By Jeff Arnette
One of the key teachings of the Bible is
that faith is essential to pleasing God. In Hebrews 11:6, we read: “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.” This
verse shows us two important aspects of faith: belief and action.
Belief means trusting that God is who he
says he is and that he will do what he promises. It is not enough to have a
vague or general idea of God; we need to know him personally and intimately
through his word and his Spirit. We need to believe that he is the creator, the
sustainer, the redeemer, and the judge of all things. We need to believe that
he loves us, cares for us, and has a plan for us. As Romans 10:9 says: “If you
declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised
him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Action means living in obedience and
submission to God’s will and commands. It is not enough to have a mental assent
to God’s existence; we need to demonstrate our faith by our deeds. We need to
seek him earnestly, meaning with sincerity, diligence, and perseverance. We
need to follow his guidance, obey his instructions, and fulfill his purposes.
We need to worship him, serve him, and honor him. As James 2:17 says: “In the
same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Faith is essential to pleasing God because
it shows that we love him, trust him, and depend on him. Faith is the
foundation of our relationship with God and the source of our spiritual growth
and fruitfulness. Faith is not something we have once and for all; it is
something we need to cultivate and nurture every day. Faith is the key to
unlocking God’s blessings and promises in our lives. As Hebrews 11:1 says: “Now
faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not
see.”
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