“Have Faith…!”

“Have Faith…!”(Heb.11:1-7).
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” with the rest of creation happening at his words(Gen.1:1ff). The question we do not want to voice openly, but asked by the majority of students of theology is, “Who was present, seeing how God was creating to be able to put it down in writing precisely the way it is narrated?” The question is not a challenge to faith; rather, it is “faith seeking understanding.”
The creation story is part of human and world history, though easily dismissed by historians on the grounds of lack of credible primal source material. But that is exactly what faith is about. “Faith begins where reason ends.” Faith happens when you have gotten to the point where you acknowledge, “I am not skilled to understand…I only know…”
There was no human being present who recorded the story of creation, but “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.”
This is what it means that “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith gives us assurance of our hope. Hope is not only futuristic, since the fulfilment of the future will definitely take us back to where it first began.
The original state of man was to enjoy in the garden of Eden where God was in close communion with humanity. We fell from grace, but Christ in his second coming takes us back to paradise in the same way he told the good thief on the cross,“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise”(Lk.23:43).
Faith is what puts us right with God and this is what the ancients were commened for, so that they become like our role models. In faith Abel made a sacrifice and by faith he was commended as a righteous man.
The faith of Enoch pleased God and he Enoch did not taste death. Indeed, “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.”
My friend, you and I exist because of the faith of Noah. When Noah was warned about things not seen, faith propelled him and “in holy fear” he built the ark that preserved our great, great…great grand ancestors! Noah “became heir of righteousness that comes by faith.”
The rewards of the faith of these ancients serve as yardsticks for us living in a faithless generation. Have faith in Christ Jesus who is with you now till the end of the age and who promises you a place in paradise.
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ my faith looks up to you. By faith I believe you will do what you say you will do. Do it Lord. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.