In part 1 of what is faith, we looked at Hebrews 11:1 where God defines faith for us. Recap of this, Faith is the confident trust in the unseen promises of God.
Now we will look at the activity of faith concerning how our view is changed.
How Our View Is Changed
When we receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior through God’s grace by faith, He changes us on the inside. Ezekiel 36:26 tells us we are given a new heart and spirit. Ephesians 2:8-10 tell us we are re-created in Christ Jesus to do the good works of God on His path. So, when I received Christ I entered into the life God had planned for me before I existed. The new heart on the inside will show up on the outside of our life in many ways. We will continue in Hebrews on faith.
Through Faith Our Hope Has Moved
Galatians 5:5 says as believers we “eagerly wait“, with the help of the Holy Spirit by faith, the hope of righteousness. Now, if I’m already righteous before God through faith in Christ Jesus, what am I being told.
eagerly await-553- apekdexomai (from 575/apo, “away from,” 1209/dexomai, “welcome” and 1557/ekdikesis, ” out of”)… The prefix (apo) intensifies the root (dexomai) to emphasize the idea of separation. 553 (apekdexomai) therefore is used of looking completely away from this world-and to the upcoming redemption of our body (HELPS Word-studies)
Putting this together, it means our new heart and spirit no longer sees this world as home. Our hope has moved from being in ourself, others, and the world to hoping and eagerly awaiting the day we are eternally separated from our sinful body and receive our glorified body. This is a work of God through our faith.
Hebrews 11:24 KJV By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Moses is our example but we need a little background.
Moses was born at a time when the Pharaoh of Egypt had ordered all Israelite male babies to be killed. But God had plans for Moses and his parents implemented a plan that saved him. Not only was Moses saved from death but he was raised in Pharaoh’s house as a son. Isn’t God ironic. Any way Moses was raised with all the wealth, ease, comfort, education, etc. of Pharaoh’s house. One day Moses life took a turn when he realized the Israelite’s were being treated unjustly. This made him angry and he acted upon that anger in his flesh. This caused him to run to the desert where he spent 40 years being a sheep herder. But God had a different plan for Moses and He revealed His plan after 40 years (Exodus chapters 2-3). In Hebrews we are told about his changed view.
By Our Faith
By faith Moses was given a new heart and spirit which caused a changed view. Moses moved his eyes from the past and looked to Christ. He saw suffering for Christ to be more precious and valuable than all Pharaoh could give him. Moses was living for his eternal future and eagerly awaiting “the reward.”
reward-Cognate:3405-misthapodosia (from 3408/misthos, “reward” and 591/apodidomi, “return, give back”)… reward from God for living in faith… HELPS Word-studies
Active faith opens our eyes to the suffering of others and at the same time puts a yearning in us to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Moses persevered in faith by living with his eyes on the unseen promise of God.
Eagerly Waiting Now
In Romans 8:18-23, the phrase “eagerly waits” is used 3 times in these 5 verses. It is the same word used in Galatians 5:5. Here we have a better picture.
Suffering for Christ has not changed. Christian persecution is ever on the rise. Like Moses, our eyes are to be set on Christ and the promise we will receive a glorified body (Romans 8:18). Our physical body is decaying and has no choice but to die. The dilemma is, God put eternity in the heart of every person. Unbelievers go the worldly way to satisfy this need but to no avail. Believers know they have eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. We are looking forward to being set free from this body of death and being in the presence of our Lord God (Romans 8:20, 2 Corinthians 5:6-9). We are not alone, all of creation is eagerly waiting to be made whole (Romans 8:22).
Awaiting The Reality
Colossians 3:1 KJV If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Keep your eyes and heart in heaven with Christ. Seek the will of God, love the things of God and separate from worldly ways. Why? One day our hope will become our reality. Christ will come and we will be in glory.
