The Faith that Pleases God

January, 2010

"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." (Heb. 10: 6)

Why is this so? Because true Biblical faith always looks away from itself and depends upon God alone.

Abraham "believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Rom. 4:3) What did Abraham believe that pleased God? He believed that what God had promised He would perform. He was not dependent upon what he himself could do, but rather trusting in what God said that HE would do. "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being FULLY PERSUADED that what He had promised, He was able also to perform." (Rom. 4:20-21)

The faith that saves the soul is grounded upon God's provision in Christ. It is the gift of God (Eph. 2) and a fruit of His Spirit (Gal. 5). Birthed in God, it comes forth through the lives of those who are born of Him, and ever seeks to return to Him again. Therefore, true saving faith is not an end in itself. We do not have faith in our faith. Those who live by faith are always reaching away from self to Christ because He alone is the Object of God's favor and the Source of His satisfaction. Are you FULLY PERSUADED of this?

What we believe about what God says He has accomplished in His Son will shape our lives and our destiny. God says that He is satisfied with the work of His Beloved Son. "This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 17:5) The gospel is not a message of doing, but of believing. God commands us to repent from our self-righteous efforts to earn what Christ has already purchased with own His precious blood. What an affront to God that we would turn away from His Son of Glory to proudly embrace our own weak, pathetic attempts to deserve Him.

We struggle in vain when we attempt to draw from our own resources to live the Christian life...(self-love, self-help, self-preservation, self-determination, self-esteem, etc.) This straightjacket life is one of bondage and misery, because we were not created to find satisfaction in embracing our selves and will never be satisfied with what we find "within." (contrary to what our humanistic culture preaches to us every day)

We must become partakers of The Living Bread. We must "eat of His flesh and drink of His blood." (John 6:53-56) We must find our true identity in union with Him. How? By learning to habitually draw from Him, as the Fountain of Life, and drink deeply, as if our life depended on it. Because it does. By believing that He alone has done all that is necessary for us to incur the favor of God and live joyful, victorious lives, regardless of our circumstances. Because He has.

If we really believe that Jesus Christ earned our entrance into a life that is pleasing to God, and that His sustaining power keeps us on the narrow path that leads to life, will this not incite our hearts to "diligently seek Him?" Will this not produce within a resounding "yes!" to all the promises we have been given, as a result of His perfect life?