I wanted to give a little bit of food for thought this evening - something to meditate on while falling asleep. Obviously we know the apostles lived by faith constantly. The question I want to ask is how often they spoke by faith, confirming the end result of things hoped for within their writings?
Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.
2 Corinthians 4:13
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written: “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak
Mark 11:23-24
23 Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. 24 Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.
John 16:23-24
23 And on that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name (Within the boundaries of his nature, character, and authority), He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
For bringing about things that are not as if they were is a part of his nature, character, and authority.
Romans 4:17
17 (as it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, that is, God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that do not exist.
Isaiah 46:9-11
9 Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a distant country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, I will certainly do it.
Abraham expressed this idea of speaking by faith as he brought Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him. Knowing this was the Father’s commandment, alongside the promise that Abraham’s descendants would come through Isaac, Abraham was convinced he would sacrifice Isaac then return to his servants with him.
Genesis 22:1-5
1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” 3 So Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.”
Hebrews 11:17-19
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had received the promises was offering up his only son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “Through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
Therefore, I present the thought again. How often do the apostles ask, speak, and believe within their writings the confirmation of things hoped for and things not yet seen?
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