"By Faith We Understand"

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (Hebrews 11:3 ESV)

Christianity is about faith. It is not just a belief in something unseen but a deep trust and reliance on God. Our faith in God allows us to exist outside of this evil world. It is our faith that comes by way of Christ’s grace from which we can find salvation. Our faith in the cross gives us assurance of eternal life. Without this kind of faith, we are nothing but condemned souls.

In the secular world, everything MUST be explained or deposited in the rubbish bin. If I ever taught a class on world religions, it would be easy because there are only two—true Christianity (salvation through Christ alone) and everything else. Every so-called other religion is based on works, that is, what you do to contribute to your salvation—a falsehood and source of guilt found in all of them.

Skeptics often focus on the creation model in an attempt to discredit Christianity. They will use geology and the age of soil samples and other material items to attempt to show that he earth is older than what creation dictates. Let me ask you: was Adam a baby when God created him? If you do not know, the answer is no. He was a man. A walking, talking, eating, and sleeping man, as was Eve, his eventual mate and wife. The fact is there are plenty of documented, tangible, scientific things that point to occurrences in the Bible showing that they exist or existed. The great flood is one, and the crucifixion earthquake is another, to name two. Not to mention the writings and evidence of people, places, and buildings all found in the Bible. Tracing the steps of Jesus in Israel and the surrounding countries, you can find everything about Jesus.

I recently watched a series called “Drive Through History: The Gospels.” It was an engaging and informative journey through the historical and cultural context of the gospels. The host, Dave Stotts, was perfect in his presentation of the gospels. I highly recommend this series to everyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the Bible.

The writer of Hebrews is essentially saying that without faith, the creation model, as described in Genesis, is just another writing of God that is folly to those who are not saved. This creation model is not just a story but the foundation of our faith. It makes sense, does it not? But then again, I know those who say they are Christians who do not believe the word of God is inerrant. That does not make sense, does it?

Here is what those who deny Genesis 1 and 2 are missing. Without Genesis 1 and 2, we lose everything that makes us human, everything. We lose God. We lose the basis for right and wrong, given that God is the model of all that is right. We lose the covenant of marriage. Not a courthouse union, hetero or homosexual, but a man and a woman in a covenantal marriage before God. We lose the concept of a family. We lose life's meaning, our glorification, and the worship of our Creator. We lose the idea of free will, as limited as it is. The most significant loss is our salvation. This list is not all-encompassing, just the tip of the iceberg, as it were.

Without Genesis 1 and 2, the verse the writer of Hebrews gives us makes no sense. It has no basis in our lives. It does not affect our worldview. This verse, and really, the entire Bible, becomes a drugstore paperback novel meant to entertain and then quickly be forgotten. It is no longer the Word of God from which we learn what God expects of us, how we are to see God, how to treat each other, how we are to understand our sinful nature, and how faith in Christ overcomes the failure of Adam.

This terrestrial ball we live on and everything in creation was created from nothing in 6 days. It is a miracle that fills us with awe and wonder. Nothing existed, and then it did, all through the overabundance of God's love. Only God could accomplish such a feat, and we are privileged to be part of His creation. One God, one in person, three in being, eternally existing, eternally righteous, eternally merciful, and eternally just. Amen

Do you know this God, the one true living God? Seek Jesus Christ; through faith in Him alone can you be rejoined to God the Father and receive eternal life as a free gift.

Grace and Peace!