We cannot know that God loves us just because we have good things and a good life. We know that these can disappear in a flash—remember Job? The heroes of the faith listed in Hebrews 11 knew that God loved them and they trusted in God’s promises to them, even through great trial. They were able to do this because they had a real faith that saw the love and promises of God as true in their life regardless of trial.

Reading the story of these great saints encourages us in our faith journey. But as we look around our own congregation and see the great trials that we have been through (and are even now going through), we can be encouraged by each other’s testimony of faith. Faith gives us the power to endure with a peace that passes understanding. When St. Paul wrote that all things work together for good for those who love Christ and are called according to his purpose, he was not just revealing eternal truth. He was giving personal testimony of his faith in Christ in spite of beatings, shipwreck, prison, hunger, cold, loneliness, rejection and more. The faith in Christ he talks about enabled him to endure all of that with the certainty of God’s love for him. So it can be for us.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see (v1). Knowledge does not cause faith. Faith comes first and seeks understanding. Why are we certain of the promises that God has given? When we see answered prayer we are encouraged in our faith, but that does not cause our faith. Without faith we will call answered prayer a "coincidence." Put another way: no one believes in Christ because all his questions are answered. Rather because we believe in Christ, we are patient as we seek the answers from God.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (v 6). Here we see the importance of faith. Without faith we will not be able to know God. If you seek God, you must have faith that what you are looking for is real. You also must believe that seeking to know God will bless you. Faith drives you to know God.

Some people go through life with their spiritual eyes shut. They don’t see the beauty and glory of God because they don’t believe it, even though it is staring them in the face. Have you heard the story of the boy coming out of Sunday school, smiling and whistling? A grumpy old man thinks he can squash this little boy’s joy. "Son, do you believe in God?" "Mister, I sure do." "Well, if you can tell me where God is, I will give you dime." "Mister, I will you a dollar if you can tell me where God ain’t." If you want to know God, you have to believe that he exists and he rewards those who seek him.

Faith in Christ is a power that changes our life. Here is a definition of faith loosely taken from John Calvin. Christian faith is the certain knowledge that God loves me, revealed to my mind by the Holy Scriptures and sealed on my heart by the Holy Spirit. This certain knowledge can change your life. God does not love me because I am perfect, or because I am a minister or because I do this or that. God loves me because he loves me—in spite of myself; in spite of my sins, in spite of my circumstances. By faith I have been given the righteousness of Christ. That is so freeing.

Where does this faith come from? My definition says it comes from the reading the Bible. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. What finally converted the brilliant Augustine was a child’s song to take up and read. He took up and read the book of Romans and he was born again. The rest is Christian history. If you or someone you love wants to have this faith, go to the Word and read it until it grips you. The Word is powerful. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Good theology can be simple as a child’s song.

Of course, some read and study and do not get faith. Some saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead and believed. Other saw and got mad. Rahab saw the power of the Lord and wanted to join God’s people. Others in Jericho just got mad. I can’t explain why two people can hear the same gospel and one turn to Christ in faith and the other walk away shaking his head. There is something beyond human explanation, something supernatural in the way the Holy Spirit calls.

But this I can do. I can point you to Jesus. The real key is to fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising its shame and sat down on the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from scornful men, so you will not grow weary and lose heart.