Faith in the Creator
1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 For by this our ancestors were approved. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)
As mentioned yesterday, this particular chapter of Hebrews is known amongst modern day believers as the “Hall of Faith,” in which the author will use an illustration from the life of an individual of the Old Testament to show how they lived “by faith.” According to verse 1, “faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Mankind uses their main five senses to observe the physical world around them. But for the spiritual world, faith is necessary. As Thomas Lea writes, “Faith shows itself by producing assurance that what we hope for will happen…A person with faith lets these unseen realities from God provide a living, effective power for daily life.”
Then, in verse 2, the author shows that by faith in God, the previous believers in the Old Testament that will be talked about later in the chapter, they were able to experience salvation.
Finally, in verse 3, “by faith,” in order to believe that God created the world takes faith, “so that what is seen [the physical world] was made from things that are not visible [God speaking it into existence in Genesis].” From the Word of God, we believe the account that God created the entire universe, every living creature, every ocean and mountain, and formed man from the dust in six days, resting on the seventh. But to believe this takes faith.
In our world, we have the alternative theory of evolution and the big bang as the creator of everything around us. But this theory too takes faith to believe in, for we do not have a direct eye witness account. Therefore, the question then is, “What will you believe as the origin of the world?”
But if one observes creation and the intricacies within it, one could come to the conclusion that the complex rules and structures of the world could not have been made haphazardly or randomly, but with the guidance of a Creator. Creation testifies of the Creator. As Paul writes in Romans 1:20, “For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.”
Yes, creation speaks of the Creator, being observable by everyone, but it takes faith in order to accept in God or reject Him. There is no excuse. This same faith helped previous believers enjoy God’s presence forever. Faith in God is the anchor that will provide the believer hope and strength to tackle the challenges of the daily life.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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