The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1983 Hebrews kc 19-4

The test of one's belief and true love for God lies in his or her actions, not just words.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
God "translated" Enoch, i.e. lifted him up from the earth that he should not see death,
because he earned that just reward in demonstrating his tremendous faith as a servant of God.

And although we are not given all the details of His walk with God,
his testimony is written ("he had this testimony") and what he did,
which became his testimony, PLEASED our Father greatly.

Yes, the test of one's belief and true love for God lies in his or her actions, not just words.

For example, you can tell your spouse that you love her or him,
but if you never do anything that pleases the one you claim to love,
then your words become vain, which means they are empty and void of meaning.

The witness of Enoch's reward is so relative to these last days
in that it reminds us of the promise spoken through Paul in 1 Cor. 15:51-53,
that we who endure unto the end shall not all "sleep",
but shall be changed in the moment and in twinkling of an eye into our spiritual bodies
and be given a crown of life (immortality).

Paul then says in conclusion to that great chapter: 1 Cor. 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Indeed, your faith is not in vain for "He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him".

[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.
Many claim they believe in God, that He exists,
but they do not believe Him, as in believe His Word because they do not know it.

In fact, many Christians rarely even open the cover to His Word
much less do any plowing or digging.

It is for that very reason that it can be truly said (Isa. 29:13-17) they do not know Him,
as in who He really is, for though they say Lord, Lord, they do not "diligently seek Him" as Paul states above.

You "see", for one who has been a Christian for some length of time
to claim that he or she knows Jesus Christ, the "living" Word of God,
but does not know the "written" Word of God, is itself "testimony" that he or she has forsaken Him.

That's right!

It doesn't matter how many times you go to church
or how much money you give to this charity or that one,
if you ignore the Word of God, you ignore Jesus Christ.

Is it any wonder that He will say the following to those many Christians who try to cash in their goodly deeds, having diligently followed the traditional things their preachers and pastors told them to do instead of diligently seeking the Word of God:

Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Again, why will they not receive the rewards of His promises?

They have no faith because they do not diligently (sincerely) seek after Him
to hear His voice and do His will.

Remember we quoted Luke 6:47 earlier?

"Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them,
I will shew you to whom he is like."

Here is what Christ said just prior to "depart from me, ye that work iniquity":

Matthew 7:21-22 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


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