What Makes a Valid Faith?

MEMORY VERSE: “Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” —Hebrews 12:3

HEBREWS 11 through 12

IN THIS passage of scripture the apostle brings to our attention the greatest and the grandest example of faithfulness to God ever known—our Lord Jesus—and exclaims that we all should especially consider him who endured so much for truth and for righteousness.

The writer’s use of the word “consider” in this text is an interesting one because it is the only time it is found in the Bible. In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance it is defined “to estimate, or to contemplate,” and Young’s Analytical Concordance suggests “to reckon up” as its meaning. And the author of the Emphatic Diaglott translates this phrase “consider him attentively.” There is no doubt that the Apostle Paul wished us to study, appreciate, and take serious knowledge of our Lord Jesus’ life. The more we study his course in life and realize what it cost him to be faithful to the Heavenly Father’s will and to the principles of truth and righteousness, the more we may see of the exaltation of his marvelous character.

Jesus did not spare his own life, even thou he could have called upon the hosts of heaven to act on his behalf; and he withheld nothing in order that he might do the perfect will of his Heavenly Father. He made no effort to be sensational, that he might attract attention to himself—but quietly and humbly went about his Father’s business. He was loyal to the principles laid down in the Law and by the prophets, and “in his mouth was found no guile,” or deception. When matters arose concerning the Law and its interpretation he presented full and plain instructions respecting it, holding nothing back. He declared that all things came from God, and never claimed that anything that he said or did was of himself.

For this, the Apostle explains, he “endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.” Opposition came about because of his preaching of the truth—the Jewish religious leaders seeing that the message he proclaimed was contrary to the one they gave. The sinners were those of the Jewish people, who, having a measure of light and divine favor, were not obedient to that blessing. The learned Jews, the Doctors of the Law, the scribes, chief priests, and the Pharisees understood the Law and had experience in it, but they failed to appreciate the spirit of the Law and were out of harmony with it. Our Lord’s teachings manifested this fact and led them to take sides against him, even though they often stood in opposition to what they knew to be right.

Yet Jesus realized that the people were blinded and he met the attacks of his enemies with patience, gentleness, kindness, and with an undisputed logic for every question that was hurled at him. He did not back down, however, to those who sought to trap him but often denounced the Pharisees and others as hypocrites, in an attempt to awaken them to some realization of their wrongdoing. His attempts, unfortunately, were largely unheeded.

The apostle declares that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith, and then urges that in our trials and difficulties as children of God and footstep followers of the Master, we remember the extreme experiences that he endured. We are reminded that the shame and ignominy that was endured was not in vain, but was joyfully accepted as the Heavenly Father’s will and for the great joy which was set before him.

We should also gladly walk in his footsteps even as he walked, enduring the experiences that come our way as evidences of God’s overruling power and blessing in our lives, and drinking of his cup faithfully even unto death. When we consider the Master’s experiences it should make ours seem but light afflictions for a moment that will, if we accept them in the proper attitude of heart and mind, work out “for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen are eternal.”—II Cor. 4:17,18

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