“Now FAITH IS confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was TAKEN FROM THIS LIFE, so that HE DID NOT EXPERIENCE DEATH: “He could not be found, because GOD HAD TAKEN HIM AWAY.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who PLEASED GOD. 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.” (Hebrews 11:1-6)
This verse, from Hebrews 11:6, essentially states that before Enoch was taken from this life, he was recognized as someone WHO PLEASED GOD, and that THE ONLY WAY TO PLEASE GOD IS THROUGH FAITH, which requires BELIEVING IN HIS EXISTENCE and that He ACTIVELY REWARDS those who SINCERELY SEEK HIM OUT. Taken all by itself, the verse presents a truth which is fairly easy to understand. Namely, that GOD’S FIRST AND FOREMOST CONCERN IS WITH OUR FAITH—our ATTITUDE TOWARDS HIM and TRUST IN HIM—rather than in our actions. This does not make our behaviors unimportant. On the contrary: WHAT WE DO REFLECTS WHAT WE TRULY BELIEVE, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, WHAT GOOD IS IT? In the same way, FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY ACTION, IS DEAD. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will SHOW YOU my faith BY MY DEEDS.” (James 2:14-18)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham