Yesterday, Coach Rick Pitino was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame and finished up the day with a NCAA Championship trophy in his hands. I also read an article yesterday about my friend from college, being inducted into the Bluffton College Hall of Fame. Although those are commendable accolades, there is a greater hall of fame into which anyone can be instated–no skills required–only great faith!
Hebrews 11 is a chapter that lists many people of great faith–names most recognize like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Samson, and David. But do you know who is at the head of the list? Verse 3 starts the list this way, “By faith ‘WE’.” Those who believe the following words, are in God’s Hall of Fame for faith:
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
What we believe about the creation of the world is foundational to faith!
In creation God–by His Word–took what was invisible and made it visible. In Christ, the Word of God (John 1:1-3, 14), the invisible attributes of God became visible (Colossians 1:15-17).
Starting at creation, the hope of mankind rested on God’s promise of sending a Savior. Those who believed by faith, fixed their eyes on the promise. Since Jesus came into the world, our hope rests on Jesus’ return or our going to Him. Our eyes are fixed on the promise, and we walk by faith! Everything, including the creation of the world, points to Jesus Christ as Savior of all mankind.
What we believe about creation is imperative to faith. If we don’t believe God is mighty enough to create everything we see from nothing, how can He be powerful enough to save by taking our visible sins and making them invisible?
I don’t want to believe in a god who does not have the authority to speak a world into existence! He would be less than all-powerful. The God I believe in is worthy of hope and confidence, and He alone is still able to create new life in our hearts!
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. Romans 1:20a
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father full of grace and truth. John 1:1-3, 14
Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, the firstborn of ALL creation. For by him ALL THINGS were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible–ALL THINGS were created through him and for him. And he is before ALL THINGS and in him ALL THINGS hold together. Colossians 1:15-17