Believe That God Is

Believe That God Is

“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.” Heb. 11:6.

If you believe this, you will be at rest. Believing it does not mean that you sense it is like that or that you understand it to be like that. Having faith means that you build your life on God’s Word; you conduct yourself according to God’s Word and reckon that God, who has said it, guides everything and is a rewarder.

“Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart . . . .” Eph. 6:5-8.

Having faith is to conduct your life according to this Word. The person who wants to please men is never at rest, but if you believe that God rewards those who seek Him, you will be at rest. “Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord . . . .” In other words, whatever people do means nothing to us who believe. Whatever good a person does, he will receive it again from the Lord. That ought to be sufficient for us who believe. By faith the elders received a good testimony. Heb. 11:2.

“Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” Matt. 10:26.

“For we who have believed do enter that rest . . . .” Heb. 4:3. If you really believe that God is, and believe that nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, you will be preserved from all the evil to which you can be tempted. Then in the hidden it is not difficult to do what is good.

“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matt. 6:17-18.

When you fast you suffer privation. Then people usually think about food; yet all suffering is a privation. People think they are being overlooked, and then they get offended; they are being contradicted and so they get angry; they are in poor health, and so they suffer and complain, etc. When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face. Take care that people do not see you fasting. Live before God’s face! Demand nothing and expect nothing from people. If you do, the result will be only disappointment and strife. Live for God and “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Phil. 4:6-7.

This is God’s Word. Having faith means you conduct yourself according to God’s Word by believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

When Jude, in his letter, writes about those who pervert God’s grace, who are clouds without water, who are twice dead, etc., he exhorts us seriously that we should not fall prey to the same deception: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Vs. 20-21.

When a person comes out of love and finds fault with his fellow men it is because he does not believe. As far as most people are concerned, their love grows cold when unrighteousness abounds. Their faith that God rewards those who seek Him, fails them. They no longer believe that all things work together for good to those who seek God or that everyone will receive again for the good he has done. Only those who are built up on their faith can be preserved in love. You cannot be ready for Jesus’ return without being preserved in love. Tribulations are momentary and light for all those who believe. For them, tribulations work a far more and exceeding weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4:17. Then we are ready.