"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval" (Hebrews 11:1-2).
Christian faith produces righteous deeds.
Hebrews 11 has been called "The Heroes of Faith," "The Faith Chapter," "The Saints Hall of Fame," "The Honor Roll of the Old Testament Saints," and "The Westminster Abbey of Scripture." Those are appropriate titles because this chapter highlights the virtues of faith as demonstrated in the lives of great Old Testament saints. It also reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Such a reminder was necessary for the first-century Hebrew people because Judaism had abandoned true faith in God for a legalistic system of works-righteousness. Its message is also valid today because our devotion to Christ can easily degenerate into a religion of rules and regulations.
While affirming the primacy of faith, the writer of Hebrews doesn't undermine the importance of righteous works. Quite the contrary. He exhorts us "to stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (10:24) and to pursue holiness so others will see Christ in us and be drawn to Him (12:14).
Yet, righteous works are the by-product of true salvation, not its means. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Apart from faith, all attempts to please God through good works alone are as useless and offensive to Him as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). That's why Paul gladly set all his Jewish legalistic practices aside, counting them as "rubbish." He wanted only "the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith" (Philippians 3:8-9).
As you read through the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11, remember that they weren't perfect people. But their faith was exemplary, and by it they gained God's approval.
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