development of ‘this out of that’ — theories that sound feasible until they are pushed back to the beginning, but that are stymied when we ask how the first material thing originated? By faith we understand that God translated the plans in His mind into material phenomena . ‘God said, Let there be . . . and it was so.’ The casual relationship between the unseen and the seen — whether we are thinking of creation, the upholding of the uni verse, the incarnation of Christ, or the new birth — is grasped only by faith. Faith is the basic essential for a life ‘in tune’ with God. To believe God is to see in the dark, to compre hend that God has a plan even when nothing around us makes sense, to walk assured when there is every rea son to stumble, to go forward when there is no solid ground ahead. For those who believe God, the ‘unseen’ can be more real than ‘the seen.’ Hebrews 11:4 — By Faith Abel of fered unto God a more excellent sacri fice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Commentators on the story of Cain’s and Abel’s sacrifices (Gen. 4:1-7) have speculated as to why Abel’s sac rifice was acceptable to God and Cain’s was not. They have come to various conclusions. Stewart suggests that He brews 11:4 gives the answer. Abel’s sacrifice was made in or by faith; by implication, Cain’s was not. Abel’s right relationship to God was the basis for God’s declaring him righteous (compare Abraham, Gal. 3:6). Notice that the knowledge that God was pleased with him was Abel’s sole re ward, for within a short time, evi dently, Cain murdered him. He had not even had time to marry and leave children who would carry on his name, yet that name lives in honor and tes tifies to the world that from the very beginning there were those who found the faith-relationship with God to be the one thing -that matters. Just as little is known of Abel, so also we do not know the details of Enoch’s life. We know only that he
Lai Angtles County Ganeril Hospital School of Nursing rasidence hail in which tho girls in Biota's nursing program will begin residing in September. Unique in training, Biola nurs ing students receive Bible training throughout all their years of schooling. “walked with God” (Gen. 5:21-24), or that “he pleased God” (Heb. 11:5). To trust God was his way of life and the way of his passing out of this life, for he never experienced death, but was “translated by faith.” Why Abel should have been murdered and Enoch not even know the pains of ordinary death remains a mystery. Our own reasoning would lead to one of two conclusions (both of which are wrong) —either that one man deserved God’s protection and the other didn’t, or that God is not concerned with men’s affairs. Actually, what happens to the body is not important in comparison with what happens to the soul. Fur thermore, we cannot conclude that one man was holier than the other because his life was tranquil, for both men pleased God by their faith. The very best blessing God could give to any one is communion with Himself, and He bestows this blessing on all who please Him. Hebrews 11:6 — But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Some Christians quote this verse to explain the way of salvation. The principle involved is true of salvation, but the context here applies it to pleas ing God in our daily lives, especially in service. Too often our acts of serv- 30
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