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"Having obtained a good testimony through faith..."

Text: Hebrews 11:39a

THE TESTIMONY OF FAITH

How does one conclude the discussion of the subject of faith? Surely not all the questions were fully answered! The author of Hebrews brought out wonderful examples of people who had heroic faith. What about believers in the present? The following text attempts to give us an answer.

“And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith,
Did not receive the promise, God having provided something
Better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”
Hebrews 11:39-40

1. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith

a) The commendation of those who had faith is affirmed.

b) They are described as having “obtained a good testimony through faith”.

2. Did not receive the promise

a) What is “the promise”?

b) Earthly promises had been received.

c) “The promise” must therefore be a reference to what Abraham had looked forward to receiving.

i) This promise is with reference to being with God eternally.

ii) This is the Hope that all believers have- of a dwelling place in God.

3. God having provided something better for us

a) Present day believers are included in the pronoun “us”.

b) God has included believers in the past, in the present and in the future in His provision of an eternal home in heaven.

4. That they should not be made perfect apart from us

a) The circle of the faith community is not complete till all believers are included

b) This glorious thought should gladden our hearts and encourage us to continue to remain steadfast in our faith in God!