The Bible tells us that by faith Noah built the ark to save his family. We also read that what God warned Noah of had never been seen before. These accounts have shown just how extreme the faith Noah had was. In no way could it be said that he had half-hearted faith. As he not only built the ark but scripture says he did all the Lord commanded in building it. Meaning nothing that God said to do was left undone down to the most minute detail. He trusted God so much and truly believed what He said would come to pass. So he worked hard to ensure he would be ready when the rains began to fall.
Hebrews 11:7 (ESV)
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Genesis 6:22 (ESV)
22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Genesis 7:5 (ESV)
5 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.
What’s amazing about this is that he was willing to follow every instruction of the Lord without anything like what he was preparing for ever happing before. He had no example to follow or no way of knowing what the outcome would be. I mean he really had no way of knowing if the boat could save him. Outside of the fact that God said it would.
The sad thing we witness today is that after thousands of years of examples we see many who only serve God half-heartedly. It is evident what God is able to do in one’s life. If they will only fully trust in Him. For instance, the Bible lays out everything we must do to be saved. Repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and receive the Holy Spirit. It’s that simple and we know that the promise will stand true because of all those who came before us. Yet still, half-hearted Christians refuse to do all the Lord has commanded. Choosing to believe that a simple acknowledgment that God exists is enough.
Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Of course, the plan of salvation is not the only area in which many only serve God half-heartedly. Many today only turn to God when they are in trouble or need something. Not praying always as the Bible instructs but simply waiting until a need comes to call out to the Lord. Then they wonder why they feel as though God doesn’t hear them.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
17 pray without ceasing,
Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
For many, the only time they ever think of God during the week is when they are at church. Otherwise, they live their life as though God isn’t there. Of course, the list could continue about the lack of love, kindness, generosity, sharing of the Gospel, study of the word, and so much more. God has called His people to do and live out much in His word but our world is filled with half-hearted Christians unwilling to do it all. Holding to man-made ideas that say God doesn’t expect you to actually live out His word. Or they simply choose not to do certain things because they believe they don’t make sense or seem unnecessary.
Had Noah shared in that mindset would his ark had floated? Would man have survived the great flood had he had half-hearted faith? Only enough to do some of what God had instructed him to do in order to be saved. The simple answer is no because only doing some of what God has said doesn’t result in the full reward. You cant live with half-hearted faith and expect to end up the same as the person who had extreme faith. Had Noah lived out only half-hearted faith his boat never would have risen above the waves to safety.
Christians are called to serve God with their whole hearts. Nowhere in the Bible do we see those counted as saved simply coasting through life only serving God when it is convent or interesting. Those who are counted among the saved are those who keep all God’s commands no matter what. Even if it doesn’t make sense to them all the time. Believing that because God said it there is a greater purpose in it. Don’t believe you have to do everything you read in scripture? Jesus Himself said if you love me keep my commandments. A statement that seems to indicate a lack of living out His word shows a lack of love of Christ.
Matthew 22:37 (ESV)
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
John 14:15 (ESV)
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
The great news is that we are far more blessed than Noah was in His day. As Noah had no idea what was going to take place. Outside of simply believing God, he had no way of knowing if all His hard work would in fact pay off. Praise God that today we are able to look at the amazing things God did in the lives of others, such as Noah, and know without a doubt that His promises hold true. Because He did it for others we know that He can do the same for us if we will only exercise the same faith they did. Placing all our trust in God, doing all He has instructed in His Word and believing all he said will take place.
Hebrews 11:29–30 (ESV)
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
1 Timothy 1:16 (ESV)
16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Don’t try to walk through this life with half-hearted faith. Not fully trusting God or living out His word. By doing so you will never experience the full blessing of living for Him. Instead, you will only receive back the half you put it and won’t see the full majesty of God displayed in your life that men like Noah did. Turn to God’s word study it and apply it in its fullness in your life. Take your faith to the next level by not just knowing what it says or by only doing only some of what is instructed. Move from half-hearted faith to extreme life-saving mountain-moving faith by living out God’s word in its fullness with all your heart.
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