By faith

“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 11,3 (CSB)

By faith we understand.

The believer’s walk is a walk of faith.  The Christian Walk is a walk of faith. Everything is by faith and everything comes by faith.

“..it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (Hebrews 11,6 NLT).

In fact, the fight of the believer in Jesus Christ is the fight of faith. The fight of staying in faith (1Timothy 6,12)

Everybody has faith. Some have faith in science, faith in some philosophy, faith in people, faith in money, faith in the world systems, etc. People trust what they are told by professors, doctors, scientists just because they believe that what they are saying is true.

Well, all these things in which people have faith in have limitations and some are even fallacies. So, the concept of faith is not foreign to human beings.

In Hebrews 11,3, the word ‘universe’ is translated from the Greek word “aión” which also means ‘worlds’ and ‘ages’. “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11,3 NKJV). This means that the creation Hebrews 11,3 talks about is not just the physical world but it is also worlds and ages in all abstract forms.

[On a side note, I would like you to be intrigued every time you see a word in the original language which the text was written in, or when different Bible versions are used. This is done to deepen our understanding, to understand better. The literal translation of the King James Version is a blessing together with other versions which help in terms of vocabulary and ‘easier’ articulation]

Therefore, the Word of God is the essence of all creation and it is in this Word of God that we must place our faith.  Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24,35 NKJV) The Word of God is what God has said.

“Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3,16 (AMPC)

All Scripture is God-breathed. One thing that we should remember though is that these Scriptures were given in different dispensations. This simply means that God related with people according to the dispensation they were in. By dispensation, I mean system, order or arrangement. Examples of dispensation can be, the time man was created, the times of Abraham, the covenant of the law with the children of Israel, the new covenant in Jesus Christ.

Fortunately, the apostle Paul gives this powerful revelation on how to navigate all these as believers in the new covenant dispensation.

“..ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3,6 NKJV). The administration of the new covenant, as brought by our Lord Jesus Christ by His death on the cross and His resurrection, is an administration of the Holy Spirit, not doing things by the letter.

But aren’t we supposed to do what is written? You may ask. Let me explain this further.

Remember the time the devil tempted Jesus to sin against God using the Scriptures themselves: Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4,5-7 NIV)

The quote Satan used is found in Psalm 91,11-12. But in that moment, for Jesus to throw Himself down, it would mean that He was (insolently) provoking God to prove Himself something God highly finds repugnant, as we learn it from the Israelites which Jesus was also giving reference to.

This is why we can’t live this Christian life without Christ. It is Christ who remains after the law and the prophets. As God, the Father, testified about this and said: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9,35). Christ has been made our wisdom: the wisdom to interpret and to apply.

Child of God, be acquainted with the Scriptures, know what the Lord has spoken concerning you.

Whenever you read your Bible, believe that the Word of God is revealed to you, that Christ is revealed to you. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in you and He is the one who teaches you and His teaching always gives life.

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Revelation 3,11 (NKJV)