Obedience and Faith part 2

Hebrews 11:1-13, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 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. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased 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. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith…”

There is one thing I would like to point out about the text given above… all of these men and women of God, though knowing that some of them failed God and produced large amounts of flesh which is always against God, they all have one thing in common… they had to first act upon God’s word before they were counted faithful.

11:4, “By Faith Abel offered…”

Genesis 5:22, “And Enoch walked with God…” Hebrews 11:5, “By faith Enoch was translated… he pleased God…”

11:6, “…He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him…”

11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark…”

11:8-10, “By faith Abraham, …obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned… For he looked for a city…”

11:11, “Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed… because she judged him faithful who had promised.”

I can tell you today, faith and obedience must go hand in hand. None of these would have been counted in the faith hall of fame if they had not acted upon what they heard and believed. Oh if we would just act upon the Word of God… He said “Tarry here until you be endowed with Power…” and “Go unto all the world and preach my gospel…” BUT ARE WE LIVING IN TRUE FAITH???! IF SO WE WILL BE LIVING IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS WORD. Anything less than meeting His condition is faithlessness. Yes we fail, yes we fall… but the shame isn’t so much in us failing and falling, but the shame is in us staying there. Let us get up, obey… and find the true faith of God.