A lot of people want to go to Heaven, especially in comparison with the alternative of hell, but sadly many Christians are more interested in laying up treasures on earth, even though Jesus said that’s where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19).
An avid fisher-woman told me that she wasn’t too excited about going to Heaven, saying if Heaven was better than her sitting by the water with her fishing rod, she just didn’t think she could handle it.
Another Christian I know was defending his lifestyle of not glorifying the Lord. His response was he was saved by grace and didn't care anything about living for Christ now and laying up rewards in Heaven. "I don't care about a mansion in glory," he said. "As long as I have a tiny little shack on the outskirts of Heaven, that would be fine with me."
Such a low view of Heaven and a high view of Earth is not Biblical, especially in light of Hebrews chapter 11. One way to keep our focus on Heaven is to first define what it means to have faith and second to see what faith in action looks like.
Hebrews chapter 11 defines faith in verse 1 and demonstrates faith throughout the rest of the chapter. Hebrews 10 introduces chapter 11 with words like “full assurance of faith” (10:22), “confidence” (10:19, 35), and “not shrink back”. Since we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), the question of “What is faith?” is a good one.
King James and New King James versions use the word "substance" to translate the word hupostasis of what is "hoped for". That word is similar in sound and spelling but in in sharp contrast with two similar words for “shrink back”: hupostoles and hupostello in the previous two verses of chapter 10. Let's look at how the writer leads into the wonderful chapter 11, or what many call the "Hall of Faith".
"Shrinking back" leads to destruction, but the “certainty” and “assurance” of faith leads to the testimonies in chapter 11.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in HOPE; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this HOPE, but HOPE that is seen is not HOPE; for why does one still HOPE for what he sees? 25 But if we HOPE for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
After the certainty of things hoped for, we see that Faith is also the conviction of “things not seen”. This thought found also found in a similar passage in James 2:18, when the writer said he would “show his faith by his works”. Faith is unseen, but the proof of faith, seen in its actions, is undeniable.
