Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
This is a verse that we often hear quoted. And we may even quote it ourselves from time to time.
But do we ever earnestly ponder on what it really means?
Do we understand the seriousness of this verse?
Let’s break it down so we get a better understanding of it.
In the very first line, we are told that without faith it is impossible to please God.
That’s a big deal!
Impossible: incapable of happening or occurring.
That might seem scary for some, since we might wrestle or struggle with doubt or unbelief from time to time.
But occasional or momentary unbelief will not condemn us if we work through it. We need to sort it out within ourselves and sincerely seek God, asking Him to help us in our unbelief.
Look at this example from the gospel of Mark.
Mark 9:24 (NKJV) 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
The father of a demon-possessed child had come to Jesus to seek help for his son. And as Jesus told him that he only needed to believe, the father confessed both, his belief and the fact that he struggled with unbelief.
Jesus saw his struggle and recognized his faith for what it was, and then healed his child of the demon who had tormented him from childhood.
This man had faith that Jesus could help. He sought Him out and requested His help.
That seeking showed his faith, despite his struggles to believe without wavering.
Even if we wrestle from time to time with believing, we are not cast away by God.
It is, however, impossible for one to please Him if they claim to believe, but they belligerently build a life based on a lack of faith and persistent unbelief.
For that person, it is impossible for them to please God. And that man should never think they will receive anything from God.
James 1:7-8 (NKJV) 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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