, the Bible has a strong message of caring for those to whom life has dealt a harsh blow. God establishes a number of laws for his people to care for and feed widows, orphans, and others in need. Jesus’ ministry was often amid the lowest classes of society. The poor are everywhere and need some measure of care.
   Yes, sometimes people are lazy and make bad choices that lead to their poverty. God will deal with them. But our hearts must be tuned to understand how God wants us to respond to particular situations. Many people have huge struggles from circumstances they can’t control. Yes, poverty is the result of difficult conditions in a world of sin. God wants us to help those in need the best we can. He doesn’t want us to judge the poor—just care for them.