Pleasing to whom? The Apostle Paul asked, “Do I seek to please man or serve Christ? (Gal. 1:10). It is a powerful question indeed. It is a very important question because without proper faith, one cannot be pleasing to God (Heb. 11:6).

Impossible faith is a faith without God. Too many times individuals talk about their ambiguous faith, “spiritual” in nature but without God. Such faith is impossible for salvation as all pleasing faith must be God-centered and Word-based (John 17:17). That is clear: “he that comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of themthat diligently seek Him.” It would seem very important to get this right!

The source of pleasing faith is God. God is (Gen 1:1). He is the great Jehovah (Exod. 3:14),“the great I AM.” The “living God” (Matt. 16:16), the one evidenced by creation (Psalm 19:1-3; Rom. 1:20). He is the God of the universe, Who is holding all in place (Heb. 1:3) with seasons continuing (Gen. 8:22), the oceans in bounds (Job 26:10), and limiting man (Acts 17:26). The case is clear, if the God of the universe can do all the above, then he can save you.

The pleasing product of faith is obedient action. Faith’s hall of fame is found in Hebrews 11. By faith Noah built an ark “to the saving of his house” (v. 7). By faith Abram got up and out to the land of promise (v. 8). It was by faith that Moses gave up the fame, fortune, and celebrity of Pharaoh’s house—“pleasures of sin for a season” (v. 25) to “suffer affliction with the people of God.” By faith Rahab risked it all to protect the people of God (v. 31). It was by faith that some were even willing to be cut into pieces [Isaiah] (v. 37) for serving God. And it was by faith that Peter and Andrew followed Jesus (Matt. 4:18-20). These are just some examples of pleasing faith. Pleasing to whom? God.

Here’s a question to entertain: can you give one example [from the word of God] of pleasing faith that allowed individuals to do whatever they wanted to do? Pleasing faith has always been obedient faith. That is, taking God at His word, and doing what He says to do.

Note verse 40 of Hebrews 11 where it says, “God having provided something better for us…” that being the completion of His salvation plan by and through Jesus Christ. Many died never knowing what you know today through the complete will of God—the Bible, recording a wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On the mount of transfiguration, God said, “hear Him” (Matt. 17:5).

When one hears the Word of God, believing and doing what He says to do, that is pleasing faith. That is faith that comes at a price [diligence], but has a great reward in Heaven.

-David Hill