Faith Capsule: If faith is what pleases God lack of faith is what displeases God.
Genesis 38:1-10, Romans 6
It is written, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrew 11:6) Evidently, faith is what pleases God. If faith is what pleases God lack of faith is what displeases God. Demonstrating lack of faith is doing against God’s command. When Judah’s firstborn was killed by God because of his wickedness (Genesis 38:7) his brother Onan should have married the widow of Er according to the law. Deuteronomy 25:5 stated the Law, “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.” Onan knew what the law commanded but Onan abandon the command. He did not want to go by what the law commanded.
Judah responded to Onan in Genesis 38:8-9, “…Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.” But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother.” Judah played the role of father by asking Onan to do what was right. Clearly, as it is written above in the verse above, Onan had his own agenda not go by the law. Every Word and command requires a full response yesterday, today and forever. God does not compromise is word.
Onan knew what was right, but failed, by not doing the right thing. The bible testified, “And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also.” (Genesis 38:10) Onan died because his action displeased God. Displeasing God is to know what to do in the Word and not do it. God has not changed or lowered the standard of His Word. Having an agenda to compromise the Word of God is a life threatening issue. God is a merciful God and He is also gracious however, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2) The command of God remains the same and that is, it cannot, and should not be violated. Displeasing God in anyway can take life.
Prayer for today: Ask for mercy not to take a conscious or unconscious step to displease God in all your going and coming.