Do you want to please God? Every committed Christian wants to please the Lord. The Bible explains what attitudes and actions please God. Every one of them is grounded in faith. Learn why faith pleases God and improves your life.

Hebrews 11:6 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. What a dramatic statement! What an absolute edict!

Faith is central to the Christian life. Without faith, we cannot please God. With faith, we can move mountains! Through faith, we accomplish everything from the ordinary to the impossible.

Choose to please the Lord through faith and God can make everything else fall into place. Click To Tweet

What is faith?

Bible faith is the belief in God and His Word.

Here is a simple definition of personal faith: “Faith is the measure of your personal confidence in God.”

Faith is the noun form of words like “believe” and “trust.” The Christian life begins with faith and lives by it daily. Through faith, we are saved, sanctified, and serve.

Why is it impossible to please God without faith? Allow me to offer two reasons. 

1. There is nothing in us to please God outside of faith.

We are sinners, and God is holy. Our sin cries out for judgment.

Romans 3:10–12 

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 

 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Even for the Christian, there is no good in our flesh. The only good in me is God in me.

Romans 7:18 

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Even our attempts at righteousness are like filthy rags to God. All attempts at praise, worship, sacraments, sacrifice, good works, and wonderful intentions are meaningless without the redemptive work of Christ.

Isaiah 64:6 

But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

The words “filthy rags” can be translated “as a menstruous cloth.” (Leviticus 15:33)  Our best attempts at righteousness are so contaminated by sin that they are abominable in the eyes of God.

God does not love us because we are good or worthy. He loves us despite our sin because He is love.

Only the perfect shed blood of Christ can cleanse our souls when it is applied by faith.

2. Every meaningful relationship is built upon trust.

A married person trusts a spouse to keep the marriage vows. The employee trusts the boss to pay him. The boss trusts the employee to be honest and work hard. The pastor trusts the members to seek God and obey His commandments. The members trust the pastor to walk with God and rightly divide the Word.

Think about every important relationship in your life. Trust is the foundation of growth and security. Where there is no trust, there is pain and turmoil. Relationships can be completely severed because of broken trust.

In the light of these two facts, it makes perfect sense that we cannot please God on our own. We must come to Him on His terms. FAITH.

People who don’t know the Scriptures may try to please God in sinful ways without faith.

Consider the story of Balak and Balaam.

Numbers 23:27 

And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.

The wicked king Balak wanted the prophet Balaam to curse Isreal. When God wouldn’t allow the prophet to curse His people, Balak thought that the location might be the problem. No. The problem was that Israel was God’s chosen people and they were blessed. A different location would not change that fact.

People who don’t know the Bible have weird ideas about what God likes or thinks is acceptable. Some believe that certain sins are acceptable in some locations but not others. Some conjecture that activity God calls sin is actually tolerable under certain circumstances. Not so! 

If it has ever been a sin, it will always be a sin. If it has ever been right, it will always be right. Truth is eternal, and our God never changes.

Malachi 3:6 

For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

The Bible tells us plainly what pleases and displeases God. Do you have the faith to believe that? If so, you can please God!

Our text verse details two necessary components of faith the pleases God.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1. Believe that God exists.

“…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,”

Supernatural faith begins with believing that there is a god.  

Bible faith is believing that there is one God as He revealed Himself in the Scriptures.  

Creation tells us that there must be a Creator. Every people group in the world believes in a higher power. Only those who have enough education to blind them to the obvious reject the idea of deity.

But how can we know Who this God is?  

The finite are not wise or powerful enough to learn the deep truths of the Infinite. God must reveal Himself to us. He does this through the Holy Bible.

Faith that pleases God begins with believing that there is a God and that He is exactly Who He claims to be.

2. Believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

“…and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

The second element of faith that pleases God is that we believe in His divine character as revealed in the Bible.

God is a giver.

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

God gave us:

• a universe to exist in.
• a world to live in.
• a body to dwell.
• a mind to think.
• hands to work.
• a mouth to speak.
• ears to hear.
• a purpose in life.
• a Book to study.
• eternal principles by which to live.

The list could go on for days!

God is more than a giver. He is a rewarder. He gives some things freely. Other items of worth can be earned.  

The Bible is filled with if/then promises. God says if you do ______ then I will ________.

Consider these famous Bible promises.

2 Chronicles 7:14 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Jeremiah 33:3 

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Romans 10:13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Do you believe that God will keep His Word? If so, you can have faith that pleases God!

What is the result of faith? Action. True faith always moves people to action. For example, if you really believed that a loved one was in danger and you could help them, you would do anything possible to rescue them. That’s what faith does.

True faith causes us to “come to God” as outlined in Hebrews 11:6. If you believe that God is real and He rewards them who seek Him, why wouldn’t you come to Him!

The opposite is true also. If you don’t believe that God exists, or you don’t believe that he keeps His Word, you will not seek Him.  

Here are 3 ways you can please God by faith today.

1. Believing The Gospel Of Jesus Christ Pleases God.

Romans 8:8 

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans chapter 8 uses two phrases that are vital to understand.  

The phrase “in the flesh signifies a lost person.  

The phrase “after the flesh” identifies a believer living carnally.

Lost people cannot please God. Period. No amount of effort, sacrifice, self-righteousness, and good intentions can atone the sin debt.

Jehovah is righteous and holy. Sin must be paid. Either you will be punished for your own sin in the eternal fires of Hell, or you will accept the payment of Christ on your behalf through faith in the Gospel. There is no third option.

Revelation 21:8 

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

John 3:18 

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:36 

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Saving faith pleases God! There is joy “in the presence” of the angels when a sinner comes to Christ by faith.

Luke 15:10

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

2. Living By Faith In Our Daily Lives Pleases God.

Three times in the New Testament we are commanded to “live by faith.” This pleases the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

The Bible clearly teaches us how to walk uprightly and please the Lord. We are enjoined to continue in that teaching and grow to greater heights of faith and obedience.

Colossians 1:10 

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

This verse directs us to walk worthy of the Lord. What does that mean?

Walk in a way that pleases Him. Live in a way that is worthy of His name. It pleases the Lord when we abound in good works and increase in His knowledge.

Hebrews 13:16

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

God is a good and holy. Also, He is the ultimate giver. It is not surprising that it pleases God when we are good and give to others.

Our Lord’s example was not giving us left overs. He gave us His best when He sacrificed His only begotten Son for our salvation. We must be willing to sacrifice as wel. This is well-pleasing to God.

Sin displeases God.

1 Corinthians 10:5–12 

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 

 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 

 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 

 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

What is the result of faith? Action. True faith always moves people to action. Click To Tweet

3. Spreading The Gospel By Faith Pleases God.

1 Thessalonians 2:4–8 

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 

 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 

 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 

 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 

 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

God trusted us with the most precious and powerful knowledge in the Universe. We know how to be made right with God Almighty and live for ever in eternal bliss.  

Satan and his minions try to hide this knowledge. They want people to go to Hell and suffer with him for ever.  

Sharing the Gospel has a dramatic effect on individuals and communities. They will either accept it with joy or reject it with animus. The Bible warns us that most people are on the broad way to destruction. Don’t be surprised when they attempt to suppress the Gospel.

We must spread the Gospel far and wide. Every soul that believes is saved for ever. The risk is worth the reward.

It pleases the Lord when we obey the Great Commission.

CONCLUSION

In this article, you have learned why it is impossible to please God without faith, the two elements of pleasing faith, and three actions of faith that please the Lord.

Now you have a decision to make.

Will you please men or God? You can’t please both.  

Choose to please the Lord through faith and God can make everything else fall into place.

Proverbs 16:7 

When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Faith pleases God. Let’s live by faith today!