Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
What is the relationship between faith and works? In reaction to some who insist that faith is simply intellectual assent I have heard others insist that in the Jewish world faith = commitment and obedience. Hebrews 11 is often quoted as substantiating that claim. "See," they will say, "every person in this chapter is doing something by faith. Faith is doing." But that is hardly true. "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive." (vs 11) That is not doing something. That is receiving something. In fact, as I recall, Sarah laughed at the idea. "Through faith ... Women received back their dead by resurrection." (vs 35) Again this is hardly doing something. This is receiving. When we turn "faith" into "commitment and obedience" we destroy the idea of faith.
Certainly faith produces obedience. What we truly believe affects what we do. An alcoholic is convinced either that they cannot quit or that they can quit but that one more drink will solve whatever problem they are facing, or at least will make them feel better. All lies. A person who is angry may know that what they are doing is wrong but they believe that they are somehow justified in their anger this time. Someone sneaking a look at pornography believes that one look won't hurt them, or that the thrill of a peek is worth the risk. It it never is. Or they believe that they cannot help themselves so they might as well give in. What we believe drives what we do, but it is not the same thing as what we do.
The encouragement of Hebrews 11 is not that it is a list of "super-saints" to which we aspire, but that this is a list of normal, average, sometimes even very flawed individuals who did great things because they believed God. Chapter 10 ends with the truth as believers in Jesus Christ we are "of those who have faith." Chapter 11 ends with the reminder that apart from us this list of people with faith is not a complete list. Our names are on the list as well. Therefore, chapter 12 challenges us to "lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." How do we do that? By "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." (Heb 12:1-2). In other words, faith is not about our commitment. It is about Jesus' faithfulness and power. Faith is not about us at all. It is about Jesus.
I have said it before: I have no faith in my faith. What I have faith in is Jesus. The Christian life is about resting in and trusting on the finished work of Christ on the cross. We don't need to repeatedly get saved. We don't need to live in constant fear that we might not believe enough or obey enough to be acceptable to God. Samson in brokenness ended his life in simple dependence on God. In doing so he did more good in his death than he ever did in his life. Maybe that is the point where he finally came to faith. I don't know. But what I know is that faith is not about me. And that's the point of the letter to the Hebrews. Jesus is superior to all the systems that have to do with us doing. What he calls us to is simply believing. Believing leads to doing, but they are not the same thing.
Father, forgive me for how quickly I slide back into the "doing" mindset. Thank you that in Christ the work is finished. Today may I walk in the peace and assurance of that truth.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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