The word “faith” is used in two ways in the bible:

1. Objective faith

2. Subjective faith

Hebrews 11:8-19 refers to subjective faith. Our lives must begin in faith, continue in faith and end in faith. Our faith must not shrink.

1. Faith alone in our calling (Heb 11:8-10)

Abraham did not know where he was supposed to go when the Lord called him out of the Ur of the Chaldees. By faith Abraham trusted in God’s promises even though the circumstances around him seemed impossible. Abraham was not supposed to live in a city because he was to be separate unto God. Abraham obeyed in faith and dwelt in tabernacles.

It is important for us to know God’s calling for us. Before salvation we lived aimlessly, but after salvation we must live for God according to His calling for us.

2. Faith alone in the impossible (Heb 11:11-16)

Sara gave birth to Isaac when she was 90 years old, way past her childbearing age. Sara believed that God was able to turn the impossible into the possible. She believed God’s promise that Abraham’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky.

God did the impossible for us by sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins to save us. So we can have complete faith in the Lord for our lives because nothing is impossible for God. This world is not our home, we must live as strangers and pilgrims here.

3. Faith alone in testings (Heb 11:17-19)

When God told Abraham to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering, Abraham obeyed God in faith. He believed that God would raise up Isaac from the dead as Isaac was the promised seed given by God. Our faith will be tested to reveal how real our faith in God is.

We must reflect on our lives to make sure our faith is genuine in these last days.