Hebrews
11:1-7 A
Heritage of Faith
Now
faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that
the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from
things that are not visible.
By
faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this
he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he
died, but through his faith he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken so that he
did not experience death; and “he was not found, because God had taken him.”
For it was attested before he was taken away that “he had pleased God.” And
without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith
Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built
an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir
to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.
****
Substance and evidence are the two
words that stick with me from my childhood. They get lost from this translation
to “confidence” and “assurance.” In so translating the verse, we seem to lose
the science and gain a personal and emotional element. While this is fine, I
receive more “assurance” from faith as substance of the Spirit and evidence of
the unseen realm of the divine. Evidence satisfies my scientific bent and
substance affords me a spiritual lifeline as I progress in my faith life.
Christ becomes real rather than an idea. Christ is a companion in our journey
and He is that upon which we lean when we need encouragement. It is all too easy
on our journey to be misled by our own fears and desires. Now do we need
“blessed assurance?” Most certainly, and we obtain it by faith in the evidence
of God with Us (Emmanuel), Jesus who comes to us as a real human baby, born of
the Father’s immense Love for us.
Prayer: Divine Father of all, keep us close
to Thee in our journey in faith which sets us free from the pitfalls of sin,
doubt, and fear. Jesus told Thomas “Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet
believe.” This is what Christmas is truly about: a life in, with, and
surrounded by the Love gifted us in Christ Jesus. Amen
Franklyn Commisso is Minister of Music
at Trinity Lutheran Church, Brewster, NY
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