11. What faith can we share with all believers who lived before us? Hebrews 11:13-16.
NOTE: ‘God promised to give Abraham an inheritance in the land of Canaan, yet Abraham died without receiving it. Now since it is impossible for God to lie, the only possible explanation is that God meant that Abraham should receive it at the resurrection. And this is just what Abraham expected, for not only he, but his children also, “died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13. The fact that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob died “in faith,” without having received the promised inheritance, but “were persuaded” that they should, shows that they had not expected it in this present life. If they had, they would have died disappointed, instead of in faith. If we turn to Genesis 15:15, 16, we shall find that God plainly told Abraham that he should die before the inheritance was bestowed, thus leaving him no other ground of hope but the resurrection. This hope was his consolation through life and in death.’ E. J. Waggoner: Present Truth, November 28, 1895.
12. What important element is added into the mix and what practical difference does it make? 1 Corinthians 13:13.
NOTE: ‘It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praises does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often stand highest in His sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did. She deprived herself of food in order to give those two mites to the cause she loved. And she did it in faith, believing that her heavenly Father would not overlook her great need. It was this unselfish spirit and childlike faith that won the Saviour’s commendation.’ Desire of Ages, page 615.