Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2)For by it the elders obtained a good testimony………(8) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. (9) By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; (10) for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (11) By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. (12) Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The author of Hebrews is unknown. Jewish Christians had been had been exposed to persecution and were in danger of reversion to the Jewish faith and the author presented the sufficiency and superiority of Christ – the emphasis of the letter was on justification by faith but more so on the operation of God outworking justifying faith in face of trials. Faith is mean of spiritual reality of gaining God’s approval and understanding the origin of all that is. Trust is essential; truth is critical for a close relationship with God and must be expressed in love. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. Faith proves to us the fact that the things we presently cannot see are very much true and real. Faith is God’s gift, not from human effort. Jesus is both the author and protector of faith. Jesus Christ will save all that come to Him in faith.

The most solemn warning against apostasy is the declaration that total apostasy would be fatal and this is the reason Hebrews was written. In Hebrews 11 we read of the wonders of faith which initiates our obedience – the author uses Abraham for this example. He was self exiled from his home and wandered on earth – when called by God he obeyed. He left his direction of wanderings entirely in the Lord’s hands and obeyed. Faith does not live on things seen but on something yet to come. The point here is when God calls there are no guarantees and no certainty about the future; tht ws the truth and secret of Abraham’s life. Living by faith means waiting for God to keep His promises. Living in a city without foundations means without security and permanence – all earthly cities eventually crumble to dust. Nothing built by man lasts forever. Nothing in this world is secure, certain or safe.

We are taught in the Bible that we are not just called to worship but we are saved in order to be instruments for the work that God would have us do. God’s divine call is initiated by Him. The Holy Spirit brings regenerated life to the called. We are strangers and sojourners in this world – the citizenship of the faithful is in heaven. God calls us with a holy calling focused on eternity.