The Secret of Greatness
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” -Hebrews 11:6
In looking through the past, both at all the “heroes of faith” found in Hebrews chapter 11, and also in the history of Christianity for the past two thousand years, we find the secret to greatness.
The secret of greatness is faith.
Notice that I did not say belief. Many people claim to believe the words of Jesus, but they do not truly take them to heart. This is not true faith, but simply a shallow and superficial belief; or else they have some faith mixed with unbelief, so that for the most part, their lives are marked with mediocrity and inaction.
True faith results in action, and brings about change in a person’s everyday life.
An example of faith
“And he [Jesus] saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” -Matthew 4:19-20
This was the response of Jesus’ call toward Peter and Andrew: they immediately dropped what they were doing—deeming the kingdom of God of more importance than their earthly matters—and obeyed the call of God. And notice other fisherman, James and John (later to become well-beloved disciples and apostles of Christ) and see their obedience:
“[Jesus] called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” -Matthew 4:21-22
Can you see the faith in these men of God? Can you see how it was not merely a comfortable “belief” in Jesus’ teachings, but a deep, heart-filled faith that resulted in obedience and action?
I am convinced that Christendom is filled with well-meaning “believers”—yet in how few is faith found! In how few of God’s people is found the faith that transforms a life, and results in unflinching and unremitting obedience despite the costs.
The apostle Paul—another great man of God—saw the price, and paid it:
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” -Philippians 3:8
Jesus Christ spoke plainly of the cost of being His disciple, and those that expect His power and blessing ought to be fully prepared to pay the cost in full from the funds of their life.
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? . . . So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” -Luke 14:28, 33
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