Heralds Digest

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) In the midst of an insatiable pursuit of pleasure from the system of the world, it is hard to be fascinated by fellowship with an invisible God of heaven. Unlike Enoch's type of border-less fellowship, consistent connection with heaven through all of human activities on earth is apparently a mystical experience. Enoch literally changed the venue of one of his normal fellowships with God from earth to heaven, without crossing the border of death. With faith-driven fellowship, access to God's presence is border-less and rewarding.

"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." (Hebrews 11:4 NKJV) Service offering in every relationship in life is always a reflection of personal impression about the relationship. Like Cain's offering to God, oftentimes the quality of our service wears common excuses like nature of job, challenges of life, condition of living, etc. Cain was probably not convinced about the goodness of God, developing a negative impression from the story behind the expulsion of Adam and Eve (his parents) from the garden of Eden. However, Abel believed that God is good all the times, irrespective of what the circumstances of life threw at him. Excellent expressions are products of good impression; but without faith in God's goodness, there's no basis.

"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 11:3 NKJV) The world and the fullness thereof constitute the body of materials upon which human creativity depends. While it is obvious that these materials remain the same right from the beginning of creation, advances in human knowledge continue to drive the world's innovation. Unfortunately, many are far removed from the fact that God's creation is not bounded by material science like human innovation. The transformation and regeneration of the worlds remain under the creative power of God, especially where material and method end.

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." (Hebrews 10:35 NKJV) Confidence in the God of heaven, when on the mountains of life's circumstances, is easy. The only challenge lies with the scarcity of companions in the valley of despondency, discouragement, and despair. Confidence in the promises of God is lonely and difficult to sustain, without a visible substance of rescue from persistent problems. However, faith closes the gap between the promises of heaven and the problems on earth, irrespective of the varieties in human experiences on the field of life. The reward of an enduring confidence in God's promises is greater than the undeniable rescue from problems.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23 NKJV) Rather than being viewed as a declaration of a hopeless situation, discouragement represents a discontinuous connection of strings of hope. It is instructive to underscore that hope suffered long reduce th not the faithfulness of God who made the promise; it only make th the heart of the receiver of the promise sick. Faithfulness calls for the attention of he who promised; not the intention of he who promised. Helpful confession enjoys the consideration of the hands that hold the whole universe under palm of his hands.

"By that [God's] will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10 NKJV) By the account of the dark hour at the garden of Gethsemane, the distinction between God's will and that of Jesus Christ became manifest. Even though the submission to the Father's will was voluntary and quick, it was evident that the body of Jesus Christ was offered with the deepest anguish of soul and agonizing self-denial. The essence of every human existence is hidden in the acknowledgment and submission to God's will. Therefore, aligning self-will to that of God's will represents the most relevant of human pursuits in life.

"So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." (Hebrews 9:28 NKJV) The closest to the Father's offering of His Son was the attempted offering of Isaac by Abraham in obedience to the commandment of God. Isaac was not only the long-awaited promise child of Abraham, his father had him by miracle at the age of 100 years. Obviously, intimate relationship with God meant more to Abraham than self interest. Likewise, the desire for intimate relationship with a troubled man meant more to God than the interest for continual fellowship in heaven among the God-heads. However, the value of man that deserves such an offering from God is unimaginable. Unfortunately, the value of the world that deserve the redeemed man's offering of his waiting for the Redeemer's second coming is equally unimaginable.