"Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back,
My soul shall have no pleasure in him."
My soul shall have no pleasure in him."
Hebrews 10:38
Two college students were talking about faith. One student said, "I really can't believe like you Christians. I don't want to offend you, but I think so-called faith is based on fantasy and fiction. It's really just wishful thinking. I only believe in what I can see and prove by science." The Christian student asked him, "Do you believe in love?" The other student replied, "Well, sure I do. What does that have to do with it?" The Christian said, "You can't see love. Science can't prove love. God is love, and He loves you, even if you don't have faith in Him."
Faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is an abiding gift of the Spirit of God (1 Cor.13:13). It is a gift to be received from God the Father, through the work of God the Holy Spirit, in our hearts. It is a faith anchored to the good news of God the Son, who died for our sins and was raised from the dead. It is more than mental assent or human effort to have faith in God. It is a result of the Spirit of God bringing us to a point of confidence, assurance and trust in the living God. It is a faith that the world didn't give us, and the world can't take it away.
The only way that man can ever please God is by faith. "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" (Hebrews 11:6). Those who have faith in God and His Son are assured that God is "working in you what is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:21). No wonder living by faith pleases God, because He is the one who works faith in our lives. It is by grace that we are enabled to live by faith.
Prayer: Father, work in us that which is pleasing in Your sight, according to the everlasting covenant, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
