Some of the most encouraging passages for me in the Bible are the ones where men and women of faith do great things by their faith.
For a quick reference of several great people of faith, just take a few minutes and read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews.
Being encouraged by people of faith is one thing – but taking a step to live out my own faith is something else entirely.
If you were asked to give some examples of ways that you have lived out your faith, what would your examples be? If we observe the examples listed in Hebrews 11, we will see that greatness of faith is measured differently in our eyes than it is in God’s eyes, for instance:
Hebrews 11:4 – 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
We don’t know all of the details, but we do know that Abel’s sacrifice was made by faith, and here he remains an example to us to offer our sacrifices by faith.
When I think of great people of faith in the Bible, I’m drawn instantly to the more sensational examples like teenage David facing off against Goliath or Shadrack, Meshak and Abednego refusing to bow down to a golden statue – both examples of people choosing to put their faith in God at risk of death.
But these examples are the extreme exceptions, not the common rule. When I think of examples of people I’ve known personally of great faith, I think of people who, in faith, serve Christ by consistently serving Him year by year – teaching classes, preparing communion, setting up tables and chairs, preparing meals and prioritizing the church.
But back to the question at hand – I ask you, and I ask myself, “What are the ways that I live out MY faith?” May we always be a people who are looking for new ways to show our appreciation for what God has done for us by living out our faith.
For our good and His glory,
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
