“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would approach God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11 is sometimes called the Hall of Faith. The passage lists many of the greats of Old Testament faith, from Abel and Enoch before the flood, to Noah, then to Abraham and Moses after the flood, and many more. This verse and this chapter are part of a much larger argument about the centrality of faith.
This verse starts with the important claim that it is impossible to please God without faith. Honestly, when I read this passage in preparing this reflection, it seemed much less profound than it has in the past.
Often, faith seems like a mystical power, the key to unlocking holiness and the ability to magically move mountains. But what is faith? Hebrews 11:1 gives a pretty simple definition. Faith is the assurance of the reality of what is hoped for and the conviction of that which we cannot see. Another way of saying it might be that faith is a deep-seated belief in the reality of God, even though we cannot see Him. Even more simply, faith is a deep conviction or belief.
It is pretty simple. This also makes the first part of Hebrews 11:6 seem obvious rather than profound. It is essentially saying it is impossible for us to please God if we don’t even think He is real.
I’ve seen articles and heard sermons that say the one thing that pleases God is faith. This passage is used as proof. But I think that misses the point. Faith isn’t the pinnacle of pleasing God. It is the basic requirement. If we desire to draw near to God, we must actually think that He is real. Further, if we are to draw near to God, we must believe there is a reward rather than a punishment.
God is viewed by some as a mean, angry old man in the sky. Many people who attend church see God that way. I know of people who attend church or “come to faith” as a means of avoiding Hell.
Maybe part of the point of this passage is to underscore that this approach is not pleasing to God. Remember, part of faith is hope, “the assurance of things hoped for.” Maybe that hope is less about streets of gold and more about a hope for, a faith in, a God who is gentle and loving rather than mean.
Maybe it is impossible to please God if we do not see or believe in Him as a loving God with whom we can be in a rewarding relationship by drawing near to Him. This would be true if what He really desires from us is a healthy relationship with true intimacy rather than fearful obedience.
A Quote to Consider:
“What is crucial is not that Christians know the truth, but that they be the truth.”
–Stanley Hauerwas
Knowing the truth is propositional. It can be disconnected, uncaring. Knowing the truth does not require emotional or spiritual connection.
Being the truth is embodied. That means it is physical, spiritual, emotional, experiential. Being the truth is enmeshed with human experience.
Truth is also inseparable from goodness and beauty. We can know the truth without being good. Many of us have known religious leaders like that. One can also know truth without beauty, without delight.
But if someone is the truth, they are also good, and they engender delight for those who know them.
We can know the truth without being transformed. Even the demons know the truth. But we cannot be the truth without the divine transformation of Christ.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help me believe that You are real and that You reward those who seek You. Free me from fear-driven faith and draw me into loving intimacy with You. Make me not only know the truth but help me to be truth.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
Image: Pamela Reynoso
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