Hebrews 11:6, 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. (NIV)

Hebrews 11 is the chapter in the Bible all about faith. I know a lot of you may already know the definition of faith, but let me give you a brief refresher, and for those who don’t know the definition, here it is:

Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Or another way to understand faith is by this quote I found, “Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.” – Voltaire

I love this quote because we often talk about faith like it’s a simple thing. As Christians we often encourage others who are in a difficult situation with the words, “Keep the faith”, but how many of us can agree that it takes REAL effort to “keep the faith”.  When reality is going opposite of what you’re hoping for, it’s discouraging. As much as having faith isn’t simple, we must exercise it in order to please God. 

We are going to look at three different areas in this series of devotions where faith is necessary to please God and why.

1. Faith in Jesus Christ, leads to reconciliation with God

Hebrews 11 is specifically speaking of OT servants because during that time they were declared righteous if they believed in God (Genesis 15:6). To apply this text to us in modern day, post Jesus Christ, we can only be pleasing to God when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Today many unbelievers say they believe in God, but haven’t accepted Jesus Christ, so they are not pleasing to God, James 2:19 says, even demons believe in God. In John 14:6 we learn that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We can only gain access to the Father through His Son, and before we come to receive Him, we are displeasing to God. 

How did we become displeasing to God? Since the time of Adam and Eve because of the first man’s sin (Romans 5:12). In order to restore Adam and Eve’s relationship with God, He made provision then by sacrificing an animal and we can come to that conclusion when we read Genesis 3:21, where God put animal skins on Adam and Eve. Today, our relationship with God begins at the moment we believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnate Son of God and fully God, then you are in His will and you are pleasing to God. (Romans 5:6-11).

This is the first step in pleasing God because we have followed His will, believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord (It is God’s will for all to be saved: 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Without faith in Jesus Christ, we can’t have a relationship with God or be with Him in Heaven.

Would you like to meet God in Heaven one day? If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is a great day to do so. I promise, you won’t regret it. Say this prayer:

Dear God, I recognize I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son and receive Him into my life. Thank You for the gift of eternal life and grow me into the person You want me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

If you prayed that prayer, welcome into the Kingdom of God! Find a Bible based church where you will be discipled to follow Christ according to the Word of God. God bless you!