Faith

Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. 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. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Heb 11:1-6 (ESV)

The common, secular, explanation for the existence of the world is that the universe is billions of years old and that all that exists came into existence through natural processes.

Sadly, some in the church have attempted to accommodate this godless outlook by twisting Scripture to allow for the “days” described in Genesis to not be “days” but something other than what the text describes.

In contrast to this secular approach which is borne of disbelief, the Bible calls us to understand, through faith, “that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

Faith is essential to our spiritual lives, for “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Believing God requires a commitment that whatever Scripture says — about baptism, about marriage, or about the creation of the world — is exactly true. We must not find ourselves in the position of second guessing God.

The Lord, in His grace, has provided us all spiritual guidance we need through the work of the apostles and prophets — ultimately providing His complete revelation in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Being a Christian requires an attitude of repentance, placing God’s truth as the guiding principle of our lives. Following the teachings of Scripture, we can be sure of pleasing God and of being the people He wants us to be.

—Gregory Alan Tidwell
Editor, the Gospel Advocate