One of a Kind
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ~Hebrews 11:5
Of the many excellent Bible characters that we have to look up to for a good example, Enoch will most certainly rank as one of the best ones to consider. Enoch was one of two men who never died a natural death, but was taken up to Heaven by the Lord. Enoch was a man who lived by a supreme priority and was rewarded with a special privilege. We want to consider this morning the impact that Enoch had upon his society. We want to see how Enoch typifies being a “one-of-a-kind Christian.”
We see Enoch and his message.
Enoch was a preacher of God’s Word. Jude tells us that Enoch was a fervent preacher of God’s Word. He preached against sin. He preached for souls to be saved. He preached on biblical separation, and he preached about the Second Coming of Christ. He preached with fervency. He preached biblically. He preached at any time of the day when he could get an audience to listen. In a world that was filled with much wickedness, Enoch spent much of it trying to persuade people to repent and get saved. Enoch was a one-of-a-kind man who had a one-of-a-kind message.
We see Enoch and his motive.
The Bible says, “He had this testimony, that he pleased God.” After he had a son born named Methuselah, Enoch walked with God. This means that he made prayer and the Word of God a high priority. Enoch sought to please God in everything that he did. Whatever he did, he performed his duty with the idea that his goal was to please God. Nowadays, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” Enoch lived to please God. Even though his society chose not to, Enoch was a one-of-a-kind Christian.
We see Enoch and his mortality.
Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found. Enoch did not die a natural death. He was “raptured!” The Lord took him up. He pictured what will happen to all believers when Jesus comes to rapture us. He did not experience the sorrow of death. God looked down at this man who was one-of-a-kind and decided that Enoch would be translated. Pleasing God with his life blessed him with this special privilege.
We see Enoch and his mark.
He demonstrated that any believer can live for God even though his society might be anti-God. Enoch did not succumb to peer pressure. He pleased God! Enoch did not compromise or change the message that he preached. He preached unapologetically that ungodly living would be judged. Enoch lived by faith when all others lived for self. He had faith in God’s Word. He had faith in God’s power. He had faith in God’s promises. He left his mark as a man who pleased God.
When you compare yourself to Enoch, how do you measure up? Are you living to please God? Are you a one-of-a-kind Christian in your convictions, your commitment, and in your compassion? Consider Enoch, and be a one-of-a-kind Christian!
Have a God-pleasing God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Hosea 8-14