“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.” Hebrews 11:5
There are no hidden mysteries to faith that only a few can discover. But those who prevail by faith, do so due to faith. They seek to make things right with God by wholeheartedly responding to the will and way of God, revealed by God’s Word.
The earmark of Enoch’s spiritual success transcended a curiosity for the supernatural and just a hope for a heavenly abode after death. His heart was set on pleasing God.
Faith is a marvelous and miraculous thing in that it makes promises present and real, and unseen things visible. Thus Noah, by faith, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, while his contemporaries remained unconcerned and insensitive to his cause. This contrast is also visible amongst the ranks of professed Christianity, as many professed Christians exemplify the condition, “whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things.”
Without the action of faith in perceiving the person and goodness of God, the individual will be beset with chasms too wide to cross to please God (in their own mind). Thus, many are trapped in a state lacking motivation to attain to the will of God. They are conscious of their lack but they don’t have the supremacy of God’s will dominating their heart. This is the result of personally choosing not to make the issues of life right with God in all respects.
There are many things warring against making things right with God in our lives: fleshly desires that conflict with God’s way; the fear of what others will think or say; and circumstances demanding that we take our life into our own hands, rather than rely on the plan and purpose of God.
But the failure to make things right with God on each issue as it arises, simply prevents the perfection of our faith. In James 2:21-24, we are told Abraham’s faith was made perfect when he chose to offer up Isaac. This means he would never have come to a right and full understanding about God’s will for his life, had he not exercised unquestionable obedience to make things right with God.
Had Abraham backed off instead, due to the great conflict of circumstances, he would have always questioned why God asked him to offer up Isaac. He would never have understood the Divine purpose of it all, and it would have become a matter of offense in his heart and mind.
The reason some do not “see” some teachings of God’s Word, and it does not suit, is because their response to God’s Word on that detail lacked the purpose to make all things right with God. As time passes, this offense against the truth becomes an offense in the individual’s own faith, even unto turning aside from the way of truth. Beware of not making all things right with God!
SHARING
