Friday, September 04, 2009

Pleasing God in Our Work and Life

I've been thinking about Hebrews 11:6 today -

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.

If we're to please God in any way, we must approach Him in faith - it is a necessary condition. According to this verse, faith starts with a belief that God exists. At first glance, this would appear to be obvious and inconsequential. But it's not. That's because the existence of God is of great consequence. Believing in God isn't just mental assent - it has ultimate impact on all matters pertaining to our lives - on how we work, play, live and die.

So I'm just wondering -

How does the existence of God impact the way I do my work or engage those around me?
What does it look like for me to work with faith toward God?
Why am I so self reliant and forgetful of my need for God?

5 comments:

Rachel Mc said...

I believe in God and know, with conviction, He is working in my life to guide me and mold me. I am one of those christians who tries very hard to sit on the sidelines, sit in the back pew, and generally be unnoticable. I do this for a variety of reasons and past experiences but lets just sum it up this way: I am trying to fly under God's radar. So whyile I want to be behind the scenes God keeps putting me into situations where I have a tremendous opportunity to do His work and impact other peoples lives. It looks like, for me to work with faith towards God, that I need to accept His definition of me and not my own. I am just amazed at how much confidence and faith God has in me.

Every Square Inch said...

Rachel Mc - thanks for sharing a bit of yourself in your comment. You're so right that it is the Creator who defines the creature - more correctly than the creature defines herself.

In one sense, His view of men and women as image bearers of His glory is more than we can ever hope to be in our own minds.

Seattle Boy said...

"Why am I so self reliant and forgetful of my need for God?"

Maybe because there is no need.

Ted M. Gossard said...

ESI,
Relationships are at the heart of "the Jesus Creed," loving God and neighbor. We must by the Spirit, walk on that path.

Halfmom said...

To questions 1 & 2, something I'm trying to figure out myself, especially in light of much effort without significant payoff (grant rejections)

As to question 3 and to Seattle Boy, because I am arrogant. I want to be God so that there is no one over me to answer to. Denying the existence of God is simply deciding that I am sufficient in and of myself to earn anything I need, including a position of control and provision of all things needed for life and goodness.