Make a Path to God

Hebrews 11:6 says, '' But without faith (it is) impossible to please (Him); for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and (that) He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.''

This had always been a puzzling verse to me, in that it it seemed almost nonsensical that anyone would come to God, if he didn't believe that God existed? Obviously a person would have to believe in the existence of God or he would never approach Him. The seeming contradiction is cleared up in examining the original text.

WITHOUT FAITH - is literally ''apart from'' faith. Though there are many definitions for ''faith'', and certainly all of them have some basis, the word basically means:

(1) the recognition and acceptance of something as truth, and

(2) the corresponding acting as though it is true.(behavior).

IMPOSSIBLE - this word generally, means ''impossible'' when referring to things, but means ''powerless'', when referring to people.

TO PLEASE - this is actually a technical term that was used:

(1) first, of commendation to those that gave pleasure to the one commending them, and

(2) secondly, it was almost recognized as a title to those who proved themselves of use to the commonwealth. The other important fact is that the Greek conveys the meaning, ''at all'' or ''for all time''.

Simply stated, we always have power for all time:

(1) to give pleasure to God, our Father, and

(2) to be of significant use to the kingdom of God, when we accept what He has said is true and we act that way, as though it were true, in our daily lives.

HE THAT COMES - there are over 39 different words or word compounds in the Greek, that convey some aspect of the meaning ''to come''. The Holy Spirit chose to use this specific word which means ''to come as a worshipper '' to God. Therefore, this scripture is not talking about ''sinners'', but those that already know God.

HE IS - there are two different Greek words, both translated in the English text,(KJV) as ''He is''. Both of these words amplify the word ''rewarder''. The first use of ''He is '' means '' to exist as'', while the second use of ""He is"" means ''to become'' habitually.

REWARDER - is literally ''one who pays back wages'' for service rendered.

MUST BELIEVE - the sense of the Greek is '' once for all''.

In other words, this portion of the verse is a reflection of what we believe about the very nature and character of God. When we come to God, as worshippers, we must ONCE FOR ALL believe, that God, our Father, EXISTS as a rewarder, and that HE WILL BECOME a rewarder , habitually, to us who diligently seek Him. [It is crucial that we see God, our Father, as He really is, a good God, wanting only His best for us].

DILIGENTLY SEEK - this is one word in the Greek, that conveys a powerful word picture. The KJV added the word diligently to convey the intensity of the imagery. The word is used in classical literature, of scientific investigation, that does not rest until it obtains the answer that it is looking for. It is used of ''demanding satisfaction''. We could perhaps use the phrase ''to not leave any stone unturned'', to obtain the desired answer. This is not a one time event, but an attitude of relentless pursuit, until we are satisfied.

WEAR A PATH

The other powerful imagery of this word, is the Hebrew translation of the Greek word as used in the Septuagint(LXX). The Hebrew word used, for the Greek, in the OT, means to walk to a certain place so often that you literally ''wear a path''. This is persistence that never gives up, but continues to pursue relationship with the Father.

Wear a path to God and never give up on THE ONE who will habitually become whatever you need Him to be in your life to fulfill His plan and purpose for you.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours