Title Without Faith
Contents
When Jesus went to Caesarea Philippi with his beloved disciples, Peter made a confession of faith that we know well. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus said to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” But Jesus didn't just give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. He has shown us all here the way to possess the keys of heaven.
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The key that unlocks the door to the kingdom of heaven is faith in the Son of God. It is also the key given to us. It reminds us of the importance of faith in three ways.
1. It is said, “Without faith it is impossible to please.”
If we do not have faith, we cannot please our Heavenly Father. Without faith in our hearts, no matter how good our deeds, no matter how much we possess, we cannot please God with them. In order to please God, you must have a heart like a child, with a heart that completely trusts in God.
The life of faith means that God is not pleased if we try to do things our own way. Although it is a small faith that pleases God, God is pleased when this faith is in our hearts.
2. He said, “He that comes to God must know that he is.”
We must believe that God exists. The first step in faith is to be sure of the existence of God. “God will be there . . . ” is not a vague guess. You must believe that he exists. Whatever you do, say, “I am standing before God. You must have the clear conviction that even now, God is with me.” Only then can we please God.
But why do people not believe that God exists? There is only one reason. You can't believe it because you can't see it with your own eyes. If you claim that you can't believe because you can't see, you're really stupid. Although it is invisible to our eyes, numerous radio waves are floating around. Cell phones, TVs … The back makes sound and sees the image through the radio waves. Although we cannot see it with our own eyes, we have to admit that radio waves exist.
Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God!” We do not see God with our physical eyes. It is looking at God with the eyes of the heart. If only physical eyes could see God, how could someone like Helen Keller, who became blind at birth, believe in God? I hope that you will be able to look to God with a pure heart and live with the faith that God is always with me no matter what I do, and that I am standing before God even now.
3. It said, “You must also believe that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.”
It is not enough just to believe in the existence of God. In that faith that is amazing and grateful for God's love and grace that God saved a sinner like me, we must now offer a more mature determination, dedication, and sacrifice.
He will not forget the tears and sweat we shed for the Lord and will repay you more than that. Looking forward to tomorrow's reward, I bless you with the holy determination that I will dedicate and sacrifice for the Lord today.