Faith that Pleases God

​Hebrews 11:6 ~ “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
 
Is it your intention to please the LORD? Much of the modern mentality of the human condition is set for the purpose of discovering that which is pleasing to self. Very few, even of those who are born again, have it in their heart to live in such a way that they intentionally desire to please God. Paul gave a gentle admonition to the church as we read in Philippians 2:21, “For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Our text today derives its instruction from the life of Enoch. Hebrews 11:5 testifies, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.” What was it that Enoch did that pleased the LORD. Simple: he walked with God by faith (see Genesis 5:21-24). This ought to be the longing for every Christian. Ephesians 5:10 entreats, “and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Take a moment today and read through Hebrews, chapter eleven and discover the great roll-call of those who walked by faith.
 
As we look at our text, with the opening question upon our minds, we read, “And without faith it is impossible to please him.” So, beloved, if it is your intention to please the LORD then it will require you to walk through life by faith in Christ. Why? Because it is impossible to please the LORD otherwise. The LORD created us and we are made to always look to Him. He has given us His word that we should know Him and trust Him in all aspects of our lives. It begins with trusting the LORD for salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:21 declares, “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” Even as we have received Him by faith, we are called to walk with the LORD by faith. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” These give us a great view of what it takes to live a life pleasing to the LORD.
 
As we continue our text today, we read, “for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists.” How much more basic can this become for those who want to have a faith that pleases God? We are called to draw near to Him, to walk with Him in close proximity and find our lives filled up with His. But it begins with the rudimentary reality that God actually exists! In truth, you nor I would seek to find anything that we didn’t think actually existed. Imagine for a moment being told that there is a great treasure to be found, but it is at the end of a rainbow. Knowing the fallacy of that ancient legend, you would never go chasing the ends of rainbows. You can only draw near to that which is real—that which actually exists. James 4:8 instructs us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” This faith that pleases God is a faith that desires Him, seeks Him and believes in Him.
 
And this brings us to our closing view of the text today, “and that he rewards those who seek him.” Cast off the notion of riches and treasures of this earth, for God does not reward with such trivialities or with trinkets that will not last. The rewards of the LORD are the riches of eternal life and the glory shared from His throne upon all who come to Him. His reward is righteousness forever and everlasting joy. The LORD Jesus declares in Revelation 22:12, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” Those who draw near to the LORD, believing on Him for salvation, will receive exactly what they long for—mercy, grace and the crown of life. Paul told us in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Our life in this world is a testimony of our faith in the LORD. We walk by faith, seeking to please the LORD, even as Enoch did.
 
Though we might not depart like Enoch, we will someday receive the promised reward—deliverance from sin and a full inheritance with Christ Jesus. Let us then make it our intention to please Him, walking by faith in the LORD Jesus.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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