Without Faith


When I look around me, I see the evidence of God.  I see all that He has made and how wonderful it is.  I see the beauty of flowers, trees and animals.  The plants use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.  Animals breathe in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide.  I see the seasons that allow plants to grow, produce fruit, die and grow again.  I see the rain that brings water and that comes in its season each year.  I see all plants and animals producing after their kind.  I see how a person is wonderfully made; all the parts of a body work together so that he can function.  I understand that there are billions of cells in a human body.  Each cell is a wonderful factory that performs its purpose.  Each cell reproduces itself in a complex, marvelous manner.  God gave life to all the living plants and animals.  There is complex design in all that He has made.  It didn’t just evolve over billions of years.  Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” 

The writer of Hebrews wrote in 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.”  Coming to God implies that one draws near and worships God.  But one cannot possibly come to God without first believing that He is.  Many today do not come to God because they do not believe in Him.  Romans 1:18-20 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”  

While there are many who do not believe in God, there are also many who do believe that He is, but they still do not come to God.  Perhaps they do not want to come to God because they desire to practice sinful ways.  John 3:19-20 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” 

Perhaps many do not come to God because they do not know that God has revealed Himself and His will for mankind through the Bible, the word of God.  Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  One cannot come to God, unless he believes that He is what He has revealed Himself to be in the Scripture.  John 1:18 “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”  God’s son came to this earth and revealed the Father and His will to us.

In order to come to God, one must not only believe that He is, but also that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  One must realize that coming to God has great rewards or benefits. One of the first benefits is avoiding God’s wrath.  Jesus will come back to this earth “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8)  When one comes in faith to God through Jesus Christ, he is saved from God’s wrath.  Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” The one who is justified before God by faith has peace with God and has the hope of glory.  Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” A believer can come to God in prayer to obtain mercy and grace in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  His grace includes divine assistance, strength, leading, protection, and rewards in heaven.  There are many great benefits for coming to God.

But God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  One must diligently seek God.  Consider what King David told his son Solomon.  1 Chronicles 28:9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”  There is no promise of rewards for those who half-heartedly seek Him. One must diligently seek Him.  Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

How can you diligently seek Him?  James 4:8-10 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  Cleanse your hands from all sin.  Purify your heart.  Have Godly sorrow and repentance for your sins.  Humble yourself before God.  Study and meditate on His word.  Spend time in Prayer.  Be zealous for good works.  I encourage you to believe that He is and that He will reward you if you diligently seek Him.


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