August
2021
PA R T N E R L E T T E R
Let's begin our discussion of faith today
in the great faith book of Hebrews. In
Chapter 3, verses 18-19, we read: "And to
whom did He swear that they would not
enter His rest, but to those who did not
obey? So we see that they could not
enter in because of unbelief" (New King
James Version).
Now, look at Hebrews 4:1-2:
1 THEREFORE, SINCE A PROMISE REMAINS
OF ENTERING HIS REST, LET US FEAR LEST
ANY OF YOU SEEM TO HAVE COME SHORT
OF IT.
2 FOR INDEED THE GOSPEL WAS
PREACHED TO US AS WELL AS TO THEM;
BUT THE WORD WHICH THEY HEARD DID
NOT PROFIT THEM, NOT BEING MIXED
WITH FAITH IN THOSE WHO HEARD IT
(NKJV).
Now that's really plain, isn't it? But it
presents the question, "What is faith?"
Well, we know that faith is a spiritual,
unseen force. But how does the Bible
describe faith? Let's refer once more to
the book of Hebrews. Chapter 11:1 says,
"Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen." The Amplified Bible, Classic
Edition, says, "Now faith is the assurance
(the confirmation, the title deed) of the
things [we] hope for, being the proof of
things [we] do not see and the
conviction of their reality [faith
perceiving as real fact what is not
revealed to the senses]."
I really like that. Perceiving as "real fact"
what is not revealed to the five physical
senses. Now we get an idea why it's so
important to teach and preach how
faith works and how to use it effectively.
For instance, Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by
grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God." No one can be saved without faith,
which is the gift of God. It's obvious that
one cannot live the Christian life without
faith from what we read in Romans 1:17:
17 FOR THEREIN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS
OF GOD REVEALED FROM FAITH TO FAITH:
AS IT IS WRITTEN, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY
FAITH.
Where else is that statement written?
You can find it recorded in Habakkuk 2:4,
Galatians 3:11 and also in Hebrews 10:38.
Galatians 3:11 is the faith verse that
introduces our being redeemed from
the curse of the law. Let's read verses
11-14:
