Faith is an Impetus for Action. (Part 1 of 10)
“Now, faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Bible scholars and commentators have called Hebrews 11 the “Hall of Faith”, for good reason. The central message of Hebrews is the gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. In making his case to the original Jewish audience, the author delves heavily into Judaism to show how Jesus fulfills his readers’ spiritual heritage. In chapter 11, the writer gives assurance that the patriarchs were saved by that same faith in that same Christ, to them a promised Messiah and to the reader a risen Savior.
The author first defines the word “faith” in 11:1 and thereafter identifies the faith of many patriarchs. His commendations have a common theme. “By faith Noah…built”. “By faith Abraham obeyed and went”. “By faith Moses…chose to suffer”. That theme is action, positing that faith is more than mere belief. James vividly makes a similar point.
“In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe – and they shudder”. James 2:17-19.
We lawyers should see that faith requires an element found in many legal claims – reliance. Fraud, misrepresentation, or even negligence harms victims who detrimentally rely on what they believe to be truth, accuracy, or the reasonable prudence of another.
“Confidence in what we hope for” should inspire action. The patriarchs listed in Hebrews 11 are compelling examples because their faith was validated by what they did in reliance. Our faith should have similar results, which leads to the title of this article. Faith is an impetus for action.
Impetus is defined as the force or energy with which a body moves, the force that makes something happen or happen more quickly. While not every action is the result of faith, true faith should result in action, because faith is an impetus for action.
As we spend the next nine sessions walking through the Hall of Faith, we will evaluate the particular faith actions cited and hopefully be emboldened to let our faith be as demonstrative. Stay tuned.
