Hebrews 11 is like a giant checklist for faith. And most of us would feel alright with the first few examples. We could reason that in the moment a wave of clarity would wash over us and we would suddenly have this supernatural faith.

Then it rolls around the part where “Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. “(Hebrews 11:36, 37 NLT)

GULP. I sat on my couch this morning looking at that verse and thought “I don’t have that faith. I don’t have that faith at all.” Granted we are fortunate enough to live in a country where we won’t be executed for our beliefs but how much do we value others opinions of us? I’m guilty of worrying not that theyll think I’m weird for believing, I’ve never cared about that, but I sugarcoat it so that its nice. I try to “sell it” so that it’s more appealing to them in a worldly way. I try to make it trendy. And I’m ashamed of that. How dare I alter the pureness and perfectness of God’s word. How dare I have so little faith in someone whom has so much faith in me, that He would trust me with His work.

And so I offer a challenge as much to myself as to you: Have the faith of someone who is about to be ripped to shreds for your beliefs. Be steadfast in the perfectness of God’s word and the inevitability of His will.