A Biblical View of Heroes of the Faith

If you had to name one Christian who stood out as the most Christlike, who would it be? Would you choose someone from the Bible like Peter or John, or someone from history like William Tyndale or Charles Spurgeon, or D.L. Moody? Perhaps you would choose a modern-day individual like Jim or Elisabeth Elliot, or a pastor or Christian influencer you follow on social media.

The story of the Christian church is a story full of sincere followers of Christ, and we naturally find ourselves impressed by their lives or character, their devotion or bravery for the cause of Christ. Looking to these “Heroes of the Faith” can be helpful or encouraging, but there is also the possibility that a focus on such heroes will discourage or disillusion us.

Even the most Christlike Christian is simply a sinner saved by grace, and as such, they are not perfect. A Biblical perspective will take this into account, and will fight to keep admiration from turning into adoration. Christ is to be our focus, He is to be the One we adore and worship, His is to be our standard of what it means to be a Christian. Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us a balanced view of the dynamic between Christians and those who have gone before:

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

You see, we run surrounded by others, but our focus is to be on Christ. It is ultimately His example we are to follow as we live our lives for Him.

But that doesn’t mean we are not cheered or encouraged by those who have gone before (or even those who are running alongside us.) 1 Corinthians gives us a glimpse at a church whose eyes were firmly fixed on people. They had divided themselves up into groups, saying, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Cephas,” or, “I am of Apollos.” Paul makes it clear that this is not right, and points them to Christ, saying,

“Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” (3:21-23)

But even as he dealt with the error of hero worship, and taught the Corinthian Christians to look to Christ for identity and fulfilment, Paul through the Holy Spirit made this statement:

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

You see, there is a sense in which people provide us with a tangible example of what it means to follow Christ. Christ’s example is sufficient, but He knows our hearts, and I think He often brings us into contact with a godly example in order to show us what following Him looks like in “real life.”

But even as we look at such heroes of the faith as Peter and Paul, we must do so remembering they, as we, are but “dust” (Psalm 103:14) We each have faults and failings, and saved sinners are nevertheless sinners. We “follow” godly men and women only as they in turn follow Christ. Our loyalty and identity must stay rooted in Christ.

When our identity is in Him, we will be able to take the good things in other Christians or in those gone before as an example, and their failures as a warning. Our faith will not be shaken to discover some area of sin or unbiblical doctrine in one of these heroes, because we know that they, as we, are sinners. With our security wholly founded on Christ, nothing can shake it.

So, dear Reader, read biographies and historical accounts of Christians known for their remarkable devotion to Christ. Read the writings of theologians and the journals of martyrs and missionaries, but remember that as remarkable as they might be, they can be nothing more than reflections of Christ Himself. Don’t be afraid to take both example and encouragement from those gone before, but keep Christ as your focus.

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Hebrews 12:2