And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
One of the most helpful things I learned about faith is that faith is active. It is not just a noun that is a thing that you possess. It has a verbal aspect to it. That means that faith involves action. That is why, when I see a chair that looks unsteady, I do not sit in it. I do not have faith in that chair; therefore, I do not perform the action of sitting in it. However, if it looks steady and reliable, I gladly take a seat. Why? I take a seat because I trust that chair that looks steady and reliable. Similarly, but on a grander scale, faith in Christ involves action. It involves trusting God and acting on that trust. When good times come, when difficult times arise, part of being people of character means showing our children what it looks like to have unshakable faith in the Lord.
“It is impossible to please God without faith,” the author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 11:6. I’m not sure there is a clearer way to teach us what is pleasing to God, and that is faith. If you want to please God, and I have a feeling that you do, then you can please Him by your faith. You can prove it by your trust in Him even in the most difficult time, even during health complications, a pandemic, job losses, relationship struggles, etc.
Not only does faith please God, but it also speaks to our character. Verse 2 of Hebrews 11 says, “Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.” Then, throughout the rest of the chapter, we read about notable people of faith, all who were known for their character and their unwavering trust in God.
People, especially the children in your life, are paying attention to your faith. They are looking to see your faith in God, through good times and bad times. They are watching you. What will be the character of your life? I urge you to cling to God and trust Him every step you take.
Evaluate your faith today. If you were to overhear those who know you best, especially your children if you are a parent, talk about your faith, what would they say? Would they claim that you are a person with unshakable faith, or would they describe you as someone always questioning and doubting God and His work in your life? Are you teaching your children and those who are like children to you to hold tightly to faith as well? It is time for us to hold on to faith and trust God with white-knuckle intensity and teach our children to do the same.
Read Hebrews 11:1-6 (NLT)
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
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