Faith isn’t just a small part of the Christian life—it’s the center of it. The Bible says that without faith, we can’t please God. That’s a strong statement. But what does it mean? Why is faith so important? And how can we live in a way that truly pleases God?
Let’s break this down in simple terms and use Scripture to guide us.
What Does Hebrews 11:6 Say?
“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 (NKJV)
This verse tells us two things we must believe:
- That God exists
- That God rewards those who seek Him
This means we can’t just believe in a distant, silent God. We must trust that God is real, active, loving, and personal.
Why Faith Matters to God
Faith shows trust. When a child jumps into a parent’s arms, it’s because they believe they’ll be caught. That’s the kind of trust God wants from us.
Here’s what faith looks like:
- Trusting God’s Word, even when we don’t see results right away.
- Believing in God’s promises, even when life feels uncertain.
- Relying on God, not on ourselves.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)
God wants a relationship, not just obedience. Faith is how we connect with Him. It’s how we say, “I believe You, Lord—even when I can’t see the whole picture.”
Examples of Faith That Pleased God
The Bible gives us many stories of people who pleased God by their faith.
| Person | What They Did | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham | Left his home without knowing where he was going | Hebrews 11:8 |
| Noah | Built an ark when there was no sign of rain | Hebrews 11:7 |
| Rahab | Protected the spies, believing God would save her | Hebrews 11:31 |
| The Centurion | Believed Jesus could heal with just a word | Matthew 8:10 |
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” — Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV)
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household.” — Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV)
“When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said... ‘I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’” — Matthew 8:10 (NKJV)
Each one of them pleased God, not because of perfect actions, but because they trusted Him.
Faith Is the Starting Point
We cannot come to God without faith. Salvation begins with faith in Jesus:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
We don’t earn God’s love. We simply believe and receive.
What Happens Without Faith?
Without faith, we start to:
- Depend on our own strength
- Doubt God’s promises
- Live in fear, not in trust
“Whatever is not from faith is sin.” — Romans 14:23 (NKJV)
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” — Psalm 14:1 (NKJV)
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
That’s why faith is so important. It keeps our eyes on God, not on the storm.
How Can We Grow in Faith?
Faith isn’t something we just "have" one day. It grows as we walk with God.
Ways to grow your faith:
- Read the Bible daily
- Pray and talk to God often
- Obey even when it’s hard
- Surround yourself with other believers
- Remember what God has done in the past
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7 (NKJV)
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22 (NKJV)
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” — Hebrews 10:24–25 (NKJV)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” — Psalm 103:2 (NKJV)
Living by Faith Every Day
Faith isn’t just for big moments—it’s for every day:
- When you’re waiting for a job
- When your family is hurting
- When you don’t know what’s next
God is pleased when we trust Him in those moments. Even a small amount of faith can move mountains.
“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” — Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)
“The just shall live by faith.” — Romans 1:17 (NKJV)
Final Thoughts
Pleasing God isn’t about being perfect. It’s about trusting Him fully. When we choose faith, we are choosing to believe in God’s goodness, His power, and His promises—no matter what life looks like.
Faith is the bridge between us and God. And without it, we cannot walk with Him.
