Hebrews 11:4–6
In a city like Lagos, faith is not a strange word.
People speak about it often. You hear it in conversations, in testimonies, in everyday language. “I have faith things will work out.” “Just have faith.” “God will do it.” It is part of how many people cope with uncertainty and hope for a better tomorrow.
But the thing is this: not all faith is the same.
There is a kind of faith that is simply wishful thinking. It is hopeful, but not grounded. It desires a good outcome, but it is not anchored in anything certain. And then there is the kind of faith the Bible speaks about—the kind that not only believes, but also pleases God.
The writer of Hebrews puts it plainly: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him…”
Now, consider that for a moment.
Not difficult. Not challenging. Impossible.
This tells us that faith is not optional in the Christian life. It is essential.
But what kind of faith is this?
The passage gives us a picture through the lives of two men—Abel and Enoch. Their stories are brief, but their significance is deep. Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice. Enoch walked with God in such a way that he pleased Him.
The thing is this: their faith was not just what they believed—it was how they lived.
Faith, in its truest sense, is not merely agreement with truth. It is response to truth.
Abel believed God, and that belief shaped what he offered.
Enoch believed God, and that belief shaped how he walked.
And that is where faith becomes real.
Because it is possible to say you believe, yet live as though God does not exist. It is possible to speak about faith, yet make decisions that are driven entirely by fear, pressure, or convenience.
But the kind of faith that pleases God is different.
It is a faith that trusts Him enough to obey Him.
Now, this is where it becomes practical.
In a place like Lagos, faith is constantly tested—not in dramatic moments, but in everyday decisions.
- When integrity costs you an opportunity
- When patience delays your progress
- When doing the right thing seems to put you at a disadvantage
In those moments, faith is no longer a statement—it becomes a choice.
The thing is this: faith that pleases God does not always make life easier, but it always makes life meaningful.
It aligns you with God’s will, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Hebrews goes further to explain that anyone who comes to God must believe two things: that He exists, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
This is important.
Faith begins with recognition—God is real.
But it grows into expectation—God responds.
Not always in the way we imagine, and not always in the timing we prefer, but always in accordance with His wisdom.
And so faith becomes a way of life.
It shapes how you think.
It shapes how you decide.
It shapes how you endure.
It teaches you to trust God beyond what you can see.
That is why faith is not passive. It is active. It moves. It responds. It obeys.
Abel did not just believe—he offered.
Enoch did not just believe—he walked.
And in both cases, God was pleased.
Now, bring that into your own life.
Faith is not proven by what you say in a moment of inspiration. It is revealed in what you do when life becomes difficult.
When the pressure rises, what guides your decisions?
When the path is unclear, what directs your steps?
When the outcome is uncertain, what sustains your confidence?
The answer to those questions reveals the nature of your faith.
And here is the encouragement: faith is not something you manufacture. It is something you grow in.
As you continue to trust God—sometimes in small ways, sometimes in difficult ways—your faith deepens. It becomes more stable. It becomes more consistent.
And over time, your life begins to reflect what you believe.
In a city that often rewards visibility, faith reminds us that what matters most is not always seen.
It is possible to appear successful and yet be disconnected from God.
It is also possible to walk quietly with Him and be deeply aligned with His purpose.
The kind of faith that pleases God is not loud, but it is steady. It is not always dramatic, but it is real.
And when a life is built on that kind of faith, something lasting is formed.
So the question is not simply, “Do I have faith?”
The question is, “Is my faith shaping how I live?”
Because that is the faith that matters.
Prayer
Lord, help me to walk by faith in a way that pleases You. Teach me to trust You not just in words, but in my daily decisions and actions. Strengthen my faith and guide my steps. Amen.
- Adapted from Faith, Hope, and Love (Volume 5), part of the 12-volume Sermon Notes Series by Rev. Dr. Kayode Ilupeju, now on sale. Contact us for copies or order directly from Amazon.
