Meaning Of “Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please God”

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Published by Kenneth Garcia

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Co-Founder of Biblekeeper, Author & Theologian


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Heroes from the Old Testament of the Bible highlight the importance of faith in Hebrews 11. They fully entrusted themselves to God, surrendering to His will. This characteristic is a prominent feature of their existence. The actions and achievements of these figures prove that those who sincerely pursue God are blessed by Him, and that having faith is pleasing to Him.

We cannot grasp Christ since we cannot identify his appearance or voice. Faith expresses our feeling of safety and something essential about who we believe God is. It is about belief, trust, and loyalty.

Key Takeaways

  • Faith is crucial for pleasing God, embodying trust, loyalty, and assurance in His promises and character, as demonstrated through biblical history and figures.
  • True faith is expressed through actions that reflect God’s character and promises, such as imitating Christ, helping others, and embodying one’s beliefs in daily life.
  • Faith, provided by God, is both a gift and a necessity for salvation, essential for beginning and sustaining a relationship with God throughout one’s life.

What Does “Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please God” Mean?

Faith is assurance in the strength of God, the fulfillment of his promises, and his compassion. This can be seen in the Old Testament, on the cross, and at the Resurrection[1]. The readers’ faith is waning even though the Father has remained unchanged. While the author of Hebrews cannot see into their souls, he can assess their level of trust through the evidence.

Since faith is the means by which we approach God and place our hope in him for salvation, it is impossible to please God without faith. God gives us the faith we need to satisfy him because of his boundless generosity. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is a gift from God—not by works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). God gives us the faith we need to please Him.

Salvation comes from believing in the resurrected Christ. Our beliefs must be put into action through a pattern of imitation and inheritance. “He will not forget your effort and the love you have given him as you have assisted his people and continue to aid them” (Hebrews 6:10). The people had previously established a pattern of devoted behavior.

We observe that the strength of faith is founded on who God is and not on who we are. But the more you understand God, the more your faith will resemble his greatness. Drawing near to God is the first step in realizing that he gives great reward to those who are faithful, but faithfulness motivates us to actively and outwardly resemble the One in whom we have faith.

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How Do We Apply It To Our Lives?

We have proven that one cannot approach God without faith. Without faith, it is also difficult to live for God—to obey and serve him constantly, and to persevere until the end. Because we consistently place our faith, trust, and confidence in God, we are referred to as “believers.” The Christian life is started by faith and continues by faith until the end.

1. Ask For His Guidance

God put our love first and went after us first. However, now that we are aware of the truth, reading the Bible, praying, and improving our walk with God are no longer merely obligations; if we genuinely love him, they are a source of joy. A man will have a new life center if he is truly renewed.

2. Await God’s Reward 

That is to say, do not believe the prosperity gospel, which says, “All you need is faith, and you will have whatever you want,” omitting the parts the author of Hebrews discusses, such as stonings, stabbings, and other sorts of persecution.

Throughout history, many of Christ’s disciples have perished by being killed, starving, drowning, or freezing to death. However, they were aware that any benefits offered by men were fleeting and that their reward from Christ was permanent.

3. Faith Is A Gift From God

He did not want you to trust him or believe in his rewards before he gave you proof of his morality. Jesus gave a firsthand account of how dependable God is. Do not just profess your faith. Develop discipline. Remember that observing life’s patterns is not a one-time thing. What would it be like if God showed us such haphazard, indifferent love? We would be lost.

Why Does Faith Please God?

God is just like the rest of us when it comes to wanting to be loved and respected, which makes sense since he made us in his image. For God and his Son, Christians serve as “ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Therefore, Christians should make every effort to diligently seek and uphold their faith and defend it when necessary, courageously, and lovingly.

Christians must understand that having faith is necessary to receive many of God’s blessings and promises. In order to benefit us, God needs Christians to have faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God if, in spite of everything he has done, they continue to doubt that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

The individual will not be able to love God and serve him as they should, and God will not be able to assist and bless the person as they would like to. That does not imply that when a nonbeliever begins to seek God and his faith grows, God is not delighted. He naturally approves of that.

He Is Both Real And A Rewarder

We cannot earnestly seek Christ since we cannot identify his appearance or voice. According to the author of Hebrews, “Now faith is an assurance about what we do not see and trust in what we hope for” (Hebrews 11:1).

The Book of Hebrews presents the Old Testament “in light of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ,” demonstrating Christ’s superiority and outlining “his new covenant over angels, Moses, the priesthood, and the sacrificial system.” The two main goals of the book are “to encourage Christians to endure and to warn them not to abandon their faith in Christ.”

It is “futile” to go back to the Old Testament ways; the only way forward is through Christ. Definitions of faith sometimes refer to a belief without evidence, but the Hebrews writer points to “God’s revelation in Jesus.” God is reasonable. The Christian faith is “based on the most superior revelation.” The author almost seems to be saying, “God does not want you to believe without evidence, so all the evidence you need has been provided.”

The examples of Enoch and Abel show that faith pleases God. The faith Enoch had pleased God as he was diligently seeking him (Hebrews 11:5). Similarly, the faith Abel showed was pleasing to God when he offered a sacrifice with a sincere heart, testifying to his faith in God (Hebrews 11:4).

The examples of Enoch walking with God and Abel’s story remind us that faith, when combined with action, pleases God and invites his favor. By diligently seeking God and incorporating faith into our daily lives, we align ourselves with his will and bring him joy. Having faith in Jesus Christ and seeking God with a sincere heart pleases him, as it demonstrates our trust and reliance on God’s Word, his guidance, and his provision.

Faith is essential for a fulfilling relationship with God. It demonstrates our trust in him and allows us to experience his blessings. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. As we diligently seek him, believe in his existence and rewards, and live out our faith with sincerity, we please him and open the door to his abundant grace and favor in our lives.

a figure kneels in the dimly lit ambience of a cathedral, head bowed in supplication, hands clasped in prayer

Why Is It Impossible To Please God Without Faith?

To have faith in God is to put your complete reliance on him. The primary idea is that trust relates to someone’s character, reputation, honesty, image, and abilities. That statement makes it very clear to us why people’s lack of faith is to blame for God’s disapproval. When people are unable to put their lives in God’s hands, it is disrespectful to God’s character, the authority of God’s Word, and his integrity.

According to his established operating procedures, everything that is done for God must be done in a way that displays his dazzling greatness. This means that whatever we do for him, we must offer him our utmost best. God must be trusted entirely, without any hesitation. Additionally, we must shift our attention away from any challenges that would make it difficult for us to put our trust in him.

In order to act as God intends us to act as his children, we must overcome our human flaws, which are pulling us down like a powerful gravitational force. In essence, believing in God on the basis of who he is and what he is capable of doing regarding what he says in his Word honors God. On the other hand, because it denies God’s reliability, magnificence, and faithfulness, disbelief altogether causes disgrace to God.

We Barely Know God

We learn more about God as we read the Bible, and the more we know about him, the more we can rely on him. You will understand why you can trust God more if you read about all the instances in which he keeps his word and promises. If we do not believe in him, it would seem that we do not know him well enough to do so. A strong knowledge of God is the cure for weak faith.

We Need To Believe That God Exists

Although it is difficult to believe in a deity we cannot see with our senses, Jesus asked Thomas, who had previously rejected his death and resurrection, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Those who have not seen but have believed are blessed.”

How can anything be called faith if we can see God? While it is true that seeing is believing, true faith can also be had without seeing. If we have confidence in God, we will not only accept what we see with our eyes but also believe despite what we see with our eyes, for it is impossible to please God without faith.

Different Bible Versions Of Hebrews 11:5–6

By faith, Enoch was taken from this life so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” Before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 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.

New International Version

By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found because God had taken him. Before he was taken, he was commended for having pleased God. And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

English Standard Version

By faith, Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him; for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God; and without faith, it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those that seek after him.

American Standard Version

By faith, Enoch was translated, that he should not see death, and was not found because God had translated him; for before his translation, he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 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.

King James Version

Ways To Infuse Faith In Jesus Christ And Please God In Your Everyday Life

Incorporating faith into our daily lives is not only a fundamental aspect of Christianity but also a means to please God, as the Bible reminds us. Jesus Christ, through his teachings and example, showed us the path to please God. Here are some practical tips to help you diligently seek God and infuse your daily life with faith in a way that pleases God and embodies the essence of true faith.

  1. Cultivate a relationship with Jesus Christ: As believers, our faith is centered around Jesus Christ. Develop a personal relationship with him through prayer, studying the Word, and seeking his guidance in all aspects of life. By nurturing this relationship, you invite his presence into your daily activities.
  2. Seek God’s will: Having pleased God, it is crucial to diligently seek his will and align our actions with his desires. Spend time in prayer, asking for wisdom and guidance. Earnestly seek to understand his plans for your life and surrender your own desires to his divine purpose.
  3. Walk in faith: True faith involves trusting God even when circumstances seem uncertain. Step out in faith, knowing that God is faithful and will fulfill his promises. As Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, faith is being sure of things hoped for and certain of things unseen. Trust that God’s ways are higher and that he is working for your ultimate good.
  4. Practice gratitude: A heart filled with gratitude pleases God. Take time each day to acknowledge and appreciate the blessings in your life, both big and small. Gratitude not only deepens your faith but also shifts your focus from what you lack to the abundance of God’s provision.
  5. Serve others: Jesus Christ exemplified a life of service, and as his followers, we are called to do the same. Engage in acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness toward others. By serving those in need, you reflect the love of Christ and please God through your actions.
a person stands in a sunlit meadow, face upturned with closed eyes, hands clasped in prayer, surrounded by a myriad of vibrant wildflowers and tall grasses

Final Thoughts

The fundamental foundation on which our lives as Christians are based is our faith in God, revealed in Christ and God’s Word. We essentially switch off God whenever we let our disbelief rule us. The eternity of the unsaved, as well as our connection with God, are both poisoned by unbelief, which makes it impossible to please God.

Our maturity level and capacity to persevere in difficult situations will depend on the faith we have in him. Let us keep in mind that without faith, it is impossible to please God, so we should honor him by putting our faith in him in a way that respects his character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is It Impossible To Please God Without Faith?

It is impossible to please God without faith because faith is the means through which we establish a relationship with God, trust in His promises, and commit our lives to Him based on His character and assurances. Without faith, one cannot fully accept, trust, or follow God’s guidance, making it impossible to align with His will and thus please Him.

What Is Faith That Pleases God?

Faith that pleases God is characterized by trust, loyalty, and assurance in His promises and character. It involves believing in God’s existence, His reward for those who earnestly seek Him, and living out this belief through actions that reflect His will and character.

Why Is Faith So Important To God?

Faith is so important to God because it is the foundation of the relationship between God and believers. It allows individuals to trust in God’s promises, rely on His character, and live in accordance with His will. Faith is essential for salvation, making it central to the Christian life and indispensable for pleasing God.

What Does Hebrews 11:6 Means?

Hebrews 11:6 means that 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. This verse highlights the importance of faith in establishing a relationship with God, trusting in His existence, and the assurance that He rewards those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

1 thought on “Meaning Of “Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please God””

  1. Faith is such a relevant doctrine for Christians. It is like an achor to our salvation and way to eternity. God blessess you for the insights.

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