LIVING FAITH

Some weeks ago I wrote concerning five kinds of faith. There were two kinds (and maybe more) that I did not include: living faith and dead faith.

A lengthy reading from Hebrews 10, I believe, is the best commentary we can find on what constitutes "living faith." "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shallcome will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:36-39).

The Hebrew Christians were being severely persecuted and some were turning from the faith. The writer has exhorted them to be faithful in attending the assemblies of the saints. This would be a time for them to exhort and encourage one another. Faith was that which would save them. These were the ones who had done the will of God. These were the just ones, the righteous ones. They were the ones who would not draw back, i.e., turn back into the world for this would be perdition, which is defined as being utter destruction.

Their faith would be a living faith, an obedient faith. They would not allow the cares of the world to affect them. They must patiently endure the hardships that beset them. In verse 34 he reminds them of a place "in heaven a better and an enduring substance;" in verse 35 he refers to it as "a great recompense of reward;" and in verse 36 as "thepromise." They, as do faithful people of this day, look forward to something better than what we have today. We, today, like they of old, must have a living faith, a faith that is unto the saving of the soul..

Return to the Daily Devotions