Reply To: Grace And Faith 2024/2025 Discussion Board 1

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

I agree with you, brother, that faith transcends physical struggles. From our text, Hebrews 11, these heroes of faith had their eyes focused on God and eternity that they did not reckon with whatever physical struggles they experienced. Some of them were stoned, sawn asunder, slain with a sword (Hebrews 11:36-38), yet they believed God, remained loyal to Him, and lived with eternity in view.
To them, the victory they had received by faith was more than the temporary inconvenience they faced. And after all these, scripture says they did not receive the promise (verse 39). This “promise” not yet received refers to the coming of Christ and the final consummation of God’s plan. This failure to obtain the fulfilment of the promise was not due to any slackness on the part of God nor to any defect in their faith; there was a good reason for it, and that reason was that ‘God had in view some better thing for us, that without us they should not be perfected. The promise was for an appointed time, and when the fullness of time came, the promise was fulfilled.

In conclusion, Hebrews 11:39 doesn’t negate the idea of faith leading to victory, but rather clarifies that victory can manifest in various forms, including spiritual blessings and an inheritance beyond the earthly realm, which is still to come.