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OBEDIENT FAITH

Real faith demonstrates itself by actions. It needs to demonstrate itself in daily activity. Noah proved his faith by his obedience. See Genesis 6:9. Noah was a righteous man and he expressed his faith by his works. Noah spent 120 years of his life preparing for the flood. Jesus authenticated what Noah did. See Matthew. 24:37-39. There are three reasons why Noah's faith was genuine.

1. He responded to the Word of God

The historical record is in Genesis 6:13ff. Noah heard a word from the Lord and stopped everything he was doing. He did not question or complain. Noah had not seen a thing yet. He had never seen a flood. In fact he had never seen any rain. Have you ever heard of a flood without any rain? He was warned of things not seen. Noah saw these things by faith.

Noah had to do a lot of the work himself. For at least 20-50 years he worked all alone until his sons grew up. He had to work for 120 years. He spent that time building and warning others. The weather forecast was for no rain. Noah had all that he needed. It was going to rain because God said it would. God had spoken so we had better move! Do you have an awe over what God has said to you? The Ark is a strong type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. He rebuked sin

He condemned the world by his faith. He called Noah to preach. See 2 Peter 2:5. The preaching against sin was harder than building the Ark! God gave the people 120 years. Noah had to preach all that time. In all that time nobody came to the Lord. In doing this he condemned the world.

We want to be popular so we don't tell people about Jesus. Noah was not popular because he rebuked sin. Everyone was doing it - except Noah. The world will call you a fool. People (and the Devil) will tell you that everyone is doing it. Real faith does not care what everyone else is doing. Not everyone is doing it. God always has a remnant who are faithful to him. Noah condemned the world just by living for God.

3. He revealed his salvation

Noah's righteous life proved his salvation but his salvation came as a result of his faith. See Romans 3:22-23. The day we put our faith in Jesus Christ is the day we are declared righteous. You are not perfect but God sees you through red-tinted glasses. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that allows God to see us differently and forgive our sins.

We can prove our faith to God and others by our obedience to these three things - just like Noah.