Great relationships are built over time.

They require commitment and consistency to walk with someone through the highs and lows of life. There’s a dedication to be present in times of celebration, times of hardship, and times of sorrow.

Great relationships are built on sacrifice. They require an investment of our time, talent, and treasure. There’s often a significant cost to placing that relationship as a priority. Missing out on something great is inevitable, but it’s worth it in the end.

Great relationships are built on faith. They require honesty and trust that’s freely given, and displayed whether together or not. Love and devotion bind the individuals together, continually making them stronger.

We were created to have great relationships.

This sets us apart from every other created thing. We were created to be in relationship with each other, but more importantly, to be in relationship with our Creator, the One True Living God.

Unfortunately, our sinful thoughts and behaviours get in the way of great relationships. We ruin them, unknowingly bringing our brokenness into something that was designed to be beautiful. Then we struggle to take control and fix them, which often makes them worse.

Instead, we’d be better off going back to the source of great relationships; back to the One who created them. God designed us to be in relationship with Him and has made a way to restore that relationship. We’d be wise to seek Him, draw near to Him, walk closely with Him, be faithful to Him. We receive far more than we could ever give. Moreover, a restored relationship with God can significantly aid our understanding and ability to restore relationships with each other.

Consider a man by the name of Enoch.

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:5-6 (ESV)

Enoch was a man who had a great relationship with God. He sought after God daily. His faith was displayed in how closely he walked with God throughout his entire life. Then, Enoch’s faith was rewarded in a miraculous way!

To gain the full perspective on Enoch’s life, we need to follow a few footnotes from Hebrews 11:5-6. First, back to Genesis 5:21-27.

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. 25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.

Genesis 5:21-27 (ESV)

Scripture tells us that Enoch “walked with God”.

In Biblical language this speaks to a close relationship with his Creator; closer than the average person. This relationship was so close, that Enoch was taken up to heaven by God before his death.

That being said, at 365 years old, from our perspective he lived a full life. But in comparison to his son, Methuselah’s life at 969 years, Enoch may have had centuries left! But a moot point considering he was now with his Father in heaven, living for eternity!

The bottom line is Enoch had a great relationship with God! And by surveying Enoch’s life and faith, we can gain some insight into how a relationship with God might begin, or perhaps be restored? I’d suggest to you that there are four stages of faith, laid out for us by the author of Hebrews, after highlighting Enoch as a Faith-Hero.

Four Stages of Faith to Begin or Deepen

1. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.

The author of Hebrews states that “without faith, it is impossible to please him”. This is an eternal fact that every human being is faced with, and either accepts or rejects. There are mysteries of God and His will that we will never fully understand while in our earthly form. God and faith are intertwined.

2. In faith, we should draw near to God.

The author then states, “whoever would draw near to God”. How does one draw near to God? Likely in the same ways as our forefathers, in prayer and meditation. Speaking and listening to God. But also, we have the incredible blessing, of the fulfillment of Scripture. Therefore, we also draw near in study and strive to learn everything we can about who God is, and what He has done for us!

3. In faith, we believe that God exists.

The connected thought to drawing near to God is that “whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists”. As was stated earlier, we were created to be in relationship with God. Understand that He loves you and desires a relationship with you. He is waiting for you to come for the first time, or return after a season of rebellion. He’s a good Father who is willing to listen and forgive.

4. Through faith, in our seeking to find Him, we find our reward.

Lastly, the author of Hebrews relays a core truth that “he rewards those who seek him.” In truly seeking God, so much is revealed! As we search the Scriptures, evidence of our Trinitarian God is revealed; that He is Father, Holy Spirit, and then Son, our Saviour and King, Jesus. The Good News (the Gospel) is unveiled, with God’s redemptive plan for humanity to have a restored relationship with Him.

In looking at Enoch’s life, we see that faith is displayed (and rewarded) by seeking God and walking with Him.

• Are you seeking Him today?
• Have you considered His Son, Jesus, sent to make the payment for your sin?
• Sent to remove the barrier of wrong that separates you from Him?

If you don’t know God, if you have never accepted Jesus, faith begins with Him.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

1. How is your faith being displayed in this moment of life?
2. How is your life any different? How is your life pleasing to God?