Without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (AMP)

 

The Cross is the perfect testimony of God's immense capacity for love and forgiveness.

Being forgiven of our sin and set right with God is most empowering and liberating since we are no longer under judgement but are fully accepted and adopted in the Beloved. Thus, if we ever attempt to earn God’s favour or achieve holiness through our own efforts, we have not truly grasped the gospel and have devalued God's grace and goodness.

It is through Christ’s gracious act of reconciliation that we are brought near to God. Closeness is a gift from God, but intimacy is a choice. So, what we do with what God has given us has eternal consequences. After all, intimacy lies at the heart of discipleship. As we open our hearts to know God as He desires to be known, we will encounter many divine opportunities to serve and please Him freely and fearlessly.

This intimacy of faith transforms obeying and carrying out God's purpose into a blessing rather than a burden. As a result, we emerge stronger and more empowered than ever before, instead of remaining selfish and self-serving. Like those men and women of faith described in Hebrews 11, we will do well thrive in the face of hardship and succeed against all obstacles.