Day 316

Ezekiel 22:23-23:49, Hebrews 11:1-16, Proverbs 27:15-22

“By faith” are words that have fuelled one of the key theological debates of the church. How is it that we are saved, is it by faith or is it by works. Some believed that it was good works and the things that we did that got us into heaven and others followed Paul here and felt that it was by faith and faith alone.

Paul is right, there is so much that we do not know, and never will know. It would probably blow Paul’s mind to see what we have learnt over the centuries since he wrote those words. How much we do know about creation and the human condition. And yet there is still so much that we don’t know.

Scientists are clear on so much and yet so much of there work is also based on faith and assumptions. What did actually cause the big bang? Or should that be who? Despite all the knowledge in the world, at the end of the day our existence still boils down to faith. Faith that we will take in the next breath and let it go again, faith that our heart will give another beat, faith that when they both stop we will meet the one true God who clapped his hands (or did whatever) “and the universe was formed” (ch11 v3).

It is faith that brings us closer to God and an understanding of his part in our lives. It is a hugely interesting statement that “God was not ashamed to be called their God” because you could never imagine God being ashamed of us, he loves us too much. Our faith returns that love and when we let our faith show we are saying that we are not ashamed of him either.

Have faith and show faith, as an act of love for the God who created all things.