Faith Acts

“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” (Heb. 11:6).

Pleasing faith expresses itself in action.

 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance.  And he went out, no knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:8). Abraham obeyed; Abraham went.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Heb. 11:7).  Noah prepared an ark.

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days” (Heb. 11:30).  They encircled the walls.

“By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned” (Heb. 11:29).  They passed through.

In Numbers 21:6-9 (c.f. John 3:14), the children of Israel were healed of the bites of the fiery serpents when they looked on the bronze serpent lifted up on a pole.  They looked.  Their looking, of course, was predicated upon their belief.

In each of these cases, pleasing faith acted, not according to human reasoning, but in response to and according to divine command.

Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).  Is it faith, or is it unbelief, when a person will not act – be baptized – according to Jesus’ command?  It is unbelief, and Jesus says he stands condemned.  If a person does not have enough faith to be baptized, then he does not have enough faith to be saved.

What does faith that pleases God do?  The answer is evident.  Pleasing faith responds in obedience to divine command, not only apart from human wisdom but even contrary to it.

               -Larry Jones