The A-B-C’s of Faith
Hebrews eleven is the great faith chapter. It is full of people who are listed in the faith hall of fame! All of us who know Christ want to be people of faith like them. Where do we begin? The A-B-C’s of faith are found in verse 6. "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." Hebrews 11:6 NIV
First of all, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” If God is pleased when we trust Him then He is displeased when we do not trust Him. Since, “The universe was formed at His command” (Hebrews 11:3), it would be the ultimate insult to say He is untrustworthy! Faith is essential if we are to please the God who created us.
Secondly, “Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists.” The Biblical description of the faith that pleases God begins by believing that He exists. Believing God exists is to believe He is who He has revealed Himself to be. All that the Bible tells us of God we believe to be true even though His divine attributes are beyond human comprehension. My mind struggles greatly to understand the eternality of God but my faith believes it as an obvious reality. That God is eternal makes perfect sense! In the struggles of life we go back to this basic truth – God exists. We remind ourselves that He is “the God who is there!”
Thirdly, “Anyone who comes to him must believe... that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” We insult God when we doubt Him. We pay Him the highest compliment when we seek Him. When we run after this world we show that our faith is in this world’s reward. When we run after God we show that our faith is in God’s reward! Faith lays hold of what God said to Abraham, “Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1). And those who trust in God are not disappointed for they find that life’s greatest reward is God Himself!
Do you aspire to be a person of faith? Believe that God exists and believe that He will reward all who diligently seek Him. You will be tempted to run after what this world can give you but when you believe that the reward God will give you is far superior you will seek Him and you will do so diligently. “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Pastor Dan Barker