Faith Walks with God
By Faith- 4
TEXT: Hebrews 11:5-6
THESIS: Enoch's life exemplifies unwavering faith and dedication to God, serving as a powerful model for believers to navigate moral decay through a personal relationship with God, active trust in His promises, and the courageous proclamation of truth.
TRUTH: Faith holds profound significance in the narrative of Hebrews 11, serving as a cornerstone for understanding the lives of those who have come before us. Among these exemplars of faith, Enoch stands out as a unique figure whose life provides a remarkable model for contemporary believers. His unwavering relationship with God demonstrates not only the power of faith but also illustrates what it means to walk closely with the Creator. Just as a child might grasp a parent’s hand, finding safety and guidance in their presence, Enoch’s journey reflects an intimate connection with God that transforms and shapes his identity and purpose. As we delve into Enoch’s story, we are invited to explore how his life can inspire us to cultivate a deeper, life-changing relationship with God in our own circumstances today. This exploration will highlight the legacy of faith that continues to impact believers across generations, reminding us that our own walks of faith can be equally transformative.
I. Enoch's Extraordinary Example (Hebrews 11:5)
Explanation: Enoch stands out as an exemplary character in the Bible, particularly noted in Genesis 5:21-24, where he is described as the seventh generation from Adam. His name, which means "dedicated," reflects a strong commitment to God and a sense of divine purpose in his life. The days were not easy. During the time of Enoch, the world was characterized by a significant moral and spiritual decline. He lived in an increasingly corrupt age, following the early generations after Creation. According to the biblical narrative in Genesis, the lineage from Adam to Enoch was marked by escalating sinfulness and a growing divergence from God’s intended order.
The society was marked by violence, immorality, and a general turning away from God. Genesis 6:5 notes that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth,” indicating a pervasive disregard for righteousness and ethical behavior. This atmosphere of sin created a stark contrast to Enoch’s walk with God, positioning him as a beacon of faith amidst a wayward generation. Moreover, the population was growing, and with it came the spread of various ideologies and practices that deviated from God’s commands. Despite witnessing the corruption surrounding him, Enoch, by the grace of God, lived a life dedicated to God, maintaining an intimate relationship with the Creator. His faith and dedication stand in sharp relief against the backdrop of a society that largely ignored divine guidance and pursued ungodliness.
Enoch’s unwavering faith, therefore, serves not only as a personal commitment to God but also as a poignant reminder of the potential to walk in righteousness even when surrounded by moral decay. His life is a powerful testimony of how one can navigate challenging times through faith and obedience.
So what does it mean to “walk with God”? The author of Hebrews helps answer this question.
1. It means that you “must believe God is.” Absolutely, man cannot please God apart from faith. Religion does not please God because it is essentially a system developed by Satan to counteract the truth. Nationality and heritage do not please God. The Jews thought they pleased God just because they were descendants of Abraham. But they were not pleasing to God “because by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight” (Rom. 3:20). So, the first step of faith is to “believe that He is.” Enoch believed that the one true God exists. Believing that the true God exists is what is pleasing to Him—the God of the Bible.
Science cannot prove the existence of God, but it provides overwhelming evidence of a master designer who created everything "out of nothing." Despite claims to the contrary, every person is endowed by their creator with a sense of God-consciousness. The fact that some individuals do not believe does not negate this truth; rather, it means they choose to "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" for the pleasures of this present world. Nevertheless, despite all the natural, scientific, and rational evidence, belief in God ultimately remains a matter of faith.
2. It means that you believe “He is the rewarder of those who seek Him.” This speaks to the character of God. It is not enough to believe that God exists; He must be a moral and just God who rewards faith. We must recognize God’s personal nature as loving, gracious, and merciful. Einstein said, “Certainly there is a God. Any man who doesn’t believe in a cosmic force is a fool, but we could never know Him.”[1] Brilliant as he was, Einstein was wrong. We can know God. In fact, to please Him, we must believe that He is personal and knowable to those who come to Him by faith. It is not a mere belief that the God of the Bible exists; even the Jews believed this. It’s about trust and commitment. To seek God is to remember that God has first sought you.
Believing that God exists, MacArthur has written, is the first step toward faith. Believing that He rewards those who trust in Him is the first step of faith. Trusting fully in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is only the beginning of a faithful life. To continue pleasing God, we must fellowship with Him in daily communion. This is the meaning behind the term “walk.”
3. It means you “must proclaim truth.” We learn this about Enoch from Jude 14-15. We have no idea how effective he was, but he was inspired and wanted to give the Lord faithful service. He did what God required of Him and left the results up to God. Jude’s report of Enoch’s preaching further supports the notion that he did not minister in an easy time. False teachers and false teaching surrounded him. We do not know whether he even had fellowship with other believers, but we do know he lived among a host of unbelievers. Of course, he faced opposition. He battled against his own generation in the same way Noah battled in his. He let them know they were ungodly and God was coming to judge them.
A.W. Pink, in summary, states it well, “To walk with God imports a life surrendered to God, a life controlled by God, a life lived for God.”[2] This faith enabled Enoch to grasp the promises and trust the character of God amid moral decay, thereby rising above.
II. Enoch’s Exceptional End (Hebrews 11:5)
Explanation: After three hundred years of believing and walking with God, Enoch was caught up into the presence of God. God just took him up without experiencing death. He pleased God so much that God reached down and lifted him to heaven. One moment here, the next there.
Enoch’s exceptional end, as highlighted in Hebrews 11:5, reveals a profound divine distinction granted to him through his extraordinary faith. The phrase “not found” underscores God’s unique favor upon Enoch, illustrating how his life was marked by righteousness in an era characterized by widespread unrighteousness. This commendation serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith, especially in challenging times. Moreover, Enoch’s translation into eternity foreshadows the eternal life promised to believers. It is also a beautiful picture of believers who will be taken up directly to heaven when our Lord returns for His bride, the church.
In Hebrews 11:6, Enoch’s strong faith shows just how important faith is in our connection with God. The verse says, “without faith, it is impossible to please God,” underscoring that faith is essential for receiving God’s approval. Without it, our efforts to connect with God won’t be meaningful. The passage also promises that those who earnestly seek God will find His presence as a reward. This idea connects well with the story in Genesis 5, where Enoch stands out as a shining example of faithfulness in a misguided time. His example encourages us to develop the same kind of unwavering faith in our own journeys.
Take-Away:
1. Cultivate a Personal Relationship with God. Prioritize daily communion with God through prayer, Scripture study, and listening to His voice. Like Enoch, we too should strive to deepen our relationship with Him amidst a culture that often pulls us away.
2. Exercise Faith in God’s Promises and Character. Reflect on the importance of believing that God not only exists but also rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Place your faith in God’s character and promises.
3. Proclaim the Truth Boldly. Speak truth and stand firm in the faith, despite social pressures and opposition. Share biblical truth with love and courage.
4. Live as a Beacon of Faith. Live righteously and embody the teachings of the Bible. Just as Enoch stood apart from his contemporaries, believers are called to live with moral and spiritual integrity.
5. Trust Completely in God’s Sovereignty. Trust in God’s plans and timing, recognizing that faithfulness, like Enoch’s, may not always yield immediate results. Remember, God is in total control.
John Stott wrote, “For the Christian devotion to God is more than the regular act of religious worship or the occasional presentation of some sacrificial gift. All life belongs to God, and our righteousness has to extend to the whole of life. Those who possess true faith walk with God day after day.”[3] Enoch, indeed, may be seen as a sort of prototype (together with Elijah at a later period) of the men and women of faith who will be living at the moment of Christ’s return—an occasion of surpassing glory—and who, too, will be caught up to be with Christ without passing through the experience of death (see 1 Thess. 4:15–17).[4]
This can be seen in the repeated phrase “taken”, “took him”, and “taken up”, which points to the reality of Christ’s second coming. Christ will return in glory, and the saints will be “caught up” to meet Him in the air.
There are at least two final things this passage teaches us.
1. That there is a future state of existence, both for souls and bodies.
2. That those who have pleased God in this world shall assuredly dwell with God in the world to come.[5]
Are you walking with God like a trusting child? Or are you rebellious, hell-bent on doing things your own way, going your own way? We all know the potential dangers that lurk waiting for a runaway child. Come back to the Father, take His hand, and walk in His steps.
[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Commentary: Hebrews (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1983), 309.
[2] Arthur W. Pink, An Exposition of Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1954), 173.
[3] John Stott, The Message of Hebrews (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1982), 200.
[4] Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977), 458–459.
[5] Charles Simeon, Horae Homileticae: 2 Timothy to Hebrews, vol. 19 (London: Holdsworth and Ball, 1833), 380.
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