How essential it is then that each of us examine himself diligently and make sure that he has faith.
(The following is from a paragraph in A.W. Pink’s Book “Exposition of Hebrews” in the chapter titled: The Faith of Enoch)
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Look how much work faith has to do and how all things in the Christian life must come by faith!
Reader, are you certain that you have the "faith of God’s elect" (Titus 1:1)? If not, it is high time you make sure, for "without faith it is impossible to please God."
There must be that setting aside of our own preferences and ways, that bowing to God’s will, that submitting to His appointments, that obedience to His requirements, before there can be any real walking with Him. Obedience to Him, then walking with Him, then witnessing for Him, is Heaven’s unchanging order.
Now that which is a fact of Christian doctrine needs to become a fact of Christian experience: we need to enjoy the good, the power, the blessedness of it in our souls day by day. And this can only be as a supernatural faith is in exercise. A bare knowledge of doctrine is practically worthless, unless the heart earnestly seeks from God a practical out-working of it. It is one thing to believe that I have judicially passed from death unto life, it is quite another to live practically in the realm of LIFE. But that is exactly what a life of faith is: it is a being lifted above the things which are seen, and a being occupied with those things which are unseen. It is for the affections to be no longer set on things on the earth, but to have them fixed on things in Heaven.
"Before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Do I? Do you? That is a most timely inquiry. If we are not "pleasing God," then the more knowledge we have of His truth, the worse for us. "That servant which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes" (Luke 12:47). God will not be mocked. Fair words and reverent postures cannot deceive Him. It is not how much light do I have, but how far am I in complete subjection to the Lord?
O my reader, if God be not working mightily in your life and mine, showing Himself strong on our behalf (2 Chron. 16:9), then something is seriously wrong with us.
They who live with God hereafter must learn to please God here before they depart hence. 9. They who walk with God please Him. 10. They who please God shall not lack TESTIMONY thereof.
We are living in a world which is under God’s righteous curse and death is plainly stamped across everything in it. But when faith is in exercise, the soul is lifted above this scene, and its favored possessor is enabled to "walk in newness of life."
It is by faith the convicted and repentant sinner is forgiven and saved (Mk 2:5, Acts 16:31).
It is by faith we are sanctified (Acts 26:18).
It is by faith our hearts are purified (Acts 15:9)
It is by faith we have access to God (Eph. 3:12, Hebrews 10:22).
It is by faith that Christ dwells in the heart (Eph. 3:17).
It is by faith that we live (Gal. 2:20).
It is by faith that we stand firm in our salvation (Rom. 11:20; 2 Corinthians 1:24).
It is by faith we walk with God (2 Cor. 5:7, Gen 5:24, Heb 11:5).
It is by faith that we obey God. (Acts 6:7, Rom 1:5)
It is by faith that we forgive the unforgivable (Lk 17:4-5)
It is by faith our basic needs are met (Lk 12:28)
It is by faith that our prayers are answered (Mk 11:22-24, Jam 5:15)
It is by faith “mountain” sized obstacles are removed. (Mat 21:21)
It is by faith that we experience miracles (Mat 13:58, Jn 14:12)
It is by faith demons are cast out (Mat 17:19-20)
It is by faith that we are healed or delivered (Mat 9:22, 29)
It is by faith we experience peace (Lk 7:50)
It is by faith we get justice (Lk 18:8)
It is by faith the devil is successfully resisted (1 Pet. 5:8, 9).
It is by faith we avoid apostasy (Lk 22:32)
It is by faith that we fight the good fight (1 Tim. 6:12)
It is by faith we overcome great trials, disasters, and hardships (Acts 14:22, 27:25)
It is by faith that we are shielded by God’s power. (1 Pet 1:5)
It is by faith that the world is overcome (1 John 5:4).
IT IS ONE THING TO KNOW THE DOCTRINES, BUT IT IS QUITE ANOTHER TO LIVE THEM.
Ah, dear reader, it is one thing to talk well about the things of God, but it is quite another to walk accordingly; as it is one thing to pen articles and deliver sermons, and quite another to practice what we preach!
It is one thing to make "confession of faith," it is quite another to "hold fast" the same; multitudes do the former, exceedingly few the latter. It is easy to declare myself a Christian, but it is most difficult indeed to live the life of one.
It is one thing to obtain a theoretical knowledge of a truth by means of reading, it is quite another to have a real and inward acquaintance with the same. As the tried and tempest-tossed soul bows meekly to the providential dealings of God, he experimentally learns what is "that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2).
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). But it is one thing to quote that verse, and another to put it into practice. If we are the children of Abraham, we must emulate the example of Abraham. Are our carnal affections mortified? Can we submit to a pilgrim’s fare without murmuring? Are we enduring hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3)?
"Obtained promises." Ah, it is one thing to hear and read about the wonderful things which the faith of others secures, but what about your own experience, dear reader? You may sincerely think that you believe in and are resting upon the sure promises of God, but are you obtaining a fulfillment of them in your own daily life? Are the blessings set forth in the promises actually in your possession? Are you securing the things promised? If not, is the reason to be found in your failure to heed what here precedes? Before "obtained promises" comes "subdued kingdoms" and then "wrought righteousness." We must not expect to "obtain" the precious things set before us in the promises until we definitely and diligently set about the subjugation of the flesh, and walk according to the rules of God’s Word—regulating our conduct by its precepts and commands.
It is one thing to believe intellectually that "God is love" and that He loves His people, but it is quite another to enjoy and live in that love in the soul.
It is one thing to possess a clear intellectual grasp of the doctrines of grace, it is quite another to EXPERIENCE the grace of the doctrines in a spiritual way. It is one thing to believe the Scriptures are the inspired and inerrant Word of God, it is another for the soul to live under the awe of their Divine authority, realizing that one day we shall be judged by them. It is one thing to be convinced that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, it is another to surrender to His scepter and live in personal subjection to Him. What does it profit me to be convinced that God is omnipotent, unless I am learning to lean upon His mighty arm? What avail is it to me that I am assured of God’s omniscience unless the knowledge that His eye is ever upon me acts as a salutary restraint to my actions? What does it advantage me to know that without holiness no man shall see the Lord, unless I am making the acquirement of holiness my chief concern and aim!
That which has been pointed out above has to do with no obscure and intricate subject which lies far above the reach of the rank and file of the common people, but is plain, self-evident, simple. Alas, that our hearts are so little impressed by it and our consciences so rarely exercised over it. When we measure ourselves by that standard, have we not all of us much cause to hang our heads in shame? Our intellects are stored with Scripture truth, but how little are our lives molded thereby. Our doctrinal views are sound and orthodox, but how little we know experimentally of "the truth which leads to godliness" (Titus 1:1). Has not the Savior much ground for saying to both writer and reader, "Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). O that we may be duly humbled over our sad failures.
Thereby we are taught that the true life of the saint is, from beginning to end, one of faith. Without faith no progress can be made, no victories be obtained, no fruit be brought forth unto God’s glory.
Reader, how many years of your life record no acting’s of faith to the praise of Divine grace?