Faith Pleases God

The verse also says “he that cometh to God.” Think about the word “cometh” as a purpose decision to do something. You have made a purposeful decision to do what you need to do to come to God with faith. A Christian life is one that is purposeful. You want to help God achieve his goals in this world. Little ole’ Barry! Little ole’ Neil.

You also “must believe.” And the way the tense reads in the Greek it’s saying “once and for all.” When you get to the place you believe this book (held up the Bible) and there is no grey for you, no question marks, that is what this is talking about.

The phrase “diligently seek” means you’ve made a decision AND you have taken action to accomplish that decision. Now turn to Proverbs 8 and we’re going to read verse 17. Remember we’re talking about pleasing God. “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” He’s not talking simply about morning people! The bigger picture: when you’re facing something, God is your first call. It’s not the call you make after you’ve done everything you can do. You seek Him first.

The word “is” is used twice in this verse. In the Greek, the first “is” is different from the second “is.” Most bibles render the first “is” as “exists.” So the person who comes to God must first believe that He exists. The person who comes to God must first believe that He is real!

When I come to God, now bear with me, I must treat Him like He’s Alain. What do I mean by that? I can see Alain. I know Alain is real. I have no doubts about that. That is how we are supposed to approach God.

The second “is” communicates something that is so very important. It’s not enough to believe that God exists. It’s not even enough to believe God is real. We must also believe that God – and I want you hear the words that I chose – that God habitually proves to be and literally becomes our rewarder. In other words, God has history and in that history He has proven Himself to be true to His Word every single time.

Why the word “become”? God cannot do something until all of the requirements are met. What is the requirement needed for God “to become a rewarder?” Faith.

What is the reward? The best reward of seeking is to find the things that you are looking for. Genesis 15:1 – “After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

Who was the reward ladies and gentlemen? God! God was the reward! Who is the reward here in Hebrews 11? God is the reward! God gives Himself! That’s why this is so very important. God says that when you come to Me in faith, you get Me! The best reward that God, the Rewarder, gives is Himself!

This is a no-brained for most people. What is the one thing that children want from their parents? Their parents! No one else will do.

What have we seen in this verse so far? “Apart from faith there is no other way to please God: for he that makes a purposeful decision to draw near to God can have absolutely no doubts that He exists and that He is real and can have absolutely no doubts that He habitually proves to be the One who keeps His Word and becomes the Rewarder to those who will turn over every stone, if necessary, to find him.”