Have you ever heard anyone call Hebrews 11 “The Hall of Faith”? If not, consider this, why would it be called that? Because every few verses say “By faith…” But today, the verse that we absolutely have to study is just one, verse 6.
Here it is in the NIV.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Faith = Belief. You cannot come to God if you don’t believe that he exists. And if you have faith enough that He exists, you must have enough faith to know that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Anyone can come. Anyone can believe. It amazes me that there are those who don’t. There are those who refuse. They’re missing out on so much. Yet this verse makes it completely clear… You cannot come to God if you don’t believe that He exists. …
But that’s enough of dwelling on the unbelievers so prevalent among us. We’re here to grow our own faith. And to celebrate that we have faith. We have faith enough… it only has to be enough to believe that He exists and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
And seeking Him, brings Him so much pleasure.
And the pleasure of God is rewarded. It’s a specific focus in Ephesians 1. Here are some of the wonderful gifts bestowed by God’s pleasure: Ephesians 1:3-10
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Believe, He does exist, He more than exists, He’s right here with you right this second. Earnestly seek Him. The rewards for faith, also called Grace or Blessings or Benefits, are all ours in Christ. This day, the one where all things in heaven and on earth will be unified, that’s what His return will bring. Come, Lord Jesus.