This blog is based on a message by Pastor Todd Cosenza.
Faith as a way of life, not a tool for emergencies
In Hebrews 11:5, Enoch is said to be one who pleased God. After the birth of his son, Genesis 5 says that Enoch walked faithfully with God for 300 years without stopping. Faith is not something you pull out of a toolbox only when life breaks. It is how God’s people are meant to live—moment by moment, decision by decision, day by day (Hebrews 10:38–39). Faith breathes in God’s presence and breathes out trust. It is the daily posture that pleases God.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Key truth: Faith pleases God. You can be kind, serve, and work hard—but when it is done apart from faith, it does not bring the same delight to God’s heart. Trust is the language that communicates love back to him.
Three reasons living by faith matters
1. God may warn you of what’s coming (so you can be spared)
Hebrews 11:7 points to Noah to show how faith responds to warnings. Noah, warned about things not yet seen (a flood), built an ark and saved his family.
God still warns us today—sometimes clearly—so that we might avoid harm. He will not force us, but he will clarify the way. That clarity becomes a choice: obey and be blessed, or ignore and suffer the consequences. Living by faith requires trusting God, even in his warnings.
2. God will stretch you into the unknown
In Hebrews 11:8-10, Abraham obeyed when God told him to leave for a place he did not know. Walking in faith sometimes means moving without seeing the full picture. That is intentional—God doesn’t always show the whole plan because we would try to control it or miss the growth he intends.
Practical note from life: sometimes faith looks like “doing nothing” when every instinct says act. There are seasons when resting in God and obeying his single next word requires more courage than constant doing. Trusting his timing and taking the steps he gives are part of a faithful life.
3. God often wants to bless you far beyond your small request
In Hebrews 11:11-12, Sarah and Abraham asked for a child so they would have an heir. God promised them descendants like the stars instead—far bigger than their initial request—and through them a blessing that would impact nations. Living by faith expands your vision: God wants to do something through you, not just for you.
Don’t settle for a small blessing for yourself when God is offering a greater blessing that flows through you to others.
How to begin living by faith
- Start small. Faith often begins as tiny as a mustard seed. Take one small step of trust this week—ask God for help, obey a quiet conviction, or give when it’s risky.
- Obey warnings. If God gives you an inner clarity or conviction to avoid something, treat it like a safeguard. He warns so you won’t be hurt or swept away.
- Move when he calls. Like Abraham, you may not see the destination. Put one foot in front of the other and allow God to lead as you go.
- Accept stretches. When God asks you into the unknown, see it as growth rather than punishment. He’s shaping faith muscles.
- Be open to a bigger blessing. Pray with an expectant heart for God’s greater purpose through your life, not only relief from your current struggle.
- Learn to rest. Sometimes faith looks like patient waiting—doing nothing because God told you to wait is an act of trust.
Practical examples from Scripture
- Enoch: a life that pleased God and was translated because he walked by faith (Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 5).
- Noah: building an ark for a flood he had never seen—warning met with action (Hebrews 11:7).
- Abraham and Sarah: leaving home without destination and receiving far more than they asked for (Hebrews 11:8–12).
Takeaway
Living by faith is a daily decision. Faith pleases God, and it positions you to receive warnings, navigate the unknown, and be part of something much larger than your current request. Begin where you are—take a small step of faith today and watch how God grows it.
Application questions
- Where have I been treating faith like a tool to pull out only in emergencies?
- Has God ever warned me about something I ignored? What happened, and what would obedience look like now?
- What’s one small step of faith I can take this week?
- Is there a situation where I need to “do nothing” and trust God’s timing? How can I practice resting in him?
- Am I praying for blessings only for myself, or for God to use me to bless others as well?
