Heroes of Faith

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 / ESV)

The above Scripture verse comes from one of the more famous chapters in the Bible. Reading through, we learn that Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice to God than his brother Cain. We see Enoch being gathered up without seeing death, Noah constructing an ark out of, as the Bible declares it, reverent fear, Abraham being obedient and heading out to, and living in, the land of promise, and again offering up his only son when he was tested. We see Sarah being gifted with the power to receive child, long after our medical world today says that this would be a good idea, or even possible for that matter. Continuing on we notice Jacob and Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and others.

That’s a pretty big list, wouldn’t you agree? From a spiritual perspective, that’s like looking at the inaugural Dream Team of ’92. How can basketball fans forget the likes of Magic and Barkley, Mullin and Stockton, Malone, Drexler, Pippen, Bird, Robinson, Ewing, Laettner, and that one guy…from North Carolina, 6’6″, at guard, Michael Jordan! Did that take any of you back? Why don’t I just throw this piece in here for nostalgic purposes? Enjoy: https://youtu.be/Zn6kiimEsYc

Do you know what’s interesting about both lists though, and true to life as well? Both the ’92 Dream Team and the Hall of Faith names mentioned above weren’t without faults, sins, shortcomings, and weaknesses. Do you know that Michael Jordan used to get so nervous that his hands would sweat? They would perspire so much that he had to use powder over and over during pregame to dry them up enough for him to palm the basketball. Larry Bird would have such bad butterflies that all the way up to the layup line he would feel nauseous – worried his pregame meal would come up at any moment. Players hid problems as best they could from the public eye. Bumps in their personal roads that ranged from gambling to infidelity. The Dream Team was not perfect – even though their Olympic record and individual career stat lines implied that they were basketball gods from different planets.

The Hall of Faith names were not perfect either. This may come as a shock to some of us because we are being asked to consider them, as if they are being kept in some glass case in some museum over in Europe somewhere – the kind of storehouse that has armed guards and houses such relics as the spear that pierced the side of Christ, and the ark of the covenant. They were not perfect though. Did you know that Moses and David murdered people? Others on the list mentioned above completely abandoned God’s plan for marriage – some having many wives and children with those wives. Solomon is reported to have somewhere around 700 wives! When I read this chapter in Scripture I often measure myself to their individual greatness. Each time I do, I end up short of feeling anything like heroes of faith, as God refers to them.

In fact, when comparing my personal life and the trials, tribulations, and triumphs I have endured with those of our seemingly glass incased brethren in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, I rather feel more like a zero than a hero. I think that this is because I’m looking at the individual trees instead of the whole forest though. I have the wrong perspective, and the wrong angle. There is hope men of God! Faith, when defined as the Bible is concerned, is being assured of the things we hope for – the conviction of things not seen. In other words, having faith in our future. Hebrews eleven was never meant to put these men and women on a pedestal for all the remarkable and amazing things they’ve done. God wants to shine the light on these individuals because in spite of all the sin and moments where they flat out missed the mark, they believed in their futures – because of Jesus!

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 / ESV)

I want to propose to you, men, that this verse reflects on our future. That we are indeed His Workmanship! We are created in Christ Jesus for good works and that this was done, as the verse indicates, long before we came into existence, and that we will walk in those good works towards our future – because of Jesus!

Trench Brothers, we must stop looking at the famous Hall of Faith as if it too, is an ancient place where there are no more invites. The ballots are not closed! What does your future hold? Remember it’s never too late (a theme I will definitely address more in depth at a later date). Today – please decide to be heroes and not zeros.

This world, our country, your towns, churches, children, wives, and most importantly…YOU…depend on this choice: Have faith. Decide to be a man of faith. CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE…

“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15 / ESV)