And 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 seek Him. Heb11:6
When we look at Hebrews 11:5-6, the faith of Enoch is important because Enoch exemplifies saving faith, but he also challenges us to a living faith. Our faith in the modern day is passive and inactive, lifeless and without power. This sort of faith usually kicks in late as a delayed reaction when all our own efforts have failed with little to no effect. Ironically, we know more clearly then ancient men that the solution to all our problems is found in Christ and His resurrection. If our faith is living, it is to be quick and proactive to approach every moment with Jesus Christ the risen Lord.
Christians never die but instead are alive (1 John 5:12, John 11:26). Even though sin leads to death (Romans 6:23), for the believer, though we sin, our sin does not result in death (1 John 5:16-17). This is because, Jesus is with the believer, and wherever Jesus is there is life (Matthew 11:19, Mark 5:35-42, Luke 24:5). Therefore a faith in Jesus results in life, instead of death. By faith, a sinner is transferred from under the power of death, into the power of the living God. Therefore a believer is to display signs of life because they are indeed truly made alive.
There are two kinds of faith, a false faith and a true faith, a dead faith and living faith. God is not pleased by false faith of which there are a few examples. The first is an acknowledging faith. Acknowledging faith only has a knowledge of God, but no inward response (Luke 4:34, Matthew 15:8). Faith that is only composed of intellect but not a change in the heart is a superficial faith. Next we see a faith composed of knowledge and fear. Even the demons know who God is and tremble. This faith fails to see God’s love which leads to repentance and a restored relationship. True faith is compelled by love, not by fear (2 Corinthians 5:14). Lastly, we see a disobedient faith. Obedience and faith are inseparable. Even Jesus learned obedience (Hebrews 5:8), and only by an obedient faith can a believer experience Christ in their lives. A disobedient faith cannot claim to be true and pleasing to God.
Looking in Genesis 5:22-24, the descriptions of Enoch’s faith is described as “Enoch walked with God”. True faith is not by oneself, but with God. A closeness and relationship with God is central to a living faith. This relationship is characterized by walking. In Scripture, walking denotes behavior. To walk with God means to behave in accordance to His divine will (Eph 5:8, Colossians 2:6). Walking is a constant desire in the heart for God’s will in His word and striving to obey (Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 17:26, John 10:30).
To start walking with God, we must go back to the gospel of Jesus Christ. First, we must crucify our old self. The old is gone, but we have new life with a living faith. Then the gospel must be applied daily in our lives. We must not limit the gospel, but the death and resurrection of Jesus is the greatest glory in all the universe, and therefore must be great in our lives and hearts. Only when the full extent of the gospel is believed, is there true victory over sin and death, to the glory and pleasure of God.
Hebrews 11:6 says we “must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Must means it is absolutely necessary. Believing God as He is revealed in the Holy Scriptures is critical for true faith. So we must seek Him and the reward He offers, which is Himself. There is no greater reward.
This is the challenge to you. Do you have a living faith which pleases God? Is your faith passive and inactive; proving to be false and resulting in death? Do you seek God’s will and obey His word? Do you walk with God by faith like Enoch did? Examine yourself! For those whose faith pleases God will never die but have eternal life.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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