Faith is an essential element of Christianity, but it seems like it is often a vague concept in my mind and in the minds of other Christians. What exactly are we talking about when we talk about having faith in Christ or in God?

Well, Hebrews 11 gives us some insight into the whole concept of faith.

First, in verse 1, the writer of Hebrews says this about faith:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)

So, faith is the assurance of the things we hope for. What do we hope for in the Christian faith?

- Resurrection from the dead

- Spending eternity in the presence of God

-Forgiveness of sins

A component of faith is an assurance that these things are true or will come to pass.

Also, in verse 6, we read this about faith:

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (ESV)

Now, verse 6 highlights an aspect of faith that we don’t often consider. Faith includes believing that God will reward those who seek him. Many times we focus on the self-sacrificing aspect of Christianity and act as if seeking God for some type of reward makes our faith self-serving and cheapens our commitment to him. But, the writer of Hebrews says that seeking God for the reward that we will receive from him is essential to our faith. All of the saints described in chapter 11 were seeking after God for the purpose of receiving the reward he had promised them.

Now, what happens if we have an assurance of receiving the things we hope for and that God will reward us for seeking him?

Well, it should produce lives of radical obedience to the Lord that leads us to seek after him at all costs. It surely had this effect on the believers we read about in this chapter. But, we have to note that they did not receive the reward they were seeking in this life. Instead, they received persecution, insult, and often violent death at the hands of their enemies. But, their hope in the reality of God’s blessing and reward empowered them to suffer in this life because of their belief in a better life that was to come with God.

Oh, that we would have this same type of faith today. I pray that God would give me and other believers that I know an assurance of the reward we will receive from him in eternity and that we would be convinced that the reward we will receive from him is better than any fleeting pleasure we can experience in this life. If that happens, then we will be ready to live for more than big houses, football, 401(k)s, safety, security and the American Dream. Lord, give us faith so that we don’t waste our lives on rewards that can’t compare with the reward you give.

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