was in the head, “virtue” in the heart or breast of man, and “passion” in the abdomen. Perhaps it was in clear reference to this popular division of the soul that Paul wrote about the enemies of the cross as those, “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly . . Philippians 3:19. But what about faith? The life of faith, as presented in Hebrews 11:1 and following, is actually a life of reason. The word itself, Pistls, not only speaks of “accepting” and “obeying” God’s message for man, faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as “substance” and “evidence.” In the Greek language, substance and evidence are often used as legal terms. What a significant illustration—faith in a legal setting! Our acceptance of Christ and obedience to God’s message (faith) guarantees to us all the unseen blessings hoped for in Christ. Faith is taken as a court document that assures us the promise of eternal life before a just God. Further, faith is “evidence.” The word here not only suggests the cold evidence of fact and testimony, but the logical and persuasive presentation of that material before he who is to judge. And note as you read on in Hebrews, there follows a marshalling of case studies to show how this faith was sufficient in God’s court. The courts of that day, though imperfect instruments in the hands of fallible men, still attempted to stand for evidence, analysis, and reasoned decision. The Christian life, I firmly believe, is to be entered and lived with all our new heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). We should not be led by unbridled passion, we ought not to think only of ourselves and what satisfies us. And above all, we must present this dynamic message of salvation to a lost and desperate world. It is time for disillusioned men to think again of Jesus Christ and his gift of the satisfied life.
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