In the Beginning...
Updated: Mar 22
TRUE OR FALSE
We know the words “In the beginning God created…” very well. Genesis 1:1 is one of the verses known not only by Christians, but by all of its adversaries. It’s one of the most simple, yet complex verses of the Bible. It’s so concise, yet so abstract. It’s so loved and revered, yet hated and reviled as well.
Why?
Because it is the hinge pin on which everything else in the Bible hangs. Think about it:
If Genesis 1:1 is true, then God is everything the Bible claims him to be and we can trust it 100%.
But, if Genesis 1:1 is not true, then how can we believe anything else that follows it?
I believe it is true. And I hope you do too. There is no in-between on this.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
Do you realize that what you believe impacts the way you live?
If you believe that certain foods are unhealthy, you will try to avoid those particular foods.
If you believe that a certain political party is the answer to all our problems, you will donate, volunteer, and influence people to do the same.
If you believe that clowns eat people…you are correct. 🤡 Stay far away from them!
Aside from that last one, your beliefs play a huge role in how you act and react to people, situations, and in crises. And the same is true when it comes to GOD’S WORD. You either believe it is true and live accordingly, or you don’t, and thus your actions reflect that belief.
You may be thinking, “Now, wait a minute! I do believe it! I just don’t do it perfectly.” And that may very well be the case for all of us. We are not perfect, and never will be until we are with Jesus. However, there is a difference between striving to live according to God’s Word and failing, and living in opposition to God’s Word because you don’t really believe it’s true.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do I believe all of God’s Word is true, or just the parts I like?
When something I hear or read contradicts God’s Word, who am I more inclined to believe?
Do I think that God’s Word is enough for all parts of my life, or is it only good for the things that have to do with church and religion?
SOLA SCRIPTURA
The Latin phrase sola scriptura means by scripture alone. It’s the idea that everything that pertains to life and faith can be found explicitly or implicitly in God’s Word. It’s the belief that if you never had another book, pamphlet, or teacher, you would have all you need in God’s Word to live a life that is pleasing to God.
How about it? Is God’s Word enough for you?
Verses like Genesis 1:1 will bring you back around to that question. We weren’t there in the beginning. We don’t have a YouTube video that shows us the footage of God actually creating everything out of nothing. We don’t have a tweet from God that says…
So you have to believe it in faith. That doesn't mean there isn't any evidence to support the creation account, because there is, but faith is certainly necessary to believe that something can be created from nothing. The question is DO YOU?
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Your answer to the question above will chart a course for you and your family. One that leads closer to God in complete faith and trust, OR one that leads away from him in doubt and confusion.
That may be oversimplifying it for some, but the truth is that you can’t have it both ways. You can’t believe the parts of God’s Word that are good, and sweet, and cheery, while ignoring the parts that condemn sin, set standards, and call you to do hard, uncomfortable things.
Paul summed it up nicely for his disciple, Timothy, when he said this:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)
Picking up a Bible and reading the first words of Genesis is the beginning of faith in a lot of ways. You are trusting that the God of the Bible is who He claims to be, and did what He claimed to do. And all throughout the pages of scripture, we are reminded that faith is not the end of our journey with God…it’s just the beginning.
Comment below: What story in the Bible do you find the hardest to believe is true? The Flood? The Walls of Jericho? Jonah? The Feeding of the 5,000?