Home Faith's Confession Is Steadfast
Faith's
Confession of
God's Word
Understanding
Rhema and
Logos
Declaring The
Ultimate
Victory in
Christ
Hebrews 11:13-16
13 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declared plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

This chapter records glorious victories of faith's champions, yet verses 13-16 speak of those who died, "not having received the promises." Even then, the Bible says "these all died in faith," being content to confess that they were strangers and pilgrims travelling, as it were, through the land: "For true believers, to live by faith is to die by faith" (Wycliffe).
The key to the "confession" (v.13) of this admirable group in Hebrews 11 is that when given a promise by God, as were Abraham and his descendants, they became "fully persuaded" that the promise was true. Thus they embraced (literally "greeted") that promise in their hearts. The word "confess" helps us to understand how easily these of the gallery of faith established their ways before God and left the testimony, which His Word records with tribute. While each of these persons did receive many victories through faith, the text says that none of them received everything that was promised. Whether or not we receive what we "confess" (ask, pray, or hope for) does not change the behaviour or the attitude or the steadfast believer. Faith's worship and walk do not depend on answered or unanswered prayers. Our confession of His lordship in our lives is to be consistent - a daily celebration, with deep gratitude.

 

Home Faith's Confession of God's Word
Understanding Rhema and Logos Declaring The Ultimate Victory in Christ