Many times people say they are Christians but do not understand that faith is an intimate part of Christianity! People recorded in the Old Testament as having faith LIVED what God said no matter what the consequences might end up being. Notice what it says in Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
If we have faith in God the Father and Jesus the Son, we have this faith that pleases Him and believe that He will give us the rewards He mentions throughout scripture!!!
The Bible also tells the results of this faith. These men and women of old “all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and EMBRACED them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country” (Hebrews 11:13-14).
These men and women did not look back to the country that they left, even though they had opportunity. “But now they desire a BETTER country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He has prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16).
They looked for New Jerusalem that was to come down from heaven to this earth. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1). Paul made a statement that explains what is meant by new heaven and new earth. It is found in Acts 3:19-21: “Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord: And He shall SEND Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive UNTIL the times of RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”
It is AFTER this restitution of all things that the Father will bring new Jerusalem from heaven to this earth. Those who have developed faith will be changed to our new bodies to live and reign with Christ 1,000 years. Revelation 20:4: “And I saw thrones, and they [that had faith] sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: … ; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
Faith in the shed blood of Christ to cleanse us from sins is essential. Christ inspired the writer of Hebrews to give us enormous HOPE! Hebrews 11:35b: “… that they might obtain a BETTER resurrection:” The word better in the Strong’s Concordance, Greek section, means “more royal, better or BEST.
You and I MUST have faith to receive the BEST resurrection God has to offer !!! Notice carefully Revelation 1:5-6: “ … Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father … Amen.” But there is more. Revelation 5:9-10: “And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and has redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And has MADE US UNTO OUR GOD KINGS AND PRIESTS: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH.” Faith will get us there by Christ’s shed blood. It MUST be OUR faith!!!
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make ALL THINGS NEW. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcomes shall inherit ALL THINGS; And I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”
GET FAITH AND MAKE SURE YOU START NOW. WE MUST PLEASE GOD WITH FAITH!!!