BELIEVE THE LIGHT YOU HAVE RECEIVED

Throughout the history of creation, God has revealed increasing amounts of truth to mankind.  You might say that He has "increased the wattage of the light" He has revealed.  Chapter Eleven of the Book of Hebrews is known as the "faith chapter."  I would like to make a few observations about its contents:

*       ALL of those listed by name, were saved by having faith in God.
*       Neither Adam, nor Eve, are listed.
*       After the Fall, Abel's obedience to God testified that he had faith in Him (v. 4).
*       Enoch's faith pleased God, and He "translated" him (v. 5-6).
*       Noah's faith resulted in him being called righteous (v. 7).
*       Abraham's faith resulted in him being called righteous (v. 8-19).
*       Isaac's faith allowed him to bless his two sons' futures (v. 20).
*       Jacob's faith allowed him to bless his twelve sons (v. 21).
*       Joseph's faith allowed him to prophesy about Israel's future (v. 22).
*       Moses' parent's faith saved his life from Pharaoh (v. 23).
*       Moses' faith resulted in God using him mightily (v. 24-29).

All of these pillars of faith trusted in Almighty God before the Law was given, and before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!  And yet, we see from Hebrews 11:26, Moses recognized that being a Jew, was to identify with Christ.

*       By faith, "Joshua fit the battle of Jericho" (v. 30).
*       By faith, Rahab, the harlot, was saved by trusting in the God of Israel (v. 31).
*       Because of their faith, thousands died without seeing God's promise fulfilled (v. 32-38).

None of those listed above knew the name of Jesus.  None of them understood that the Gentiles would also be given the opportunity to be saved by faith in God.  None of them were a part of the Body of Christ, and yet, they were all saved!  How can that be?  The Word says that there is none saved by any other name, than that of Jesus:

"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the corner.  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-12).

The answer is found in the fact that salvation is the result of trusting in God.  When a person believes God, he or she receives His Son's righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).  Salvation has always been by faith in God!  Adam lost his righteous state when he chose to disbelieve God.  Abel was counted as being righteous because he chose to believe God.

The more God reveals, the more one is required to believe.

His ultimate revelation is found in Jesus Christ!