…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.
Hebrews 11.6
The writer/speaker to the Hebrews didn’t say that it is difficult to please God without faith.
He didn’t say something like ‘You will need to work really hard…‘ to please God.
He said that it is impossible.
“…without faith it is impossible to please him…“
Is your aim to please God?
Is the master passion of your life to live the best life you can according to what God says life should be, or is the master passion of your life living your best life now according to what you think life should be?
We also read
“…he rewards those who seek him.“
It doesn’t say that God rewards those who are sincere in all they do.
It doesn’t say that God rewards those who try to be moral…principled…’good’…simply come to church and agree…
“…he rewards those who seek him.“
Are you seeking Him in all you do?
But How do we seek Him?
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
John 14.1-7
How do we please God? In faith.
How do we seek God? In faith.
It is faith that pleases Him.
It is those who seek Him through faith in Jesus He rewards.
Relationship with God is only possible when the barrier of our sin has been removed by trusting in Jesus, putting our faith into action.
Jesus died on that cross to take our punishment, to pay our debt, to give His sinless life as a worthy sacrifice, and for the one who believes, to allow us to live in His presence for eternity.
That is why faith.
James Travis 