THE NATURE OF FAITH THAT PLEASES THE LORD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 30, 2024.

SUBJECT : THE NATURE OF FAITH THAT PLEASES THE LORD!

Memory verse: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11 vs 6.)

READ: 11 vs 1 - 8:

11:1 : Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

11:2: For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

11:3: By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

11:4: By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and through it he being dead speaks.

11:5: By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death; and was not found, because God had taken him: for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

11:7: By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

11:8: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

INTIMATION:

The nature of faith that is pleasing to the Lord is the faith that moves the one who possesses it into action and confidence in the promises of God. It is a faith that does not give up hope in what God has promised as a reward for the believer. It is not a simple confession with one’s mouth that he believes in God. It is a life commitment to the work of God who is working to bring about the final end and purpose of all things. 

Such faith is “real faith” that combines assurance and anticipation! Real faith is belief, trust, hope, dependence, reliance and obedience in God and His word and that faith comes from God and His word. Faith is the confidence based on past experience that God’s new and fresh surprises will surely be ours. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character: He is who He says. The end point is believing in God’s promises: He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true or real faith. 

The faith that pleases God, therefore, gives substance to their hope. Faith that is based on evidence in one’s personal confidence that those things for which he hopes are real. It is confidence that God will bring about His promises because He has made them on the basis of His existence and His oath (Hebrews 6 vs 18 - 19). 

It is noteworthy that Biblical faith is based on evidence. The apostle John recorded the evidence of the miraculous works of Jesus in order that men believe (John 20 vs 30 - 31). God has never expected men to believe without evidence, hence in the 1st century, therefore, He confirmed His messengers and message by miraculous manifestations (Mark 16 vs 17 - 29). Belief without evidence is only superstition. 

The faith of the Christian, however, is not superstition. The Christian’s faith today is based on the record of the testimony of those who actually experienced the confirming work of God. Christians have hope on those things that they have not experienced because God has given miraculous evidence to the truth of the message they believe. Therefore, Christians work by faith (Second Corinthians 5 vs 7). They grow in faith in the promises of God as they study the testimony of those who personally experienced the confirming miracles that are recorded in the Bible.

In the passage we read today, the Bible introduces us to some of the witnesses of the patriarchs of old who gave their testimony to the work and faithfulness of God. The faith that we see in the illustration herein, describe that faith that is well pleasing to God. They personally experienced the work of God in their lives, and thus, their lives are here recorded in order to give us further evidence upon which to base our faith. It is a faith that is obedient to the will of God. 

Every example of faith that is given in Hebrew chapter 11 is a faith that motivated the individual who possessed it into an active response to God. For instance, Abel was obedient to offer a blood sacrifice that was according to the commandment of God (Genesis 4 vs 4 - 5). He was thus judged righteous because of his faith that was manifested through his obedience to the Will of God. Abel is now dead, however, the account of his active faith still teaches a lesson on true obedience of faith. The testimony of his life and the example of the faithful who are listed in this chapter teach many lessons on obedient faith.

Noah experienced rejection because he was different from his neighbors. God commanded him to build a huge boat in the middle of a dry land, and although God’s command seemed foolish, Noah obeyed. Noah’s obedience made him appear strange to his neighbors. As you obey God, don’t be surprised if others regard you as “different.” 

Abraham’s life was filled with faith. At God’s command, he left home and went to another land, obeying without question. He believed the covenant God made with him. In obedience to God, Abraham was even willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. 

Let us, therefore, covet the faith that will make us well pleasing to God. The apostle Paul states thus; “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (Second Corinthians 5 vs 9 - 10.)

When one realizes that he will give account of his actions before his Creator, then he is motivated to do the will of the Creator. We do not presume that judgement will be on the basis of meritorious works. Good works are the result of one’s response to the grace of God. Our only means by which we can know if one has a heart of thanksgiving is by his works. 

While eternal life is a free gift given on the basis of God’s grace (Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 9), each of us will still be judged by Christ. He will reward us for how we have lived. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience. All Christians must give account on the day of judgement of how they have lived; how they have used the gifts of God to serve His purposes here on earth.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You immensely for Your gift of faith. I most sincerely wish to covet the faith pleasing to You, that I may please You in my good works, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!