As believers, we have been given the example of those who have gone before us. Throughout the Bible, we can read about other men and women of faith. Some of them lived in a time before Jesus came to earth as a man, while others were chosen by God as the foundation of the church. Additionally, there have been many faithful followers of the Lord in the years after the completion of the Bible. Regardless of the eras of those Christians, faith is a common denominator.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11:1-3
One of the men of faith who made the greatest impact on my life was Rusty Foster. Rusty spread the gospel for 60+ years, flying his plane over villages in other countries, and dropping translations of the Bible. A couple years after becoming a Christian, the Lord gave me the blessing of preaching to the homeless at a rescue mission in the desert. One night, I exited the mission praising God for what He had allowed me to do and turned right to go to my car. Rusty was immediately behind me, but when I got to the car, he was gone. When I turned right, Rusty had turned left, as he saw an inebriated homeless man on the ground. Rusty sat down and began sharing the gospel with him in Spanish. Rather than resting on his laurels, Rusty always looked for God to open doors of ministry. When his wife died, Rusty became even busier, preaching numerous sermons each week in retirement homes. Certainly, when Rusty died, he joined the “Hall of Saints” spoken of in Hebrews 11.
Many men and women of God are mentioned in the list, each with an action highlighted with a description of how they accomplished their mighty feat, “by faith.” Here is an example:
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Hebrews 11:7
Without faith, we all are lost. Without faith, we are capable of no good work. Without faith, we cannot even stand!
Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
2 Corinthians 1:24
God has given us examples in the lives before us and the lives around us of what it means to walk in faith. Additionally, we are the examples for our friends and families! When reading the Bible, we should be encouraged in how those who lived before us finished the race, with God’s merciful hand guiding the way. Just as He carried those believers to their rest in Him, He also will lead us! How can we continue with difficulties all around us? By faith!
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Galatians 2:16
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:9-12
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