What does "pleased God" in Hebrews 11:5 teach about living a faithful life? Setting the Scene “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5) What “Pleased God” Reveals • God notices and publicly commends genuine faith. • The ultimate verdict on a life is not length or earthly success but whether it pleases Him. • Pleasing God is attainable—Enoch, a pre-Flood believer with no written Scripture, managed it. Faith at the Center Verse 6 follows immediately: “And without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith, then, is the single non-negotiable ingredient. • Trust God’s word as true (Romans 4:20-21). • Depend on His character, not on self-effort (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Keep believing when culture disbelieves (Hebrews 11:7). A Daily Walk, Not a Sprint Genesis 5:22-24 repeatedly says Enoch “walked with God.” • Ongoing fellowship—regular, unbroken communion. • Agreement with God’s direction (Amos 3:3). • Moment-by-moment decisions that align with His heart (Colossians 1:10). Consistent Obedience Faith expresses itself in action. • Noah “built an ark” (Hebrews 11:7). • Abraham “obeyed and went” (Hebrews 11:8). Like them, Enoch’s obedient lifestyle reflected real trust. God-Centered, Not Man-Centered • “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). • Pleasing God often contrasts with public approval; Enoch lived in a wicked generation yet stood out. Intimate Fellowship Leads to Transformation • “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more” (Genesis 5:24). Presence with God reshaped him for glory. • 2 Corinthians 3:18—beholding God’s glory changes us “from glory to glory.” Witness and Reward • Enoch’s translation preached a sermon: God rewards faith. • Hebrews 11:16—He “has prepared a city for them.” Pleasing God now anticipates eternal fellowship later. Practical Takeaways for Today 1. Begin each day anchoring your heart in God’s promises—read, believe, and personalize His Word. 2. Cultivate an ongoing dialogue—short prayers, quick thank-yous, immediate confession. 3. Choose obedience in the small, hidden moments; God sees (Matthew 6:4). 4. Evaluate goals by one standard: Does this please the Lord? (1 Thessalonians 4:1). 5. Live expectantly—Christ may come at any moment (1 John 2:28); faithfulness today positions you for joyful meeting tomorrow. Living a faithful life, then, is simply this: keep believing God, keep walking with Him, and let every choice aim for His smile. |
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