Faith. We are taking a stroll through the Hall of Faith to see God’s faithful believers.
Yesterday, Hebrews 11:1 taught us the definition of faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Next God shows us examples of His faithful believers. (According to the Oxford Dictionary, faithful means: steadfast in affection or allegiance.)
“4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Look at these first two examples:
- Abel obeyed in his sacrifice. His witness was that he was righteous. God Himself testified of Abel’s gifts. Wait, what? Yes, God Himself gave testimony to Abel’s offering. Woah. Abel’s testimony still goes on today.
- Enoch pleased God. Enoch never went through death. He simply was translated to Heaven. Why? His testimony was that he pleased God.
Do you notice that while they both were faithful, they both had very different outcomes? Abel was murdered. Enoch was translated to Heaven. Our faithfulness does not mean that life will be easy. It does mean that we please God.
Verse 6 tells us that faith is required to please God. Those who come to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Faith requires coming to God and believing Him.
This reminds me of two Christmas carols that talk of the faithful and unfaithful coming to God. We looked at them in this December post.
May we be His faithful servants come what may!
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