A Study Of The Cross Of Christ

Lesson Five - The Cross And Our Faith

TEXT: Hebrews 11:1  - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

True Faith, at least that which God will recognize, is always that which is Faith in ‘Christ and Him Crucified.’

Therefore, the true definition of Faith is that we simply believe. However, we are to have a proper object for our Faith, before God will recognize our ‘believing.’ That proper object is ‘Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.’"

            This lesson, we will take a look at the correlation between our faith and the cross of Christ. It's a big correlation! In summary there are three main points we want to emphasize in this lesson:

1. Faith guarantees the substance.

2. The substance will ultimately materialize.

3. Even though we cannot see it now, except by Faith, our Faith guarantees the substance that will ultimately come.

Faith Is The Substance

        The phrase, "Now faith is the substance," in essence says that Faith is the title deed.

        "Substance" in the Greek is "hypostasis," and refers to "one’s property or effects." The word was also used in the Roman world to refer to "the whole body of documents bearing on the ownership of a person’s property, deposited in the archives, and forming the evidence of ownership."

        Moulton and Milligan in their "Vocabulary of the Greek Testament" say of these uses, "These varied uses are at first sight somewhat perplexing, but in all the cases there is the same central idea of something that underlies visible conditions and guarantees a future possession." Thus, they translate "Faith is the title deed of things hoped for."

        The act of exercising true faith as one prays or as one leans on the resources of God, is, itself, the title deed, or evidence, of the sure answer to our prayer, or the unfailing source of the Divine supply. It is God’s guarantee in advance that we already possess the things for which we have asked.

        They may still be in His Hands, awaiting the proper time for their delivery, but they are ours. In other words, they are "substance."

        If the answers to our prayers are not forthcoming at once, let us rest content with the title deed which God has given us, namely, a Holy Spirit energized act of faith. We may be absolutely certain that our God will honor this title deed at the right time (Wuest).

        Even though Paul does not go into much detail here as it regards a definition of faith, still, what he in fact does say, sheds great light on this very important subject. The simple statement, "Now faith is the substance," tells us volumes, even as we’ve already addressed.

        And yet, everything that he has previously said in the first ten chapters of Hebrews has actually been a definition of Faith within itself. He has held up the Cross in every way possible, directing our Faith to that Finished Work. In other words, true Faith, at least that which God will recognize, is always that which is Faith in "Christ and Him Crucified."

        Therefore, the true definition of Faith is that we simply believe. However, we are to have a proper object for our Faith, before God will recognize our "believing." That proper object is "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified."

        And now in the Eleventh Chapter, the Apostle proceeds to explain to the Christian Jews, and all others for that matter, what such faith will bring about. He has told us what faith is, what the object of our Faith must be, and now he tells us the results of our Faith.

"Of Things Hoped For" - The Action Of Faith

        The phrase, "Of things hoped for," proclaims a declaration of the action of faith. It makes promises present and real and unseen things visible. This means, that these "things hoped for" are not mere figments of the imagination; their basis is "the Word of God." If we keep this in mind, the words, still remaining general in their form, agree with all that has led up to them and with all that follows; in other words, every hope, at least that’s generated by the Holy Spirit in the heart and life of the Believer, will be realized. If it pertains to this life, it will come in this life. And yet, some things which we now hope for, may not be realized in this life, and because they do not necessarily apply to this life. For instance, Abraham was promised the land of Canaan, but the Patriarch when he died, only owned the small burial plot where he and his family were laid to rest. But to be sure, it was possessed by his descendants, and in the coming Kingdom Age, Abraham will personally see the realization of this which God had promised.

        We must always understand, that the Promises of God are always much larger than we at first think or realize. And to be sure, God always keeps His Promises.

        It has been said that the phrase, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for," refers to that which is without substance. But this difficulty is only apparent; for in regard to ourselves these objects of our hope do not yet exist, since they still belong to the future (Rom. 8:24-25). Nevertheless, if God has promised them, and whatever they might be, the Promises will come to pass.

Romans 8:24-25
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

        The only true hope in the world is that of the Child of God. It is true because it is anchored in Faith, which is anchored in the Word, which is anchored in the great Sacrifice of Christ, which makes it all possible.

        The hope that the world entertains, is an elusive hope based upon what men may do or may not do, or even on the wisp of chance, which in reality, is no hope at all. It is no more than a gamble, a throw of the dice so to speak! But the hope registered in the heart of the Child of God, is based upon the entirety of the Word of God, which gives it substance. Consequently, it is a hope which will definitely be realized, and without fail!

The Evidence Of Things Not Seen

        The phrase, "The evidence of things not seen," refers to the fact, that our evidence is not based upon the senses, which yield uncertainty, but rather on the Word of God. There are realities for which we have no material evidence though they are not the less real for that. Faith enables us to know that they exist and, while we have no certainty apart from Faith, Faith does give us genuine certainty. To have Faith is to be sure of the things for which we hope. Faith is the basis, the substructure of all that the Christian life means, all for which the Christian hopes.

        "Evidence" in the Greek is "elegchos," which means "a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested." Thayer in commenting on its use here defines it as follows: "That by which invisible things are proved and we are convinced of their reality." Actually, "substance" and "evidence" are very similar. But yet, "evidence" although included in "substance," adds to the simple idea of assurance, a suggestion of influences operating to produce conviction which carry the force of demonstration. It goes back to what we have said about "hope." The hope of the Child of God, is not a mere wisp, as that of the world, but rather hope based on evidence, and that evidence is the Word of God, and our Faith in that Word.

....For By It The Elders Obtained A Good Report

Hebrews 11:2 - For by it the elders obtained a good report.

        The structure is:

1. Faith is the foundation of everything which pertains to God.

2. The "Elders" refer to the Old Testament Patriarchs, Prophets, and Saints.

3. A good report" refers to that which God says about them, and not man.

The Foundation Of Faith

        The phrase, "For by it," would have probably been better translated, "For by Faith," because that’s actually what it says.

        To the Hebrew Christians reading this Epistle, and all others as well, the principles of Faith set forth in this Chapter would have a deep effect. They would be made to see that the great heroes of Faith, much honored by Jewish tradition, in reality had looked forward to the Coming of Christ, Whose Redemptive Work would make their Faith complete.

        These Personalities of Faith had held fast their "confidence, which has great recompense of reward"; they fulfilled God’s will, patiently waiting to receive the Promise. In fact, these renowned men and women of Faith were examples of cheerful courage in the face of adversity and examples of endurance that were strengthened by fierce trial. We would do well to consider their example.

        The phrase, "The elders," refers to a great list of faith-worthies, but by no means, includes all.

        Incidentally, in this list given which we will study, no report is given of Adam and Eve – not a word of any repentance, faith, or holiness of life. Their spiritual and eternal fate are completely hidden, which lends much credence to the idea that they died lost.

        Considering these great faith-worthies, we should contemplate the following:

        Those who are growing faint and cowardly, and thinking of shrinking back, of returning to Judaism, let them consider all these heroes of Faith named in the Old Testament. If they desert, they do not desert "to" but "from" these men and these women and thereby place their names on that horrible list marked "perdition" (Heb. 10:39).

        They, who maintain their faith, join this glorious list which the Holy Spirit gives us here in this Eleventh Chapter.

        In this Book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit desires to show us the power and potential there is in dynamic faith, and by that, we speak of Faith in Christ, and His great Sacrifice. To have Faith in God is to have Faith in Christ and His Finished Work. To have Faith in the Word is to have Faith in the Finished Work of Christ. They are all one and the same!

        And yet, as we go through this dynamic Chapter, we will see various needs as it respected the individuals involved, and how Faith met each and every need, irrespective as to what it was.

A Life Without Faith

        There is a great difference between a life that is empty and one that is full. It was toward the end of the law career of the atheist Clarence Darrow that he confessed: "At the close of my life, I am not sure of how much or how little I have really accomplished, if anything, for the fellow beings of my day who live as my neighbors for a time and then are seen no more. I am reminded of what Simon is reported to have said when Jesus came to his boat in the early morning, ‘Master, we have toiled all night, and taken nothing’."

        It is ironical, that Clarence Darrow would quote the Bible at this time in his life; the Bible which he professed not to believe!

        One can only read this with a great sadness of heart. And yet, when we read the very opposite, and I speak of this Eleventh Chapter of Hebrews, we come away with a far different reaction.

A Good Report

        The phrase, "Obtained a good report," which refers to the only way that such can be obtained – we speak of Faith, and more particularly, Faith in God and His Word, which translates into "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified." As we go down through this long list, we will see that the Faith mentioned, is Faith in Christ.

        If in fact, it is Faith and Faith alone which can guarantee a "good report," then it also means at the same time, that nothing else before God will bring about these desired results. Good works will not do such, nor anything else one might contemplate. It is only Faith! And when we say "Faith," let the Reader understand, that always and without exception, we are speaking of Faith in Christ and His great Sacrifice.

True Faith Produces Works; Works Never Produce Faith

        While works will never produce Faith, Faith will definitely produce works.

        In orthodox evangelical circles today, the popular conception of the nature of saving faith is tragically inadequate. "By Grace, through Faith, plus nothing," has become the watchword; however, that does not adequately state the case. Saving faith can never be "plus nothing." For saving faith cannot exist apart from repentance. Paul said:

        "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21).

        Repentance is concerned, not only with the past, but even more with the present and the future. It involves not only sorrow for the sins of the past, but the submission of the soul and life to the Lordship of Christ for the present and the future. There is a sense in which we must believe in Christ, not only "with all our heart," but with all our life as well.

        James said, "To be hearers of the Word, but not doers, is to deceive ourselves" (James 1:22). He also said, "Faith without works is as dead and worthless as the body without the spirit" (James 2:14-16).

        "Faith in Christ" which leaves the "Believer" free of any allegiance and devotion to Him is shear presumption. A "plus nothing" Faith avails nothing. Only obedient faith is saving faith – living, conquering faith that "overcomes the world."

God's Honor Roll - The Hall Of Fame Of Faith

        Some have called this Eleventh Chapter "God’s Honor Roll." It is indeed a wonderful record of the triumphs of faith on the part of imminent servants of God who lived in three different dispensations:

• 1. Abel, Enoch, and Noah, lived in the Dispensation of Conscience.

• 2. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph lived during the Dispensation of Promise.

• 3. Moses and all the others thereabout, lived during the Dispensation of Law.

        All these were but preparatory periods leading on to the present glorious dispensation of the Grace of God. But in all these past ages we see that Faith was the controlling power that enabled men to walk with God and triumph over the corrupting influences of their times. It is important to remember that God has never had two ways of saving men. While the Revelation of His Grace has come gradually, and various rites and ceremonies have been linked with it at different times, these latter have had nothing to do with the regenerating or justifying of the individual. It has always been true that Faith in God’s Word, whatever that Word may have been, which in some way has always pointed to Christ, has alone justified man before Him, and through that Word men have been saved in all ages, thus entering into His spiritual kingdom and recognizing His authority in a world at variance with that Divine Rule (Ironside).

Through Faith We Understand.......................

Hebrews 11:3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

        The exegesis is:

• 1. We understand from this Verse that God functions from the principle of Faith.

• 2. It was through faith that God created the solar system. This is why Science cannot trace the creation back to its origin. There is an unseen force that does not submit itself to experimental science, and this is the object of faith.

• 3. As it regards God, His Faith created His Word; as it regards human beings, His Word creates Faith.

• 4. The visible worlds (the universe) were not created out of material in existence, for at the beginning there were no materials. Faith created it all, through the spoken Word of God.

        The phrase, "Through faith," proclaims this great principle as beginning with God. However, where the opposite of unbelief is prevalent in man, such is not possible with God, because unbelief is a product of disobedience to God. As best we can understand, God works from the principle of Faith which pronounces His Word, with the logical conclusion being the announcement of that Word. However, His Faith never produces idle words, but rather that which creates and constructs.

        This Faith of which we speak, is so prevalent in God’s creation, that the entirety of mankind, even fallen man, operates on this principle, whether he understands it or not. In fact, every Scientist has come by his discoveries strictly on the basis of faith. Every experiment has been entered into on the basis of Faith. They may not understand that as such, but that’s actually what it is. In fact, were there no faith, there would be no experimentation. The very nature of such demands Faith.

        The societies of the world which function best, do so on the basis of faith. I speak of the so-called market economy, or the "law of supply and demand," as it is called! In fact, there is enough Christianity in the United States, and certain other countries, which has imbued the very system with faith, which has made these countries the envy of the world.

        To go to the other end of the spectrum, and we speak of Communism, we find a system which is completely unworkable, simply because it stifles all faith. And then there are many countries of the world that are controlled more or less by witchcraft, which of course nullifies faith.

        Now let the Reader understand, that the faith which we here mention is not saving faith, but it is faith nevertheless. The only type of Faith that God will recognize as saving faith is that which is evidenced in Jesus Christ and His great Sacrifice.

Creation

        The phrase, "We understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God," refers to creation, along with everything that goes with creation.

        "Understand" in the Greek is "noeo," which means, "to perceive with reflective intelligence." It is distinguished from the mere physical act of seeing. It is the perception of the mind consequent upon seeing. It means that our knowledge of this fact is derived only from Faith, and not from our own reasoning. In the first place, how in the world can we properly reason worlds being brought into existence by the mere decree of God’s Word? To understand such we would have to be God; consequently, we as creatures can only comprehend up to a certain level as it regards the Creator.

        "Worlds" in the Greek is "aion," and means "the material universe, and the periods of time as administered by God." In other words, we are speaking here of a well ordered creation.

        The words "were framed" in the Greek are "katartizo," which means "to fit out or equip, so that person or thing thus equipped or fitted out, might carry out the purpose for which it was made." It speaks of a wise adaptation of part to part and of the whole to its purpose, in this case, of the created universe and the periods of time, all brought into being by the Word of God (Wuest).

        Expositors say: "The Word of God is an invisible force which cannot be perceived merely by sense. The great power, and great it is, which lies at the source of all that is, does not itself come into observation; we perceive it only by faith which is ‘the evidence of things not seen’."

        "Word" as is used here in the Greek, is not the translation of "logos" as it usually is, and as is used in John 1:1, which is expressed there as a designation of the Son of God as the Word of God in the sense that He is in Himself all that Deity is – Deity expressing itself not in words as parts of speech, but in the Revelation of a Person. This Greek word that Paul here uses is "hrema," which "speaks of articulate utterance." This word is never used as a designation of God the Son. It is the Word of God to which reference is made here, not the Son of God. God spoke the Word, and a universe sprang into existence (Wuest).

Not Made Of Things Which Do Appear.............

        The phrase, "So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear," takes us beyond comprehension. Once again, we come back to faith.

        To which we have already alluded, when God began creation, He did not begin with the materials that we presently see. He began with nothing, thereby speaking into existence the things which do appear.

        Men have speculated all through the centuries as to the origin of the universe, and have questioned whether matter is eternal, or whether it was directly created by God. By Revelation, we know that matter is not eternal, and in fact, was created by God. This means that faith alone gives apprehension of the Truth. By Faith we understand Genesis Chapter 1. It is only unbelief and willful rejection of the testimony of God that makes men stumble at and pervert so wondrous an unfolding of the beginnings of the created heavens and Earth. Faith bows in subjection to the witness God has given and glorifies Him for such a marvelous unfolding of the Divine Wisdom.

        The late F. W. Grant has aptly pointed out the incongruity of the position of a scientist like Charles Darwin, whose book, The Origin of the Species, was hailed by many as throwing a flood of light upon the method of creation; and yet in that very book, Darwin never touches the question of origins! The truth is, in the very nature of things, he could not do so, for no man who is not subject to the Holy Spirit knows anything whatever about the beginnings of the material universe, and creatures living in it. But to faith all is plain. The simplest Christian with his Bible before him would say, "By faith we understand" (Ironside).

        The gist of all of this is, if this vast universe has been called into existence by the mere Word of God, and it definitely has, then that tells us there is nothing which we may not believe He has ample power to perform. In fact, this is the manner in which God answered Job.

The Patriarch Job

        When the Patriarch Job questioned God concerning the terrible plight in which he found himself, when God ultimately answered, He did so by pointing to His creation (Job, Chpts. 38-41).

        In essence, the Lord was telling Job, that if He (God) could create the heavens and the Earth and all that therein is, then Job need not worry about his little problems. The Creator could handle that with ease!

        Consequently, the Holy Spirit opens up the great portrayal of Faith, by pointing to the unlimited Power of God, which again tells us, that God Who can do such things as this, will have no difficulty honoring His Word to us. In other words, the Holy Spirit starts out from the highest possible standard. Thereafter, everything else as it regards His dealings with man, seem quite small by comparison. In fact, that within itself generates Faith, which it is meant to do!

Abel, Being Dead Now Yet Speaks

The composite is:

1. Understanding from the previous Verse that God operates by Faith, we now learn that man is to operate by faith as well.

2. The very beginning of the illustration of faith as it regards man, centers up on Faith in Christ and Him Crucified.

3. By this and this alone did Abel obtain witness that he was righteous.

4. God testified to the fact that He accepted the gift presented by Abel, which was the life of an innocent victim, a Lamb, expressed by the pouring out of its blood, which symbolized Christ Who was to come.

5. Abel himself testifies, and even though dead, continues to testify, that Salvation is through sacrificial blood, and is only through sacrificial blood.

        The phrase, "By Faith," follows in the same train as the opening of Verse 3. That particular Verse proclaims Faith to be the manner of God, while Verse 4 proclaims faith to be the manner of man as well. In other words, God would deal with man on the principle of faith, and man would deal with God "by Faith." And this is where the great problem with humanity begins.

        Man attempts to deal with God by works, by merit, by education, by the intellect, with money, and various other things; however, these other things always reach a deaf ear as it regards God. If man wants to deal with God, wants to address God, wants God to hear him, he must deal by and through Faith. However, there is a step two to the process.

        Unfortunately, a great part of the Church attempts to deal with God by Faith without the correct object. In other words, people will claim that their Faith is in God, or in Christ, or in the Word of God, etc. While those things are certainly correct, they actually do not say very much within themselves. And as well, most Christians only have a vague idea of what it all means.

        When it comes to the matter of believing, James said, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the Devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19).

        Therefore, such Faith as we have just mentioned, while correct as far as it goes, really doesn’t go far enough. The Believer must understand and know the object in which he is to express faith. Actually, the next phrase gives us this information.

A More Excellent Sacrifice

        The phrase, "Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain," immediately proclaims what the object of our Faith must be. It must be "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified" (I Cor. 2:2). In other words, to just say that one believes in God, or in God’s Word, or even in Christ, within itself, as stated, doesn’t say very much. Our Faith must be in Christ and His great Sacrifice. This is the manner in which God deals with man, and this is the manner in which man can approach God – by and through the Sacrifice of Christ, which Paul grandly highlights throughout the entirety of this Epistle to the Hebrews.

        It is grandly significant that Paul chooses Abel as the first example of what Faith can do for the one who exercises it, and to be sure, Paul was told to use this example by the Holy Spirit. In the case of Abel, it was the matter of his personal Salvation which was in view, as was also the case with the recipients of the Letter to the Hebrews. If Abel’s appropriation of Salvation was by means of Faith, and that the object of his faith was to be the Cross of Christ, for that’s exactly what the Sacrifice represented, that would mean that all who follow must come in the same manner.

        It also tells us, that the salvation of the soul, which of course is the spiritual condition of man, is that which is by far the most important. While all other things may carry a measure of significance, it is sin that has separated man from God, and it is only the Sacrifice of Christ which can address this situation.

        Abel’s sacrifice was more excellent than that of Cain’s, his brother. And that which made it more excellent was not its quantity but its quality. Its quality inhered in the fact that it was the Offering which God had prescribed, a Blood Offering, which was to be symbolic of the coming Redeemer, Whom the Lord had already promised would come (Gen. 3:15, 21). Incidentally, Abel "brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof." Then the Scripture says, "And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering" (Gen. 4:4).

For I Am Determined to know NOTHING, except Christ and Him Crucified! - Paul to the Corinthians - 1:17-18