Noah: The Work of Faith
Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Hebrews eleven is often called, “The Faith Chapter.” Verse seven registers Noah as one of these “Heroes of the Faith.” We all know about Noah’s Ark, but have you ever really thought about what made Noah a man of faith?
Noah was a righteous man. Genesis 6:9 “These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time;…” He was irreproachable among his contemporaries and uncontaminated by the wickedness of his day. Noah lived in an unimaginably degraded culture that was horribly corrupt, yet he was different from the world.
Christians with deep faith in God walk to a different beat. Every Christian should be counter-culture just like Noah was. We can’t participate in everything our culture does and walk with God at the same time!
A second reason that made Noah a person of faith is found in Genesis 6:9 “…Noah walked with God.” This implies moving in the same direction. It does not mean to run ahead or to lag. Noah kept step with God!
Please see this picture of great intimacy. We should walk with God, just as we might walk with our spouse, children, parents, friends, girlfriend or boyfriend. In the same way that we share life with others, may we also long to walk with God.
Third, Noah was obedient. Genesis 6:22 “Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did.” Genesis 7:5 “Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him.” The Bible does not say that Noah did most of what God told him to do, it says he did ALL! Noah being righteous and walking with God led to his being obedient. May all of us, like Noah, be people of faith!
Christ Above All,
Pastor Mark
