Without Faith: Monday Manna

I'm hosting Monday Manna this week :)

The purpose of Monday Manna to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. Each Thursday, a Bible verse to ponder will be posted, either here or at my dear friend Vonnie's blog, My Back Door. The following Monday, those participating will post their thoughts on the verse at their own blogs and link up at the bottom of the post in the Linky gadget. The main purpose is to chew on the same Scripture and learn from one another.

Here's this week' verse:

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. Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Looking forward to your thoughts. Mine are below.

**

He was a philanthropist; giving all his money to the poor, disabled, and down on their luck. He served in soup kitchens, participated in community clean-up, and helped children from broken homes get a new lease on life.

He was well-liked by kids and adults alike for his giving nature and selflessness. He enjoyed helping others. He often worked alongside his Christian friends, serving God's people in various capacities. He gave his tithe, and then some, to the local church.

But there was one problem. He had no faith in God. And it made all the difference.

He did the very same things that God's children did. He sat next to them in the pews. He served the needy beside them. He prayed aloud with them. He donated to their favorite causes.

But God was not pleased with him.

Seem unfair? From an earthly point of view, perhaps. How, you ask, can one person do good and be pleasing to the Lord, while the other does the same and is condemned? They each did the same thing.

But salvation, and delighting God, has nothing to do with works--with what we do. And it has everything to do with our hearts--Who is in them. No matter what we do, if we are not His, it is displeasing to the Lord.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17

With a broken spirit and a contrite heart -- with faith, any act can be pleasing to Him. Without it? No chance.

**

Thanks for reading! Be sure to link up below, and read others' thoughts on this verse by clicking on the links!




Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence