Yesterday we began a journey into Spiritual Heroism or Authentic Faith. Faith that you and I can obtain in our everyday life. Faith that will help us when we stumble and fall, but faith that will keep Christ as the focus of our life so that sin is not a habitual part of our life, but something that keeps us humble and on a path of growth and development, not regret.

Now, with that understanding let’s go back to Hebrews 11 and our heroes of the faith where we left off. There are forty verses in the chapter. Thirty-five (and half of verse 36) use encouraging illustrations and statements about individuals who overcame the odds to stand out and be classified as Spiritual Heroes. Midway through verse 36 we find the other four and a half verses, or about 10%, of our reality check:

But others trusted God and were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a better life. Some were mocked and their backs cut open with whips. Others were chained in dungeons. Some died by stoning, and some were sawed in half; others were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, hungry and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world. They wandered over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:35b – 38)

The last two verses (39 & 40) of the chapter summarize the position of both groups of Spiritual Heroes in the Kingdom:

These people we have mentioned received God’s approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God, had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race. (Hebrews 11:39 – 40.)

The believers described in verses 36 through 38 would not normally qualify in most of our minds as Spiritual Heroes. Yet, you must grasp two distinct messages to obtain the mentality necessary for Spiritual Heroism. They are:

• You see the division of thought with the “but others” in verse 35, indicating a different group worthy of mentioning and classified as being on the same scale as the first Spiritual Heroes. (Hebrews 11:35) Their names were not used (as in the first group), but their suffering, oppression and persecution made them worthy of the same recognition as those who today still have household names.
• Verse 40 sums up the reality of the first step of the universal process—Theos had far better things in mind that would benefit you! (Hebrews 11:40) the pressure and stress, which causes you to persevere, will build character and give you hope accompanied by the joy you need to keep a positive attitude.

Now we see the reason the Bible was written the way it was and why I have tried to keep a positive and optimistic attitude in our family through the years. Yes, we will fall, but we will get up again and be better because of the bruises. Tomorrow we will address the basis of an authentic faith.

Love Dad