THE ONLY WAY TO PLEASE GOD

The Bible is clear: “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.” (Hebrews 11:6) Now, let that sink in for a moment. It doesn’t say that without faith it is unlikely that you can please God. It doesn’t say that it is difficult or improbable, but the Holy Spirit inspired author says, “It is impossible!”

Faith is the only way to please God.

This is Paul’s theme in the fourth chapter of Romans, which we will examine this week. It has to be one of the most important passages in the Word of God. Here, is set forth the singular way by which a person can please God and enter heaven. Now, that’s important!

Notice the three verses that commence the chapter and the three that conclude it:

1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,
24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

Understand that we are not saved by faith itself, but by God’s grace which is accessed by faith (Romans 5:2). Neither are we saved by the degree of our faith—that would be faith in faith. It is the object of our faith that saves us—trusting in Jesus Christ. It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone!