He Is

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Doesn’t this sound like an incomplete statement, “for he that cometh to God must believe that he is”. Must believe that He is…..what? It’s as if I had said, “Hello! My name is” and then I didn’t say anything more.

But that’s just the point. This verse from Hebrews isn’t trying to determine who God is. It is establishing that God, in fact, “is”, that God truly exists.

The word “is”, is the third person singular present form of “be”. And if you look closely at that definition, you’ll discover the God inside of it. “Singular Present”. God is singular, there is none other. God is also always present. There is no height, depth, width, dimension, plain, etc. that God is not in it. God even knows, “the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:21).

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.” (Proverbs 5:21)

But here’s the thing. Man can accept the notion of a supreme being, a deity of infinite time, space, matter, and power. The concept of God is not the problem. Proof of this, that man can conceive of such an entity, of such a deity is to simply read any DC or Marvel comic book. There you will find countless creatures of unlimited powers and wonders.

The reality of God is the problem that man has. That is what the evangelist is saying. If we want to please God, we must believe that God is, that God exists, that God is real.

How interesting man is, that he is able to think of God, but unable to believe in God, even when proved before his very eyes. It’s especially odd when you consider that even the devils believe in the reality of God's existence. (James 2:19).

Why else would we come to God if we did not believe in God? How else could we diligently seek Him if we weren’t convinced that God is the one and only supreme being and that God is always present? We must believe that He is and we must believe that He is capable of rewarding that belief.

Is it a matter of believing in a supreme being or is it a matter concerning His capabilities? Do we believe in a deity but not His powers? This would be inconsistent with believing in Him for God’s word and actions are one in the same. Never does God say and it not be done. Never does God change His mind. God is never wrong, nor does He ever lie. God is His essence and nature and what He does is a result of that. God is singular, not a composite so it is impossible for Him to vary or alter.

Conceptualizing is not the issue. Acceptance is. If you believe in God then you must believe in His capabilities.

Bill Hitchcock