24 Characteristics of Faith

Recently I was listening to someone speak and they happened to read Hebrews 11:38 as part of their text.  It wasn’t the principle part, yet the Holy Spirit “grabbed” my attention when I read it.  This verse is at the end of a long list of people who demonstrated “Faith.”  Here’s what the verse says: “They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground” (Hebrews 11:38 NLT). God’s Word declares that these people of Faith were “too good for this world.” Another translation says “the world was not worthy of them.”  Let’s examine what it was about their Faith that made these people so “special.”

Who were these people of Faith?

There is a long list that includes: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ Parents, Moses, The Children of Israel, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.

24 Characteristics of Faith

1. The men and women of Faith earned a good reputation (Hebrews 11:2 & 39)
2. A life of Faith will speak for generations and generations (Hebrews 11:4)
3. A person of Faith will be known as a person who pleases God. Without Faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:5 & 6)
4. True Faith results in obedience and righteousness (Hebrews 11:7)
5. People of Faith trust God even when they can’t see the end result (Hebrews 11:8)
6. Faith looks forward not back (Hebrews 11:10, 14 & 15)
7. Living by Faith is believing God keeps His promise (Hebrews 11:11)
8. Men and women of Faith continue believing even when the promise isn’t realized in their lifetime (Hebrews 11:13)
9. A person of Faith doesn’t bring shame to God (Hebrews 11:16)
10. Faith will sacrifice your dearest possessions (Hebrews 11:17)
11. Faith believes the impossible (Hebrews 11:19)
12. People of Faith offer “blessings” to others not cursing (Hebrews 11:20 & 21)
13. When you have Faith you can speak “confidently” about the future (Hebrews 11:22)
14. People of Faith see the “unusual” and react (Hebrews 11:23)
15. A person of Faith may chose to share in the “oppression” of others rather than enjoy temporary “pleasure” (Hebrews 11:24-26)
16. People of Faith don’t live in fear because they keep their eyes on God (Hebrews 11:27)
17. Faith trusts God despite the surrounding circumstances (Hebrews 11:28)
18. The “outcome” for people of Faith is the opposite of those without Faith (Hebrews 11:29)
19. Sometimes the results of Faith are only seen through our patience (Hebrews 11:30) Tweet This
20. People of Faith take risks others won’t (Hebrews 11:31)
21. Faith turns weakness into strength (Hebrews 11:34)
22. Faith places our hope in a better life after the resurrection (Hebrews 11:35)
23. Faith will result in a person living a life that is “too good for this world” (Hebrews 11:38)
24. Faith is knowing God has something better in mind (Hebrews 11:39 & 40)

How about you?  Are you displaying any of these Faith characteristics?  Are you living a life of Faith such that “the world is not worthy of you?” If not, maybe you should be.  Share this list with your friends by clicking the Twitter, Facebook, or Email buttons below.

— Keith