In culture, faith is often hoping for things hoped for.

You hope for that raise. You hope for good weather on vacation. You hope that she’ll fall in love with you. You hope that he’ll finally make a commitment and propose already! You hope that your child will make that team or make the grade.

But how much assurance do you have in those things? How convicted are you that they’ll take place? Or the more important question is, how do you know for sure that they’re the best things for your life right now, or ever?

True faith is to have an “assurance of things hoped for”. True faith is a deep “conviction of things not (yet) seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) This kind of faith rests in things that aren’t yet fully known or fully visible, which is incredibly difficult without a divine centre-point for human beings to cling to. We need a supernatural factor, or figure who brings substance to our faith.

Someone who can bring reality to what we would otherwise simply hope for.

For the Christian, God is that factor.

God is that figure; that someone to which we place our faith and hope, having assurance and conviction often without visible evidence. All of which is laid out in God’s Holy Scriptures, the Bible, unveiling humanity’s need for a Saviour, and God’s love poured out through our Saviour, His Son, Jesus Christ – the centrepiece of all faith, hope, and love.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 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 11:1-3 (ESV)

The author of Hebrews provides our starting point. By faith, we understand (comprehend, deduce, reason) that God created the universe out of things that are not visible. Everyone needs an element of faith in this starting point.

Prove it, Jeremy!

Okay, even Atheists, who reject belief in God or creation, need faith when discussing the origins of the universe. How? Because the Big Bang Theory is still a theory. Moreover, atheists lack knowledge of the original materials and ignition source for their theoretical big bang.

Where’s their assurance for things hoped for? What conviction do they have for things not seen? So, as you can see, everyone needs an element of faith for the origins of the universe.

The Bible, however, helps us understand our origins. The Bible puts meaning into our existence and assurance and conviction into our faith. Look again at Hebrews 11:3.

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.

Faith and understanding are connected!

It’s a human attribute that no other species shares. We’re unique; designed differently for a reason. The theists’ position is that God and God alone can make something out of nothing.

And to counter an atheist position, ask them about the legitimate area of study called “The God Hypothesis”. It’s not a myth or crack-pot theory. It’s a logical explanation that many in the science world cling to (Google it or ask your science teacher!)

Follow the footnote in Hebrews 11 and you’re pointed back to Genesis 1:1-2.

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)

• The name for God in this passage is Elohim in ancient Hebrews; the Living God, The Creator of the Universe.
• The Spirit of God is Ruach Elohim in ancient Hebrews. This is the Breath of the Living God; His presence and essence.

An interesting point is that many First Nations and Indigenous Peoples all over the world share the Creator belief and similar creation accounts. In fact, every major people group has a Creator origins story.

If you believe in the Creator, I would suggest that you shouldn’t dismiss or neglect the rest of the Biblical account. Many of your questions can and will be answered. Cling to the Creator as your starting point, then journey deeper and farther into the Creator sending His Son, the Saviour and Redeemer.

Following the rest of the creation account in Genesis 1:3-25, we arrive at Humans, which is really our focus today.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)

• The word “us” and “our” point to trinitarian theology. God is three in one; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Then “…let them have dominion…” which points to humanity’s sovereignty over the earth but also our humanity’s responsibility to care for what God has given us.
• Then finally, “…in his own image…” that we are God’s image-bearers.

This is why we’re different!

This is why we’re self-aware creatures, that have both mental and spiritual capacities that intertwine in our personhood. Because on a small scale, we mirror our Creator God. Therefore, by faith, we understand (comprehend, deduce, reason) that God created the universe (which includes you).

Don’t let anything cheapen that! Out of all, you bear His image! When you have faith and understanding in that, your existence changes. You have value, purpose, and meaning. This is why God desires a daily relationship with you. This is why He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you.

Faith in Jesus will bring assurance for your future. Faith in Jesus will bring conviction to every aspect of your life. Take a step of faith today if you haven’t already.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

• What’s your faith position on the origins of the universe?
• What’s your reaction to hearing that you’re God’s image-bearer?