Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. By faith they understood that the universe was created by God’s command, offered to God better sacrifices than the heathen, were taken away so they did not experience death, heeded God’s warning and delivered their families, left their homes not knowing where they were going, looking to the City of God instead. They believed in the impossible, waited their lifetimes for God’s promises to be fulfilled, were willing to give up everything, knowing that God could perform the impossible. They refused the pleasures of the world, defied evil kings, were saved from God’s wrath, walked through the sea and wilderness, and broke down walls at the sound of trumpets. By faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead—they were raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us. (based on Hebrews 11)
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 04:28:46 +0000
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