27 Apr '17 19:48>
Is the mantra of some Christians [particularly sonship and josephw] who quote this to support their faith only doctrine.
Heb 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.
Is God interested in faith alone Christians? If you read around this passage, both before and after Heb 11, Paul explains the full picture.
Faith is the starting point for the professed believer in Christ. Faith is a means to an end, and any Christian that continues to boast about faith and preach only about their faith then that faith is dead and has not progressed into righteousness and good works. Faith if it is genuine and true will lead in the end to good works and righteous living.
Proof that this is the correct interpretation can be found throughout the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. Nowhere is faith alone a virtue. Faith must have works with it otherwise it is dead. In the very same passage one can find this proof. The entire chapters of Heb 10 and 11 says this:
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Chritian saints who live a life of sin will find no more sacrifice for their sins... God takes no pleasure in such Christians. All of the patriachs of old listed who had faith, they are listed there with their good works, their righteousness and their obedience to God.
Abel was righteous
Enoch pleased God
Noah was righteous and obedient
Abraham was obedient
Righteousness and good works must come if one proclaims to be faithful otherwise it is dead faith.
Therefore faith alone does not please God.
Heb 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.
Is God interested in faith alone Christians? If you read around this passage, both before and after Heb 11, Paul explains the full picture.
Faith is the starting point for the professed believer in Christ. Faith is a means to an end, and any Christian that continues to boast about faith and preach only about their faith then that faith is dead and has not progressed into righteousness and good works. Faith if it is genuine and true will lead in the end to good works and righteous living.
Proof that this is the correct interpretation can be found throughout the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. Nowhere is faith alone a virtue. Faith must have works with it otherwise it is dead. In the very same passage one can find this proof. The entire chapters of Heb 10 and 11 says this:
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Chritian saints who live a life of sin will find no more sacrifice for their sins... God takes no pleasure in such Christians. All of the patriachs of old listed who had faith, they are listed there with their good works, their righteousness and their obedience to God.
Abel was righteous
Enoch pleased God
Noah was righteous and obedient
Abraham was obedient
Righteousness and good works must come if one proclaims to be faithful otherwise it is dead faith.
Therefore faith alone does not please God.