Because faith is the means by which we approach God and place our confidence in Him for our salvation, it is impossible to win God’s approval without faith. Because of God’s unfathomable generosity, He makes it possible for us to get closer to Him by providing the very thing we need to do so: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Faith is not something we earn; it is a gift from God. The faith that is necessary to please God is given to us by God.
Hebrews 11:1 provides a definition, or at the very least, a good description, of the faith pleasing to God: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The Greek term translated into English as “substance” means “foundation.” Hope is built on a foundation of faith, and faith is the foundation. It is not a groping in the dark but rather an unshakeable certainty that comes from personally experiencing the love of God and the reliability of His Word. It should be noted that the Word that is translated as “assurance” is also translated as “evidence” and “proof.” Although we cannot perceive the realities of God’s kingdom with our natural sight, faith enables us to receive evidence or proof that these realities do exist.
We have demonstrated that it is not possible to approach God if one does not have faith. Without faith, it is also impossible to live for God, which is to follow and serve Him on a daily basis and to continue until the end. Faith is essential to every aspect of the Christian life: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith'” (Romans 1:16). Paul, an apostle, is quoted as saying, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live; however, Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20 says, “The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
The Bible makes it clear that God admired Enoch’s faith and that it was the reason he was spared from death and sent to heaven: “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—’ he disappeared because God took him.'” Because before he was taken up, he was recognized as a person who pleased God (Hebrews 11:5, New Living Translation; see Genesis 5:24). How was it that Enoch was acceptable to God? by basing one’s life on one’s beliefs? Enoch walked with confidence in God. He was obedient to the Word that had been revealed up to that point, and he lived his life in accordance with the truth that it contained. To walk by faith means to live in such a way that it is in accordance with the Word of God (John 14:15). It is difficult to believe the Word of God and to obey it if one does not have faith.
It is impossible to please God through the acts of the body, according to the Bible: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). There is no way for us to merit God’s favor by the deeds we perform. It is only through the work that Jesus Christ did for us that it is possible for us to become holy and to live a life that is acceptable to God (1 Corinthians 1:30). The presence of Christ in our lives brings about the kind of righteous living that is acceptable to God.
Without faith, it is impossible (not possible in any way)to please God; in fact, we cannot even begin to approach the Lord and establish a personal relationship with Him without it. Please note that this is not the same as saying that it is impossible to please God. Their faith characterizes the milieu in which a believer lives their life. We are referred to as “believers” due to the fact that we consistently place our faith, trust, and confidence in God. The Christian life starts with faith, and it is with faith that it continues all the way to the end.
To be continued.