Noah found favour with the Lord

by | Posted April 19th at 5:06am

 “But Noah found favour with the Lord…Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. (Genesis 6:8-9 NLT)

In Matt 24:37-39, Jesus referred to a similarity of the first outpouring of God’s worldwide judgment upon sinful people in Noah’s day with the forthcoming final judgement at the Lord’s return. People will be going about their daily business, just as they were in Noah’s time (Genesis 7:17–24). Just as the flood caught them unawares (and after it was too late) and swept them away in judgment, so it will be when the Son of Man comes – a time when our consciences ought to be pure and holy (see also 1 Peter 3:20–21). ¹

If the second advent of Christ, is referred to by Jesus as a time when everyone’s thoughts are evil continually, we should consider what allowed one man, Noah to be chosen to be saved in the coming flood. I found the following characterisation of Noah very helpful to understand how Christians all need to prepare for the second coming of Christ. Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord, for one reason: he walked in close fellowship with God.  “But Noah found favour with the Lord…Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. (Genesis 6:8-9 NLT)

Jesus noted that some would not be ready at his second advent because as far as he is concerned some will not be in a close relationship with him when he returns: “I never knew you” will be a fearful statement to hear – however too late! (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus also taught in the parable of the Vine the importance of abiding in Him via His Spirit, because without Him, obedient to His eternal Word, we cannot overcome the wickedness of the world in which we live. (John 15:1-11) The stark  coverse of not having a true relationship with Christ is referred metaphorically here, antithetical to a living abiding union – as dead, useless vines: “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (John 15:6) The similarity echoes a sense of warning of the lake of fire into which the unsaved will end. (Revelation 20:15)

The warning to be found ready to meet the Lord at His second advent on the day of judgement repeats the view of a need of readiness in many places in scripture. (1 Timothy 6:14; Ephesians 5:27; 2 Peter 3:14)

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as Sovereign Lord of your life, nor developed an abiding relationship of love to Him, He is ready willing and able to help develop a discipleship relationship with Him. (Revelation 3:18-20)  

¹ Barton, B., Comfort, P., Osborne, G., Taylor, L. K., & Veerman, D. (2001). Life Application New Testament Commentary (p. 107). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.

Article posted by Glen R. Jackman, founder of GraceProclaimed.org

Glen has optimized his eldership role to teach the full scope of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ without boundaries.
You can read his testimony.