Have you ever met a man who’s just a good guy? The guy who let you use his car when you didn’t have one, maybe gave you money when you needed some, or even helped you move! If you ask most men if they’re a good guy, many may say yes. While being a good guy to your friends is important, what do we think God would say? If we could dial God up today on His holy hot line 1-800-7heaven and ask Lord, am I a good son to You? Are You happy You created me? Or, Lord, are You disappointed? What would God say? And by what standard is He proud or disappointed in us? In my case, I hope that He grades on a curve, a Big one! As we consider this as men, what examples do we have of other men in the Bible that pleased God and ended well and why?
First, consider that in order to be without sin or blameless in God’s eyes, we must be righteous—yes, righteous! How do we become righteous? By having no sin! So, already, we know we’re in trouble. This is why we have a savior in Jesus. Consider this: The Ten Commandments are not just 10; they were 613 laws or righteous requirements for holiness. So, even if you consider yourself a good guy, guess what the Word says––we’re not.
Romans 3:10,11
“There is no one righteous, not even one; There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.”
All men have broken the law; we’ve all fallen short. (“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23) So why would an excellent, loving God be so harsh and make it impossible for us to please Him unless we check the no-sin list? And if we have some checklist to earn our way to heaven, what does that produce in us? The law or the 613 commandments were not a performance manual; they were the guidelines for entering heaven. The Commandments did two things: they prove all men are sinners and contrast how holy God is. The Bible is clear that only one man is holy, and that man is Jesus. He was both God and man (“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2).
Furthermore, it’s important to understand that access to the Father is only possible through faith in Jesus rather than trying to keep the Commandments on our own to enter His presence. Abraham is an excellent example of how faith pleases God. (“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Romans 5:1,2)
Abraham didn’t set out with a Checklist! His faith in God as a good Father was why he did the works of God, and the works produced blessings! Unfortunately, all too often we as men swap faith with works! We base our work on the belief that if I accomplish these five tasks today, I will bring happiness to God. “I think if I avoid lying, getting angry, swearing, and so on, things might turn out better.”
Romans 4:13-16
“It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.”
We may think that doing certain things may get us an A or B grade! But guess what? Nothing but the Blood of Christ can give you an A grade! God, through His son Jesus, did the work for us! Only by what He did can we have a relationship and please Him. No man, not even a seemly good man, can earn entry to heaven. Why! Because only God has the power and grace to transform a sinner into a saint! (“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30) So, what can we learn from Abraham and the blessings given to him?
First, Abraham believed God. When God told Abraham to put his only son on the altar, Abraham trusted God with his son’s life! It wasn’t the act of the altar that blessed Abraham; it was the faith to do God’s will that blessed Abraham. Without faith, works are dead! (“So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Galatians 3:6-9) Like Abraham, we first must trust God, and through that trust, we will desire to do God’s will, which is the very works of God!
The 613 commandments illustrate how incomplete we are and how far we fall short of God’s holy nature. Consider Abraham’s journey. His faith not only pleased the Father but also created in him the desire to trust and obey! His obedience resulted in a fruitful life! Faith in God means trust and honor, which brings blessings. When faith and works combine, we glorify God and receive His blessings. As men, how can we please God like Abraham did? Do we set out to do God’s works? No, we set out to have a relationship with God through His Word and salvation. As we lean into the relationship and learn His will, like Abraham, God will guide our steps, and we will have to walk them out in faith!
So, which is more important, faith or works? Faith! Without faith, we can’t please God! (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. Hebrews 11:6)
Hope you have a great weekend.
Stephen L. Thomas