God's Hall of Fame, Hebrews 11

      We are a few hours from July 4th, 2011. It should be a time to reflect and honor those who have given all, that we might have freedom to enjoy the things we have today. I do thank God for those who died for our freedoms.

    I would also like take this time to remember those who give for even a greater cause, their Lord and Savior. In Hebrews 11 we see  a list that makes up what I call God's "Hall of Faith". It lists the names and acts of many of God's greatest servants in the Old testament. Yet what is interesting is how Paul finishes the Chapter:

³²And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tellof Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; ofDavid also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³Who throughfaith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtainedpromises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴Quenched the violenceof fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness weremade strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies ofthe aliens. ³⁵Women received their dead raised to life again: andothers were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they mightobtain a better resurrection: ³⁶And others had trial of cruelmockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: ³⁷They were stoned, they were sawn asunder,were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about insheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;³⁸(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered indeserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.³⁹And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,received not the promise: ⁴⁰God having provided some betterthing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11.32-40)

     How many Christians gave their lives for the cause of Christ and we know nothing about their love for the Savior? We will never know about the missionary who gives his life in the jungles that  one  may know Christ. What about that secretary that works in some office of a missions complex to help those that are out preaching the Gospel? What about that Widow that gives a small amount (yet it is all she has) that a soul might hear the Gospel? These precious people are also in God's hall of Faith, they will one day receive their reward.

     As servants of Christ why do what we do? What should be that driving force for us to make such sacrifices? One basic reason, the Love of Christ. Christ loved us enough to give the greatest sacrifice of all.  If He could do that for me, why shouldn't I give my all to Him?
     I finish with Romans 12.1:


¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, thatye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12.1)


     We are requested to give ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord. The Lord is basically asking for us to give Him everything. He gave His all for us, why shouldn't we give all back. Paul states that it is a reasonable service. It is the least we can do. Where do you stand with the Lord today? Let's give Him all.