What is a hero of faith?

Heroes of faith are men and women who have gone beyond maturity and have learned to fight the good fight (Isa 53:12; Hebrews 11). They have advanced beyond simply taking responsibility for their own lives to becoming responsible for the lives of other people, always remaining ready to encourage, supply the needs of, and pick up fallen comrades. While they still make mistakes and fail, they always stand back up and return to the battle. This status is illustrated by yachal, the healing faith of Job 13:15.

These believers live by the law of supreme sacrifice, which best illustrates the passion of the love of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 8:9). To live under this law means being willing to become selfless, admitting that they are not the center of the universe, and considering the plan of God, the weak believer, and the unbeliever as more important than themselves. This mirrors Christ, who considered others more important than Himself and humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (Phil. 2:3–8).

Believers also become heroes of faith when they enter the area of sharing the sufferings of Jesus Christ. This involves moving into an effective ministry of evangelizing the lost and edifying believers through Bible teaching and encouragement, even while regularly receiving attack and opposition from Satan.