“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.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)
I’ve read this familiar verse all my life. Each time, I’ve understood the writer of Hebrews to be saying that faith is what pleases God. If I can’t please God without faith, then faith must be the thing that pleases Him. If I’m struggling with unbelief, He must not be pleased with me.
This week I saw this verse in a whole new light.
There are actually two parallel statements in this verse.
- Without faith I can’t please God.
- I will draw near to God if I believe He exists and that He is good.
These are both contingent statements, in that they both express an “if, then” reality. The first statement expresses this negatively: if not this, then not that. If I don’t have faith I can’t please God. The second statement is expressed positively, but the “then” is placed before the if. If we express both of the statements using the same form, positively with the “if” preceding the “then”, they look like this.
- If I have faith, then I will please God.
- If I believe God exists and is good, I will draw near to God.
Note that the “if” of both statements is essentially the same. Believing that God exists and that God is good is simply a more specific way to express the idea of faith. What is the result of this faith? What is the “then” that will follow once the conditional “if” is satisfied?”
Answer: I will please God. I will draw near to God.
This verse doesn’t teach us that faith pleases God. It teaches us that what pleases God is when I draw near to Him. Faith is simply the necessary condition. If I don’t have faith, if I don’t believe that God is good and responsive, if I don’t believe that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him, then I won’t draw near. Me keeping my distance from God doesn’t please God. Drawing near to God is what pleases God.
Let’s draw near!
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7 Comments
I love that this perspective emphasizes that God is actively positive and not passively negative. For some of us it easy to see God with his arms crossed and closed, distantly watching us struggle to have faith, seeing if we can make it to him. I am thankful he is actively involved in our journey to him and is desiring us to walk with and toward him.
“Actively positive and not passively negative…”. I like how you say that. That’s a really great summation.
Alan,
Great insight! I think too often we read the Word without reading the Word, it’s an onion that needs to be peeled back layer by layer to get at the deeper meaning which is usually so simple we miss it.
Thanks for this… Love the email reminders to come check your brain out and see your new insights. I am His beloved daughter in whom He is well pleased! Then and now and forever! Thanks again for praying with me.
Amazing post! This verse has always been a hang up for me. Way to dig!!!
Great post, Alan! What an encouragement to really examine what we read…..and how we interpret it. I learned a long time ago that the context is important, but still can miss what is right in front of my face. May the Lord continue to use you to open His word to us.
Well said, Alan! As someone who grew up in the Word-Faith movement, I heard Hebrews 11:6 taught by almost everyone. But it always bothered me that I had to do something, namely faith, to please God. Fortunately, my understanding of both grace and faith has grown so that now I know that I please my Father because of who I am (His son) and not what I do. My faith is not a “work” I do, but rather is a response to the love that I experience when I draw near to Him.