Good Reasons For Believing In God



Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008

by
firstcenturychristian

Only ten percent of our society identify themselves as atheists. However, many of those who believe in God base their faith on family tradition or hope of a happy eternity rather than on the solid reasons God has provided.

While saving faith comes from hearing the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17), evidence for the existence of God abounds in nature and in reason.

* David wrote, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork" (Ps. 19:1). Although they are without vocal ability, "their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world..." (19:4). One cannot look up at the starry heavens without pondering, "Who made this vast universe? " "Who set it in motion?" "Who preserves it?" Since no man, nor all of humanity is capable of so doing, it must be the handiwork of superhuman being, who is worthy of our adoration and worship.

* When a thinking person contemplates the vast power that operates within the cosmos we are forced to ask, What is the source of that power? Does power manifest itself from nothing? A light bulb does not lighten itself, it must have a source of power. Only an all powerful God is an adequate explanation for this enormous energy.

* When we consider the existence of life, whether of man or beasts, birds or fishes, we are forced to ask, From whence came this life? The long experience of the human race teaches us without fail that life only comes from prior life. There is absolutely no record of a living thing emerging from non-living matter. It is God who "giveth life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:25).

* Paul told the citizens of Lystra that God "left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17). The food we eat is a reminder of God's providential care of his creation. Think of the billions of creatures inhabiting the earth and sea, and the fact that their food is provided. We are reminded that our "heavenly Father feedeth them" (Matt. 6:26).

* The Apostle reminded the Roman Christians that "the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance" (2:4). Every day, in a thousand ways, God's goodness is demonstrated to all who are honest to acknowledge it.

* The basic structure of reality testifies to the triune God. Our God is manifested as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). Our world of reality consist of time, space and matter. We ourselves consist of body, soul and spirit (I Thess. 5:23).

* The human race is a witness for God. Solomon observed that God has planted eternity in our hearts (Eccle. 3:11). Thus we see in every tribe of people a religious impulse. Even atheists tend to deify their great leaders, humanity as a whole, reason or pleasure. They have their beliefs and writings that are treated as sacrosanct. But in all tribes and nations, be they primitive or advanced, we find people praying in times of crisis. They long for a golden age. They hope for life after death. They build their shrines. There is in all people a sense of right and wrong and a sense that evil must be punished. Except for the few who are truly sociopaths, the human conscience provokes guilt and shame for wrong conduct. It rewards us for right conduct. Paul writes that "Gentiles that have not the (written) law (of God), do by nature the things of the law...they show the work of the law written in their heats, their conscience bearing witness therewith , and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them (Rom. 2:14-15). From whence does this religious impulse arise? Certainly not from animals. None of them reflect such an need for religious expression. It is not a matter of ignorance, for even highly educated people reflect this innate need. Man feels driven to look to some source or power beyond himself. That of course is the God of creation.

* Human language is a witness for God. How did you learn to speak? You learned from those with whom you were raised. Spoken language is not automatic for human beings. The child born profoundly deaf, will never speak verbally unless he has rigorous training by specialists. The question is who taught the first of the human race to talk? They did not learn it from animals nor of their own ability. Some intelligent being had to teach them to speak. The only possibility is that God, the Creator who interacted with them taught them to speak!

* The sinful act of cursing and taking God's name in vain is a witness of Jehovah's existence. In every nation, angry sinners curse and swear by the name of God or Jesus Christ. Did you ever hear anyone say Moses damn you, or Buddha, Vishna, Allah or Mohammed damn you? But wicked men do swear by God, the most high God who created all and rules al,l and by Jesus Christ his Son!

* The myths and legends of the many nations testify to the facts of God, creation, the Great Deluge, etc. Even nations whose mythology involves many gods, in their earliest stages, spoke of a Supreme God. They all relate tales of a beginning of all things, a creation. Virtually all of them know something of a massive flood that destroyed all but a remnant of life. These dim, distorted shadows are remnants of the facts of Jehovah the Creator and Judge of humanity.

* The Jewish people are a witness for God's existence. To them God said, "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah" (Is. 43:10). We know their origin. God selected one man and woman (Abraham and Sarah) and from them created this remarkable nation (Gen. 12:1-3). We know of the remarkable deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt by the leadership of Moses (Ex. 12:1-13:22). We know the origin of their unique religion. For some 1500 years they stood virtually alone in a world of idolatry, as the people of one God (Ex. 20:2-3)! Their peculiar customs of worship, of food and dress, their institutions are all well known. The history of their punishment for their failures and sin and their deliverance, protection and provision by their God is undisputed. After repeated attempts to exterminate them, they still survive, small in number, witnesses to Jehovah!

* God's judgments on wicked nations testifies to his existence. Sodom and Gomorrah, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Egypt of the Pharaohs, Rome, these and scores of other wicked societies who defied God and persecuted his people perished, often in most unusual ways. They were all overthrown by a power greater than themselves. Who or What was the Cause of these judgements sent upon the wicked? The prophet Daniel wrote, "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will...(Dan. 4:25) "He removeth kings, and setteth up kings..." (Dan. 2:21). When wise men contemplate the dealings of God with the nations of the past, they tremble at his judgments!

* Our seven day week with six days for labor and one for rest point us to God. Is it not strange that in every nation of the world men observe this weekly schedule. Our year is easily accounted for by the earth's annual journey around the sun. Months are measured by the waxing and waning of the moon. Days are determined for us by the earth's rotation on her axis. But whence came the seven day week with a day of rest? The only archetype is that noted in the Creation account of Genesis chapter one. Moses wrote of the sabbath, "It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed" (Ex. 31:17).

* In most of the world, the Bible, God's unique book, is available to people. Even those who do not, or have not read it know it to be different than any other book. Some hate it. Others have tried to destroy or outlaw it, but still it stands. Its remarkable survival is another witness to the God who gave it. It is established in heaven (Ps. 119:89). Jesus assured us, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pas away" (Matt. 24:35). In it, God has spoken to humanity (Heb. 1:1).

* Jesus of Nazareth stands out as the most significant man in human history. His name towers above all others in the annals of humanity. He is unique in his birth, his life, his teaching, his mighty works, his death, resurrection and ascension. He alone was virgin born (Matt. 1:23); was without sin (I Pet. 2:22); was raised from the dead, never to die again (Rom. 1:4). He is "the true light which lighteth every man, coming into the world" (John 1:9). Every man is under obligation to confess him as Lord and obey him (Phil. 2:11).

To this very day, God the Father, seeketh men and women who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). Those who refuse to believe in the Most High God are without excuse, given the many witnesses to his everlasting power and divinity (Rom. 1:20).

This Article has been viewed 161 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)
» left by David Pekrul
 3 years 21 days ago.
66 fans.
There is so much evidence for the existence of God, yet many so-called educated people deny His existence. The only reason for this, that I can think of, is that to acknowledge the existence of God, is to make ourselves accountable to Him. This is what so many do not want to do, so to deny Him seems to be the only alternative.
» left by john waddey from arizona 3 years 20 days ago.
Well said, David. Another word for this is rebellion against His authority over us.
» left by Tex Norman
 3 years 17 days ago.
46 fans.
I did go to church last week, the first time in maybe 4 years. I'm very skeptical. I am very much a doubter. I remember once being in a group where some folks were speaking in tongues and it bothered no one, except me. It is odd being in a place where everyone else seems to see God, and understand God, and I'm sitting there going, what are these people talking about?
 
You know Thomas was a doubter too. A lot of Church folk are hard on Thomas. Jesus rose from the grave and appeared to several of the disciples, but Thomas wasn't among them. When they told Thomas about it, he said unless he had physical evidence [he wanted to see and touch the wounds of Jesus] he would not believe. Jesus didn't castigate the guy. Jesus didn't condemn Thomas. All Thomas wanted was what the other disciples claimed they had received, a personal encounter with Jesus. When Jesus shows up, he gave Thomas what he needed. Jesus lets Thomas see and touch his wounds. Then Jesus says there is a special blessing for those who believe without seeing proof. Jesus does not condemn those who need the proof, he just says there is a greater blessing in believing without having the proof.
 
Sometimes I get the feeling that some very fervent God believers are less than patient with those who have doubt.
» left by john waddey from arizona 3 years 9 days ago.
Dear Friend Tex: I am glad to hear that you went to church last week. It can't do you any harm and it could do you much good.
 
The Bible is written, not only for believers, but for those who doubt. Paul correctly observed that"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ "(Rom. 10:17). John tells us he wrote his account of Christ's life that "ye may believe that he is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you might have life in his hame" (John 20:30-31).
 
Books have the ability to change ones thinking, his beliefs and even his actions. Hitler's Mein Kampf motivated millions of Germans to follow him in his evil way. Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin led a nation to repudiate slavery. The Bible's message is called gospel, i.e., good news. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16). Read it carefully, believe and apply its teaching and wonderful things can happen to you.
 
It was perfectly natural for you to be doubtful of those who claimed to be speaking with tongues. A careful comparison of Acts 2:4-11 with what you observed will demonstrate that their jibberish is not at all what the Apostles had on Pentecost. They could instantly speak languages they had not previously studied or learned. The people present heard them speak in their own language wherein they were born (2:8). While the ecstatic utterances of excited minds is indeed a curiosity to observe, it is not at all the unknown tongues, or languages of Scripture.
 
Rational minded people are turned off by irrational conduct of some who claim to be Christians.
 
Search the Scriptures for in them you will find eternal life.
 
John Waddey
 
John Waddey
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.