How to Strengthen Your FaithSample

More Than Belief

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3 NIV

Faith is trust based on evidence that leads to obedience. We trust that God formed the universe based on the evidence of science, Scripture, and philosophy, and that inspires us to live in obedience to our Creator. 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 NIV 

Up until the last 100 years or so, the dominant scientific theory was that the universe was eternal. As science continued to advance, more and more evidence was discovered supporting the claim that the Bible has been making for 3,000 years, that the universe began to exist. And there’s a famous argument that philosophers have put forth and defended that ties all of this together. It’s known as the Kalam Cosmological Argument. Here it is:

1. If something begins to exist, it must have a cause for its existence. 

2. The universe began to exist. (It had a beginning.)

3. Therefore, the universe has a cause for its existence. 

As Christians, we trust the cause of the universe’s existence is God, based on the evidence we find in science, philosophy, and the Scriptures. And this trust inspires us to live in obedience to our Creator.

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews 11:4 NIV

Why was Abel’s offering “better” than Cain’s? Because Abel had faith. Cain’s offering was given to get something from God. Abel’s offering was given as a gift to God. Cain believed God was real, but He didn’t trust that God was good. So Cain tried to manipulate God as if He were some kind of cosmic vending machine. But that’s not who God is. He’s not some divine being we give to so He will bless us. God is our loving Creator who wants a relationship with us. We don’t give to Him out of obligation or as manipulation, we give to God out of gratitude and as an act of love. 

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:5-6 NIV

Faith is not less than believing God is real, but it’s definitely more than that. Faith is trusting that God is real, that He cares, He wants a relationship with you, and He has a purpose for you. Abel and Enoch both understood this, and their lives were pleasing to God. They trusted Him as their loving Creator who doesn’t demand things from us, but desires relationship with us. The beautiful thing that Genesis 1 and 2 highlight about God’s creation of people is that we were made to partner with God as His images in the world. To continue creating like our Creator. This stands in stark contrast to other ancient creation stories. In these other stories, the gods, at war amongst themselves, made slaves (humankind) to work for them so they didn’t have to anymore. But the God who introduces Himself to us in Genesis is a God who worked hard to craft a world that was wild and beautiful and conducive to life and then chose to breathe His divine breath into dust and make us: image-bearers. Partners, not slaves, who could choose to continue to cultivate creation or not. Abel and Enoch were people who trusted God as Creator, chose to partner with Him, and lived purposeful, pleasing lives as a result. 

Challenge: Reflect on your relationship with God. Do you really see God as someone you can have a relationship with?