Champions of Faith – Summer Theme (Hebrews 11-12, esp. 12:1-3)

What does it mean to be a champion of faith? When you think of a champion, do you think of someone who has accomplished a unique feat? Won an important event? Or vanquished a rival? In each of these, we find an obvious victory. But are champions of faith the same? Does a champion of faith have everything turn out well for them in the end? The Bible screams out to us that the answer is most often no! Not surprisingly since “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8).

Read through chapter 11 of Hebrews and you find not only the victorious champions like Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, and even Rahab the prostitute, but you find champions that were “tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two: they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated... They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground... These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Think of Abel, murdered for his ability to give God the best he had to offer, of Job who never wavered in his trust in the Lord but endured so much suffering and pain, and Paul, who gave up his entire livelihood to sit in a jail cell for the gospel. Think also of Elijah, Daniel, Peter, and so many others who were persecuted for their faith and never necessarily received an earthly “victory.” Yet these are the witnesses that we read about in Hebrews 12:1 alongside those like David and Samuel who had incredible victory in their time on earth. What is different about God’s kingdom that he would call even these “failures” CHAMPIONS?

The difference is everything. It is the foundation of our faith and it’s found in the very same passage. “...God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” GOD has complete and utmost control. And he promises that his plan is BETTER for US. Only TOGETHER – by the collective stories of our faith – will the true victory, the PERFECT victory be realized.

Have you ever had your mind blown by the resolution of a complicated movie/book/drama when all the pieces fall into place and you recognize the brilliance of the plot, and you just think, “How did the author COME UP WITH THAT?” Now multiply that recognition by 50 000 (or infinity...) and you will feel the awe you will meet when you experience our Heavenly Father on the final day and realize how he has used your life in this complicated thing we called salvation/redemption. When things don’t go as planned, or even when they do – remember that GOD HAS GOT THIS. He has planned it – and though it may suck in the moment, it is happening for a reason and the result will ultimately be VICTORY if you live by faith in his Son. And what does God tell us faith is? “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” Be a champion - confident about your salvation, assured that Christ has died to take care of your sins.

There is one thing about champions of faith that is the same about “worldly champions” though. As unfortunate as it is, we won’t all be champions. This is not to say that we CAN’T all be champions, but humanity’s relationship with the Father dictates that each and every one of us have the choice – and human nature dictates that many of us will turn down the offer. God HAD to give us the choice, or there would be no champions. There would only be mediocrity – following God because there was no other option.

So when you come to a crossroad, walk in faith that God’s plan will prevail – no matter our decision. Whether or not you participate in God’s plan is not necessarily going to change your worldly outcome – you may follow the world and live the happiest life on the earth and suffer for eternity after death, or you may follow Jesus Christ and suffer greatly in this life, but have the satisfaction of being God’s eternal child. God doesn’t guarantee safety and happiness. But he guarantees something so much better. Life to the full – the life of a champion.