Faith always obeys
It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7 NLT
When God assessed the world during the time of Noah, it pointed to the fact that it was very dark for people are living in sin. “The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil” (Genesis 6:5). Humans are tainted with sinfulness. “Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt” (Genesis 6:11-12). Noah was the only person who found favor in the sight of God because of his faith. “But Noah found favor with the Lord…and he walked in close fellowship with God” (Genesis 6:8-9). By faith, Noah took God’s warning at heart. Though he had not seen flood, not even a rainstorm for there was drought during his time, Noah believed that the Lord will judge the world. His faith made him realize that God’s Word should be trusted. This was something that he did and not struggle with for Noah, as the writer of Hebrews described him, “walked in close fellowship with God” (Genesis 6:9). He believed God and his faith was seen by his family that they too placed their trust in God. For him, the promise of salvation is certain. The certainty he had shown made him a great example of faith. Faith is trusting God believing that what He had said will be fulfilled. Noah’s faith led to his obedience. God instructed him to build an ark. He followed God’s blueprint. “So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him” (Genesis 6:22). Because of his faith, Noah obeyed God. Just like those who trusted God by faith, Noah “received the righteousness that comes by faith.” True righteousness comes from God through the preaching of the gospel. It is His gift to those who place their faith in Him and not on their works. “‘This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life’” (Romans 1:17). “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22). Our self-generated righteousness will never be enough to save us. “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith” (Philippians 3:8-9). The Lord Jesus Christ used the story of Noah to warn people to be ready for His return. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 24:37-39). We can only be made right with God by believing that He died for our sin, repent of our sin, and trust Him that He alone could save us.
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
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