Into The Breach – Being A Christian ManSample

Day 2 — Faith in action

Read: Hebrews 11:1-12

The word translated in English as “faith” (pistis, in Greek) has a broad range of meanings, which include belief, confidence, assurance, faithfulness, commitment, loyalty, and allegiance. For the writer of Hebrews, faith is “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (v. 1 NABRE). The great men of the Bible—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—put their trust in God, committing their own lives to God’s plan before they could see what God had in store for them. This faith is the prerequisite for pleasing God and responding to his will (v. 6). The faithful loyalty of these men and their commitment to God opened the door of faith for generations of descendants.  

Each of us is part of this great legacy of biblical heroes who were confident in God’s promises to them and assured that their hopes would be realized. As Christians, Paul tells us that faith means the commitment of ourselves to God in Jesus Christ, the baptismal submission of our intellect and will to God. Even though we can’t see God’s complete plan for our lives, we trust that God will gradually unfold to us the unique plan he desires us to contribute to his will in the world. By remaining faithful to our baptismal promises and loyal to our Lord and Savior, we will discover opportunities every day for showing his presence to those we meet and offering ourselves unselfishly for the good of others. 

REFLECT: In what way could living out my faith be a participation in God’s saving plan for the world? 

PRAY: Lord our God, who calls all people to faith, help me to believe in you and trust in your saving plan. May the good I do today truly please you through my faith in your Son, Jesus Christ.