DISCOURSE: 2323
THE PRACTICAL EFFICACY OF FAITH
Hebrews 11:13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
THE precepts contained in Scripture may be supposed to admit of a latitude of interpretation favourable to the views of those who profess to regard them; but the examples that are recorded there, exhibit a light, which the ingenuity of man in vain attempts to obscure. Who that reads the history of the patriarchs, and the commendations bestowed upon them, can doubt the efficacy of faith to produce obedience, or the nature of that obedience that ought to be produced? After all the allowance that must of necessity be made for a diversity of situation between them and us, the principle by which they were actuated remains the same, and its operation also must be the same, as far as the circumstances in which we are agree with theirs. It is manifest that the catalogue which is here given us of holy men, was not recorded merely for the sake of historical information, but for our instruction in righteousness, and as an incentive to imitate their virtues. The passage before us relates to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who alone “had opportunity to return to the country which they had left:” confining therefore our attention to them, we shall shew,
I. Wherein they excelled—
From the account given of them in the text, we are led to admire,
1. The strength of their faith—
[They were taught to expect a numerous seed, and the possession of the land of Canaan: and, together with these temporal blessings, others of a far sublimer nature were promised; namely, a descendant in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed; and an everlasting inheritance in heaven — — — These promises they did not see accomplished: yea, not even the temporal blessings did they receive: for in the space of two hundred and forty years their posterity in the promised line amounted to but seventy; and Jacob, after sojourning as a stranger in Canaan, died in Egypt. But the patriarchs “walked by faith, and not by sight;” and, notwithstanding all their discouragements and delays, held fast their confidence even unto death: “they all died in faith.”]
2. Its practical effects—
[Expecting higher blessings than this world could afford, they disregarded the things of time and sense as of little value — — — They considered themselves as mere “pilgrims and sojourners on the earth,” and repeatedly “confessed” this to be their true and proper character [Note: Genesis 23:4; Genesis 47:9.]. This correspondence between their principles and their practice marked both the sincerity and efficacy of their faith, and was, in fact, their highest commendation.]
It will be easily seen from hence,
II.
Wherein they should be imitated—
We are certainly not required to resemble them in their wandering unsettled kind of life; but we should imitate them,
1. In the state of their minds—
[We have promises, as they also had; and promises which yet remain to be fulfilled to us. God has not only assured us of acceptance with him in and through his beloved Son, but has engaged to send his Holy Spirit into our hearts, for the carrying on and perfecting his work within us. We meet with many delays and difficulties, which at times disquiet our minds, and lead us almost to doubt the truth of the promises themselves: but we should “against hope believe in hope:” yea, we should “hold fast the rejoicing of our hope firm unto the end.” If God be true to his word, and able to perform it, “not one jot or tittle of it can ever fail.” Convinced of this, we should say, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”]
2. In the habit of their lives—
[The name “pilgrims and strangers” was not given to the patriarchs merely on account of their sojourning in a strange land; for David, after he was established on his throne, and had subdued all his enemies on every side, assumes the same title [Note: 1 Chronicles 29:15.]; and the same appellation is given to us also under the Christian dispensation [Note: 1 Peter 2:11.]. Though we are not called to dwell in moveable habitations, we, as much as the patriarchs themselves, should answer to the character of pilgrims. We should feel only indifference to the things of this world — — — We should be daily advancing towards the heavenly world — — — And we should look forward to death as the consummation of all our happiness — — —]