What is a hero? How does a hero look like in the eyes of God?

Today is National Heroes Day, a day of remembering those who have died in our nation’s service. We won’t be enjoying the freedom we have today without these people’s heroism. But let me ask you: what is a hero? Well, a flip through a dictionary can show you a number of definitions. But what I want to focus on is how does a hero look like in the eyes of God?  Hebrews 11 provides us with a list of some of God’s past heroes. They were ordinary people who were used by God. Everyone here can be one of God’s heroes. But what does it take to be a true hero, a Christian hero? You see, a Christian hero is not some superman, endowed with a myriad of abilities and talents. It is an individual who is willing to believe God’s Word, commit himself to God’s Will, and devote himself to God’s Work.

Belief in God’s Word - Today, many looked up to sport stars and athletes, movie stars and musicians as heroes. They are seen, as heroes because in many ways they do things that most of us can’t. But God’s heroes, the heroes of the Bible, were not men and women of extraordinary ability or talent but men and women of extraordinary faith. Every individual listed in Hebrews 11 took God at His Word. From Abraham to Moses to Joseph, etc…

Commitment to God’s Will – (Read Hebrews 11:13-16Hebrews 11:13-16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 These all 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. in faith: Gr. according to faith ¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. ¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.  

WP-Bible plugin). “It does not take great men to do great things; it only takes consecrated men.” (Phillips Brooks). Who is a hero? He who conquers his will and surrenders to God’s will! Jesus, our greatest and ultimate hero exemplified it when at the Garden He prayed, “Not My will but Your will be done!” (Matthew 26:39Matthew 26:39
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  

WP-Bible plugin). The Holy Spirit chooses the nobodies of the church and makes them somebody when they are committed to God’s will in their lives. The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire for God. We are to be consecrated not to Christian work, but to the will of God, to be and to do whatever He requires.

”Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build up the kingdom of God on earth”. (James S. Hewett)

…the heroes of faith – those who Believe in God’s Word, Committed to God’s will and Devoted to God’s Work.

Devoted to God’s Work – Heroism is faith transformed into action. Matthew 23:11Matthew 23:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  

WP-Bible plugin “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”  There is a Norwegian Proverb that says’ A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer.” In Christ’s service, the heroes are those who work until Christ says it’s time to stop. So beloved, here are the heroes of faith – those who Believe in God’s Word, Committed to God’s will and Devoted to God’s Work. How about you?