How does living by faith impact our eternal perspective and priorities? Verse in focus Hebrews 11:13: “All these people died in faith, without having received the promises. Yet they saw them from afar and welcomed them, and they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.” Faith sees beyond the present • Faith accepts God’s promises as settled facts even when fulfillment lies ahead. • Disappointments lose power when divine certainty holds center stage (2 Corinthians 5:7). How this eternal lens rearranges priorities 1. Ownership shifts to stewardship • Matthew 6:19-21 redirects investment from temporary treasures to heavenly ones. 2. Identity moves from earthly to heavenly • Philippians 3:20-21 anchors citizenship in heaven; status and applause lose weight. 3. Choices target lasting reward • Moses chose “the reproach of Christ” over Egypt’s riches, looking to the reward (Hebrews 11:26). Living as strangers and exiles now • Hold possessions lightly; be ready to move at God’s command like Abraham. • Cultivate holiness that marks us as different (1 Peter 2:11). • Speak of hope naturally, reminding ourselves and others where home is. Practical shifts for everyday life • Calendar: frame plans with “If the Lord wills” (James 4:15). • Budget: grow the slice for kingdom causes, shrink mere consumer spending. • Entertainment: choose input that feeds longing for righteousness. • Relationships: invest in people’s eternal good, not just social convenience. Running with the finish line in view Hebrews 12:1-2 urges fixing our eyes on Jesus; endurance flourishes when the promised city already glitters on the horizon (Hebrews 11:16; 13:14). Living by faith lifts the heart above the immediate, sets priorities around the imperishable, and fills each ordinary moment with anticipation of everlasting joy. |
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