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Gotta' Have Faith
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"Pleasing God, the Rewarder"
PLEASING GOD
There is another verse in this chapter of Hebrews (which has as its theme “faith”) which is not so much a definition of faith but certainly a clarification of the meaning of faith (Hebrews 11:6, NIV), “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
The first part of this verse can boast of a “wow” factor of ten out of ten! If there is any question about the importance of faith in our relationship with God, this verse should answer it decisively. Without faith it is impossible to please God. It’s as simple as that.
I don’t know about you, but I must always pursue a verse or passage to its logical, final conclusion. So I would ask, “Why is it impossible to please God without faith?” This answer is likewise rather simple. We have already concluded how faith can be described as an unwavering trust and confidence in God (His attributes; who He is) and His promises (found in the Scriptures and His individual guidance for our lives).
You see, faith and love are connected. If we truly love someone and know him/her to be honest and dependable, then we will place our trust in them. It’s all about relationship. So if we do not “believe” that God is a good God, loves us dearly, died for us, and wants the best for us, then is there any doubt that God (or anyone else for that matter) would not be pleased? Faith proves our wholehearted confidence in and love for God. This pleases God.
REWARDER
I find the second part of this verse to be thoroughly intriguing, “anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” This verse would be the key verse for the course “Foundational Faith 101.” Anyone who ever prays or contemplates God and the supernatural realm or cries out to Him for help or attends church or asks for prayer or reads the Scriptures or worships in any way or reads about God and faith must believe that, at the very minimum, He does exist. Otherwise our actions would be categorized as sheer lunacy.
In addition, if we do any of the aforementioned we must not only believe that He exists but that He can hear us, is capable of delivering us or strengthening us (extending some type of assistance), and is willing to help us. Simply put, we must believe that sincerely seeking God will result in good things for us. This is faith in its most basic form.
To be perfectly honest, many do not truly believe this. If they did, then people would pray throughout the day every day. They would seldom miss a worship service because they know that God could completely change their lives in an instant. They would know that the smallest reward from God is far greater than the best the world has to offer. They would look with anticipation to a Bible or Book Study in order to discover these precious Kingdom promises and the rewards freely offered to us. They would count it a privilege to serve in Christ’s church.
PLEASING GOD
There is another verse in this chapter of Hebrews (which has as its theme “faith”) which is not so much a definition of faith but certainly a clarification of the meaning of faith (Hebrews 11:6, NIV), “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
The first part of this verse can boast of a “wow” factor of ten out of ten! If there is any question about the importance of faith in our relationship with God, this verse should answer it decisively. Without faith it is impossible to please God. It’s as simple as that.
I don’t know about you, but I must always pursue a verse or passage to its logical, final conclusion. So I would ask, “Why is it impossible to please God without faith?” This answer is likewise rather simple. We have already concluded how faith can be described as an unwavering trust and confidence in God (His attributes; who He is) and His promises (found in the Scriptures and His individual guidance for our lives).
You see, faith and love are connected. If we truly love someone and know him/her to be honest and dependable, then we will place our trust in them. It’s all about relationship. So if we do not “believe” that God is a good God, loves us dearly, died for us, and wants the best for us, then is there any doubt that God (or anyone else for that matter) would not be pleased? Faith proves our wholehearted confidence in and love for God. This pleases God.
REWARDER
I find the second part of this verse to be thoroughly intriguing, “anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” This verse would be the key verse for the course “Foundational Faith 101.” Anyone who ever prays or contemplates God and the supernatural realm or cries out to Him for help or attends church or asks for prayer or reads the Scriptures or worships in any way or reads about God and faith must believe that, at the very minimum, He does exist. Otherwise our actions would be categorized as sheer lunacy.
In addition, if we do any of the aforementioned we must not only believe that He exists but that He can hear us, is capable of delivering us or strengthening us (extending some type of assistance), and is willing to help us. Simply put, we must believe that sincerely seeking God will result in good things for us. This is faith in its most basic form.
To be perfectly honest, many do not truly believe this. If they did, then people would pray throughout the day every day. They would seldom miss a worship service because they know that God could completely change their lives in an instant. They would know that the smallest reward from God is far greater than the best the world has to offer. They would look with anticipation to a Bible or Book Study in order to discover these precious Kingdom promises and the rewards freely offered to us. They would count it a privilege to serve in Christ’s church.
