"SHARING HOPE THROUGH ABOUT WHAT IS PLEASING TO GOD"
Hebrews 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.”
Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible.
Some background, application, questions and a prayer:
The entire book of Hebrews was written to show the superiority of Jesus Christ above all that the Jews held sacred.
Moses, Angels, the Levitical Priesthood, etc. The new covenant versus the old covenant.
Jesus is above all of these and is actually the fulfillment of all the these things we’re shadows of.
The verse we are looking at today tells us very plainly how to please God, and there is something else in it as well, it's a great blessing.
1. God can be pleased.
Hebrews 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.”
The author was trying to point out that we can please God, but not in the way his readers thought.
Those readers like many down through the ages, and even today, were under the impression that we had to earn God's pleasure by our good works.
This, of course, is not true, as the verse states.
But, what a thrill to know that we can please God.
Imagine that for a moment, God can be pleased with you.
Do you believe it?
2. To please God we must come to Him by faith.
Hebrews 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.”
Here's how we please Him.
And, it's impossible to please Him unless we do it this way.
That way is to come to Him by faith, or trust.
If we do come to Him with faith or trust He is pleased.
We must come to Him this way for Him to be pleased.
God has given you the faith to do that.
And, God gives you a stronger and growing faith through His Word.
Staying in the Word regularly helps us to have faith, and thus we can please God.
It's just simply impossible to please Him any other way, just as the verse states so clearly.
3. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 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.”
Now here is one other blessing.
It's at the end of the verse.
Not only do we come to Him by faith, believing that He is, but that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
What does it mean to diligently seek Him?
It means to be sincere and genuine in our coming to Him.
You can do this, and so can I.
God has equipped us to be this way.
And, what rewards God gives us.
Praise the Lord.
Some Questions:
1. Are you familiar with this verse, and it's contents?
2. Isn't it a relief to know what it says and means?
3. Can you imagine, for just a moment, God being pleased with you as you sincerely seek Him?
4. And, can you see that God wants to reward you also?
5. Would you take a moment to come to God right now by faith and just praise Him, and thank Him for who He is and what He has done for you, and what He will do for you?
A Prayer:
O Lord, our God and Father. Thank You for making access to You so simple. You have established the way for us to come to You.
And, You reward us also. Our relationship with You is not predicated on what we do, but rather on what You have done in Jesus Christ for us. His death for our sins, His being buried and then His rising from the dead, and our receiving Him have changed our lives for all eternity.
We have no words to express our appreciation for what You have done.
But, Lord, may we grow in our coming to You, and may we grow in our own personal walk in the Word, Prayer, Church Attendance, Service to You, and being a witness of Jesus to people all through the day.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
