Do you believe in God? WHY? Is it just because someone told you that you should? Or
because many other people do? If there is a God, where's the PROOF? And what about the Bible?
Is it just a story book, written by a bunch of men who didn't have anything better to do, or the inspired Word of God? You may be saying, "That's crazy! There's no proof of God. And you're
not supposed to look for proof of God, anyway." That's true, we are to simply believe and rely on faith when it comes to God. But satan has tricked us into thinking we need physical proof of something, or it just doesn't exist. The Bible states in Hebrews 11:6 that "...without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Over and over the Bible states that people are healed
by faith in Jesus, and miracles are performed by God using people who have faith in Him. So faith
is very important to God. In fact, the word "faith" is written 247 times in 231 different verses in
the Bible.
However, could God love us so much that He proved His existence anyway?
If we could find any evidence in the Bible revealing something that men of that time didn't
know about, and indeed mankind didn't discover until many, many years later, wouldn't that be
proof that God does exist, and that He inspired the men who wrote the Bible? Keeping in mind
that the Bible was written eons before men even knew what "science" was, I would like to point
out some amazing facts.
1. Everyone knows that everything we see, or "matter", is made up of invisible atoms, and this fact was only recently discovered by scientists. Does the Bible tell us about these atoms? YES! Hebrews 11:3 (probably written before 64 A.D.) states, "...Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
2. You all know from school that there was a time when it was believed that the earth sat on a large animal or a giant. Well, long before that time, was when the book of Job was written, around
1500 B.C. Job 26:7 states, "He...hangs the earth upon nothing."
3. Does anyone remember from their history books why Christopher Columbus was the first
to attempt to sail around the world? It was because everyone else of that time period believed that
the earth was flat, and that they would fall off the edge. In fact it was the Bible that inspired
Columbus to take this step in faith. Look at Isaiah 40:22, written 2400 years before Columbus's
time: "It is He that sits upon the circle of the earth."
4. Just in the last century, science has discovered that stars emit radio waves, which are received on earth as a high pitch "song". Again in Job 38:7, 1500 B.C., "When the morning stars sang together."
5. In the December 1976 edition of Time Magazine, an article states: "Most cosmologists (scientists who study the structures and evolution of the universe) agree that the Genesis account
of creation, in imagining an initial void, may be uncannily close to the truth."
6. At one time, mankind believed that wind came from giants blowing on the earth. We now know that there are "cycles" of air currents that take regular paths. 2,000 years before this fact was
discovered, what does king Solomon, inspired by God, have to say about this? "The wind goes
toward the south, and turns about unto the north; it whirls about continually, and the wind
returns again according to his circuits" (Ecclesiastes 1:6).
7. Science expresses the universe in five terms: time, space, matter, power, and motion. Genesis 1:1,2 revealed such truths to the Hebrews in 1450 B.C.: "In the beginning [time] God created [power] the heaven [space] and the earth [matter] . . . And the Spirit of God moved [motion] upon the face of the waters." The first thing God tells man is that He controls all aspects
of the universe.
8. The great biological truth concerning the importance of blood in our body’s mechanism has been fully comprehended only in recent years. Up until 120 years ago, sick people were "bled," and many died because of the practice. If you lose your blood, you lose your life. Yet Leviticus 17:11, written 3,000 years ago, declared that blood is the source of life: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood."
9. Have you ever wondered about dinosaurs? We have proof that dinosaurs walked the earth, yet why doesn't God mention in the Bible one of the largest life forms he ever created? Maybe dinosaurs ARE mentioned in the Bible. This is Job 40:15-24. “Take a look at the mighty behemoth I made it, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are tightly knit together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God’s amazing handiwork. Only its Creator can threaten it. The mountains offer it their best food, where
all the wild animals play. ...It is not disturbed by raging rivers, not even when the swelling Jordan
rushes down upon it. No one can catch it off guard or put a ring in its nose and lead it away."
10. Encyclopedia Britannica documents that in 1845, a young doctor in Vienna named Dr.
Ignaz Semmelweis was horrified at the terrible death rate of women who gave birth in hospitals.
As many as 30 percent died after giving birth. Semmelweis noted that doctors would examine the bodies of patients who died, then, without washing their hands, go straight to the next ward and
examine expectant mothers. This was their normal practice, because the presence of microscopic
diseases was unknown. Semmelweis insisted that doctors wash their hands before examinations,
and the death rate immediately dropped to 2 percent. Look at the specific instructions God gave
His people for when they encounter disease: "And when he that has an issue is cleansed of his
issue; then he shall number to himself even days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and
bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean" (Leviticus 15:13). Until recent years,
doctors washed their hands in a bowl of water, leaving invisible germs on their hands. However,
the Bible says specifically to wash hands under "running water."
11. There is one more fact I'd like to share that was reported in the Bible before it actually
took place. The following is scripture from the Bible:
"Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power? My servant
grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile
ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to
him. He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned
our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not
care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we
thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and
crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were
healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet
the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the
slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison
and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for
their sins - that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived
anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.
But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made
an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and
the Lord’s plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it
possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among
those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners."
Now, anyone who knows anything about Christianity will undoubtedly agree that this description sounds exactly like Jesus, and what He went through. And it sounds like whoever wrote it was an eyewitness to His life during His time on earth. However, you might be amazed to
know that this scripture is the 53rd chapter written by the prophet Isaiah approximately 755 years before Jesus walked the earth!
These are just a few of the scientific and prophetic facts revealed in the Bible, and there are many more not listed here. With all these truths revealed in Scripture, how could a thinking person deny that the Bible is supernatural in origin? There is no other book in any of the world’s religions (Vedas, Bhagavad-Gita, Koran, Book of Mormon, etc.) that contains scientific truth. In fact, they contain statements that are clearly unscientific. Hank Hanegraaff said, "Faith in Christ is not some blind leap into a dark chasm, but a faith based on established evidence."
Okay, so hopefully we agree that God exists, and that the Bible is the Word of God.
Therefore, we can believe everything written in the Bible, right? Now I'm going to get a little
personal, so don't stop reading just yet. Are you a pretty "good person?" You're pretty sure you're
going to Heaven? No murderers or bandits here? Terrorists or hardened criminals? So you will
make it to Heaven and live forever in paradise? Let's look at ourselves and find out.
Have you ever told a lie? I mean even a so-called "little white lie?" You'll notice my hand is raised, too! What do you call someone who has lied? It starts with the letter "L". That's right, we're "Liars." Do you know what God calls that according to the Bible? Bearing false witness.
Have you ever stolen anything? Taken something from a store? Borrowed something from a friend and forgot to return it? How about borrowing a couple dollars from a friend for a Coke and told them you'd pay them back, but just didn't get around to it? My hand is still up! What does that
make us? This word begins with "T". Right again. We are "Thieves."
Have you ever been angry at someone? I'm sure we all have at one time or another. I'd say you
are thinking, "But being mad at someone isn't breaking any of the commandments!" I'm about to
show you that it surely is. Have you ever been so angry with someone who mistreated you that for
a moment you wished that person were dead? Have you ever fantasized that you could do
someone in? Jesus’ teaching concerning this law demonstrates that we are capable of murder in
our heart. Even if we are legally innocent, we are morally guilty of murder. In Matthew 5:21, 22 Jesus clearly states: "You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to
judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell." Now we've added "Murder" to our list of infractions.
Have you ever stubbed your tow, or hit your thumb with a hammer, or accidentally
closed your fingers in the car door? What came out of your mouth the instant that happened? Did
you say, "JESUS!" or "GOD D*** IT!" Even something as seemingly innocent as being surprised
by something or someone and saying, "Oh, God!" Any time you call out the name of God or Jesus,
not in reverence, but out of pain, anger or surprise, you are guilty of taking the Lord's name in
vain. Now what are we guilty of? "Blaspheming." You might say, Well, I might say a curse word
once in a while, but I don't use the name of God that way." What does the Bible say about this? Matthew 12:36 says, "But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall
give account thereof in the day of judgment."
So far, by our own admission, we are LYING, THIEVING, MURDERING BLASPHEMERS,
and have broken the 9th, 8th, 6th, and 2nd of God's commandments; nearly half of them! And
you're not alone. The Bible actually tells how many people have broken one or more of God's
laws. Let's look at Romans 3:23: "For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." In
other words, no one has ever been able to keep from breaking God's laws. What happens to people who sin? Mark 9:47, 48 says, "...they are "thrown into hell, where the worm never dies and the fire never goes out." God knew from the beginning that as long as satan was here, it would be impossible for anyone to keep all of God's laws without his help.But there's hope. He doesn't want
one single person to perish. He made a way for us to live forever in heaven. John 3:16 says “For God so
loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish
but have eternal life." The debt of sin has been paid for by God's own Son, by dying a horrible,
tortured death hanging on a cross till He just couldn't breathe any longer. But it's up to us to agree
to receive it. The choice is ours. In Romans 10:9, 10 the Apostle Paul tells us, "For if you confess
with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is
by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." All we have to do is take 3 simple steps. We
can find a quiet room, like our bedroom, or maybe take a walk in the woods. But you must
actually talk to Jesus, who is always watching us and listening to us:
1. Acknowledge to Jesus vocally that you believe He is who the Bible says He is; that He is
the Son of God, and that He died in our place.
2. Truly believe that God raised Him from the dead and made Him alive again.
3. Confess to God and yourself with heartfelt sorrow that you have sinned against God, and
ask forgiveness.
If you do these three things, you will be free from the penalty that you deserve when you
broke any of God's laws, and you can now truly call yourself a CHRISTIAN!
To grow in our newfound walk with God, we also have to agree to try our very best to keep from sinning in the future, and ask Him into our heart to help us. You see, there is a part of God, called the Holy Spirit, who will live inside you if you ask Him to.
We should also listen to God talking to us by reading his Word, the Bible, and we should talk
to God in daily prayer. We will also want to fellowship with other Christians by attending a
Bible-believing church regularly.
ONE FINAL THOUGHT: If you still don't think you need to take those 3 simple steps, or you
think you will be embarrassed if your friends see you reading a Bible or talking to Jesus, or you
think that there's just too much fun in some of the things that you would have to give up to be a Christian, think about this: If you're betting that God doesn't exist, then you will have spent the handful of years of your existence here on earth with no hope for a future after you die. But if you
put your faith in God, and believe in Him, the few years of life you have now will be nothing compared to the ETERNAL life God promises to those who choose Him. THE CHOICE IS
YOURS! |
