"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."
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith, it is impossible to please him:”
God’s Word has declared, “the just shall live by faith!” This is God’s expectation for His child. We are to be men and women of faith, who are living by faith, obedient to our Lord. “But without faith…” we cannot please Him, it is hopeless. It cannot be done! How can we please Him if we are not trusting Him for our daily needs? It’s impossible!
The Greek word for “impossible” in our verse is the same word used in these verses.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost” (Hebrews 6:4).
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).
Just as it is impossible for a genuine believer to “lose his salvation,” or even to lose it and get it back again; God can’t lie to us, so too, we can’t please our God if we do not live by faith!
Paul said something similar in Romans, about those who are carnally minded.
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8).
“For he that cometh to God must believe that he is,”
The one who is coming to God is the worshipper. He must seek God by faith.
“The very existence of God is a matter of intelligent faith… So that men are left without excuse” [1] (Robertson).
God demonstrates His existence to mankind daily!
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-29).
We are willing to suffer for the living God because we trust in Him.
“For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).
1. God is! He exists just as the Bible teaches us.
“And that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
We do not serve Him as the mercenary does for his reward. But we understand that the Lord will reward His servants.
Moses had it right,
“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Hebrews 11:26).
The most fabulous riches in Egypt could not come close to the reward found in bearing the reproach for Christ.
Abraham believed God when He told him, “I am thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1).
Could it be that having Jesus Christ is our greatest reward?
2. He is a rewarder! He is gracious and kind, and your faithful service will not go unrewarded.
[1] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.