Faith is being sure of things you haven't seen yet.
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Israel, Joshua, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets all acted in amazing ways that showed they had faith in God.
Chapter 12
With such witnesses, and looking to Jesus, endure in your faith. You haven't suffered to the point of physical harm yet, as Jesus did. God is disciplining you as His children, so don't run away from Him. His discipline will yield fruit in you after a while. Don't stray into bitterness or immorality, or despise your heritage, as Esau did. Your heritage isn't coming to an earthly mountain (Sinai) of fear and dread, but to the heavenly one of Christ. They who forsook God's first covenant were lost; you will certainly be lost if you forsake His second greater covenant with you. You've received a kingdom that can't be shaken, unlike Sinai, which was shaken, but God remains a consuming fire, so fear Him.
Chapter 13
Love each other. Entertain strangers; visit the imprisoned and mistreated. Stay pure and content. Study how your leaders live and imitate them. Jesus stays the same, so don't get derailed by the "new and different" teachings. Grace is more compelling than physical sacrifices; and Jesus was the sacrifice taken outside the camp to bear our sin away. So offer the sacrifice of praise to Him. Help your leaders oversee you with joy. May the God of peace equip you to do His will, as He raised Jesus according to the eternal covenant.
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