Vision, Faith, Passion, and the Right Confession

 

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.  

—Hebrews 11:13

 

Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob all died without witnessing the fulfillment of what God had promised with their physical eyes (Hebrews 11:8-12). However, they perceived their promise through faith. Each of these individuals lived for over a hundred years without seeing their descendants, “born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” (Hebrews 11:12). Nonetheless, they remained faithful. How can we, who have better promises through a far better covenant, do any less (Hebrews 8:6)?

 

Four elements are mentioned in Hebrews 11:13 that empowered these heroes of the faith to remain steadfast. They perceived God’s promises from a distance, embraced those promises, were convinced of their truth, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims. You can summarize these points as follows: they had vision, faith, passion, and the right confession.

 

Hebrews 11:14-15 says: “For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.”

 

Their focus was right. They weren’t after physical things; their hearts were set on heaven. They didn’t even consider what they had given up. All their attention was on what lay before them, not behind them. In Hebrews 11:15, the opportunity to return was linked to what they contemplated. You can’t be tempted by something that you don’t think about. Thus, if you control your thoughts, you will control your temptations.

 

Hebrews 11:15 can be interpreted to mean that since they weren’t mindful of the country they came from, they weren’t tempted to return. All of us would be powerful servants of God if we weren’t tempted. Therefore, we shouldn’t focus on what brings temptation. 

 

Hebrews 11:16 says: “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.

 

Faith is what pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). God knew that these people had faith, and that pleased Him, making Him proud to be called their God. All the people mentioned up to this point in Hebrews 11 had some obvious sin in their lives. Yet God wasn’t ashamed to be associated with them, because God knew their faith. What a good God is our Father!

 

What is your promise?  Do you have vision, faith, and passion for it? Do you confess your hope? If you do not give in to the temptation to return to unbelief, you can be just as Abraham, who did not waver in believing God’s promise but was fully convinced that what God had promised, He was able to perform (Romans 4:21). If you stay focused on your promise, you will be less likely to be tempted to abandon it. Just as these heroes of the faith did not waver, we must also remain steadfast in our focus on what God has promised. When you hold fast to the confession of your hope, God is faithful to His promise (Hebrews 10:23). Your faith pleases God.

 

The Apostle Paul focused on the calling that was His: 

 

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

 

You are heaven-bound, but you, pilgrim, must travel through this land. Are you pressing toward your heavenly goal? Are you making His Word the priority in your life? Deuteronomy 11:21 says that following God’s Word not only multiplies our days, but makes our days as heaven on earth. Your experience on earth may be very difficult, but Jesus prayed that God's will on earth be as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). What you make of your journey is your choice. You can either envision lack and death or abundance and life. As you think in your heart, so you are (Proverbs 23:7). 

 

How can you choose to believe you are a winner and not a loser? Because you are a winner in Christ! He has won for you! You are a new creation in Him—the old is gone! You must forget the past that lies behind you and focus on the truths Christ has bestowed upon you. Focus on God’s Word, and don’t give in to the temptation of unbelief. Keep your vision, faith, and passion strong by giving full attention to God’s promises and confessing them. Press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, being fully convinced that what God has promised you, He can fulfill.

 

You have the opportunity to bring others along on this journey. They will either experience God’s vision, faith, and passion through your life, or in witnessing your defeat, they will give up. Are you surrendering to His purpose, speaking His promises into your life, and continually pressing onward toward the goal of His high calling? 

 

You may be a pilgrim in a strange land, but God travels with you. And God is not merely accompanying you. His fullness is within you, making you complete in Him (Colossians 2:9-10). Embrace the fullness of His grace for you, conquering all sin and its evil fruit. The vision, faith, and passion you have for Him—expressed in your life—will guide you, bringing you safely home, rejoicing, and carrying your sheaves with you (Psalm 126:6).

 

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