Friday, October 5, 2012

How Can I Please God? Hebrews 11:6

We want to please God, but do we know how?

We ask just what does God want from us? Is there any way to know what pleases him and wins his approval? Are the answers hidden in cosmic mystery or is it so obvious we miss it?

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6, NIV*.

These words were written in the New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews, and are a key to understanding the Bible.

PERSONAL FAITH

Faith is very personal and each person must come to their own terms with it no matter what religion or creed you practice, it is not something you inherit from your parents or are taught it in school. God requires faith not because he is vain, vague, or hidden but because his purpose is for a relationship with us.  Relationships require faith and trust, not rules and regulations. Without faith, there is no relationship with God.

Because: without faith...
     * God is only a judge to be feared
     * An arbitrary Father figure
     * Or a cosmic force
     * A vague mystery
     * A stranger.

FAITH GROWS
Faith need not be the great measure: Jesus endorsed even the smallest faith as being sufficient. If one feels their faith is weak or lacking they may consider the following suggestions.

     * We must pray and ask God to help our faith.
     * We must seek out the companionship of those who live lives focused on faith
     * We must seek God in his revelation of the Word the Bible and creation.
     * We must confess our lack of or weak faith.

THE EARNEST SEEKER

God promises to reward our faith, not just the faith that says there is a God who created the universe but the faith that believes that God wants to be known and found by the creatures he made. We must seek God; the Bible tells of Adam who sinned and hid from God but we must each correct that error and look for God. God promises to be found by us when we seek him earnestly, to be earnest is to be sincere, passionate, devoted to a cause, and it is to be personally persuaded even consumed by a pursuit.

If it is impossible to please God without faith then the other side of the coin must be that by faith we may please The Almighty. Faith says I will believe the promises of what you said without wavering, doubting or compromise.

To learn more about how to have a personal relationship with God follow this link: Click Here.

To read this verse in other translations follow this link: Online Parallel Bible.

© Adron 10/5/12