Is there a God? Does it matter?
The most important question we have to ask in life is whether there is a God or not. We have no option but to answer it. To avoid or ignore it is simply to say it doesn't matter to us, but the implications are enormous. The decision we make on this question determines our eternal destiny. The answer is of supreme importance.
To consider the question seriously there are 5 things we need to understand.
1. GOD IS TIMELESS.
God always was, always is, and always will be. No one created Him, he created all things, including time.
2. GOD IS HUGE – WITHOUT LIMITS
Huge enough to create the universe we live in!
Many scientists believe the 'big bang' theory, that out of nothing matter came, and somehow the first cells (hugely complex things) formed, amalgamated, mutated, and became the complex life forms we now have. How could the first mammals form with the heart, the lungs, the blood stream, the brain, the eyes, the reproductive system, and our complete bodies by random mutation? It is a totally irrational belief system.
The Bible simply explains it
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1 v 1
For when He spoke the world began, It appeared at his command Psalm 33 v 9
Genesis 1 also tells us God made all living things in their own species.
Finally
God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them, male and female He created them. Genesis 1 v 27
Being made in the (spiritual) image of God sets us apart from all other parts of creation. From God we receive the spiritual dimension to love, create, and live with Him. Only humans have this capacity.
There is no conflict between the big bang theory of scientists and the biblical record – the difference is that the bible tells us who caused it and why it happened.
GOD IS HUGE enough that he knows each of his more than 2 billion people alive today by name, loves us with an everlasting love despite our failures, cares about us deeply, listens to us and understands us no matter what our language or culture, and looks forward to those who choose to become his children sharing his perfect eternal home forever.
3. THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS CHRIST
No other religion claims for its founder what christianity does:
Now in these final days God has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God. Hebrews 1 v 2-3
In the beginning the Word (Jesus) already existed. The Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word (Jesus) gave life to everything that was created and His life brought light to everyone. John 1 v 1-4
Jesus came from the glory and splendour, and power of heaven to earth as a baby to live as a man so that he could identify with us. He spent around 3 years teaching his disciples His way, died to take the death penalty for sin that should be ours, was raised to life, and went back to heaven to prepare our eternal home. He did many miracles of healing, feeding the crowds, calming the storms, and raising the dead to prove that he came from God, and had the power of God.
Jesus said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14 v 6
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11 v 25
The apostle Peter who was with Jesus during his life and again after his resurrection said:
God raised Jesus from the dead and we are all witnesses of this. Now He is exalted to the highest place of honour in heaven. Acts 2 v 32, 33
No other religion claims such a founder – either He was a liar or insane – or else He was and is and always will be the Son of God.
4. THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BIBLE
The Bible is totally unique in world literature. 66 books in one, written over about 1500 years by 40 authors yet one complete coherent story from the creation of the universe to the end of the universe as we know it. How could a work of literature like this happen only once in human history? To ignore it is to cut ourselves off from absolute truth as well as history, poetry, drama, and very very wise advice for successful living.
The Bible is the world's best selling and most translated book. Over 34 million copies were sold around the world in 2014. It has been translated into over 500 languages and in part to over 2,000.
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. 2 Timothy 3 v 16
5. THIS LIFE IS NOT ABOUT THIS LIFE
It is just the preparation ground for the next life!
Every true christian believes with absolute certainty.
Jesus Christ will return and the invitation to His Kingdom will be withdrawn.
We do not know when!
The apostle Peter wrote over 1900 years ago.
"In the last days scoffers will come mocking the truth and following their own desires". They will say: “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors everything has remained the same since the world was first created". 2 Peter 3 v 3-4
The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. 2 Peter 3 v 9-10
The disciples of Jesus asked when he was going to come back. He made it very plain that he was not going to tell them but gave signs to look for.
“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. Matthew 24 v 6-7.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
In the last days there will be very difficult times. People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving, they will slander others and have no self control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 2 Timothy 3 v 1-4
Daniel wrote 2,400 years ago referring to the time of the end:
Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase. Daniel 12 v 4
The bible gives graphic details about the traumatic events to happen on earth at the time of the end when God's patience finally runs out and he acts in judgment. Much we see happening in the world today in the Middle East, Europe, Russia, and Asia begins to fulfill these prophecies.We must take this seriously
If Jesus Christ comes back today are you ready to meet Him?
The message of God to us through the bible is summed up in a number of simple statements with very profound meaning:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1 v 1
God breathed into man the breath of life and man became a living person. Genesis 2 v 7
When Adam sinned, sin entered into the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone. Romans 5 v 12
Everyone has sinned. We all fall short of Gods standard. Romans 3 v 23
The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6 v 23
If we claim we have no sin we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to God, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1 v 8-9
Jesus said
“God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only Son (Jesus), so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world but to save the world through Him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. Anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son”. John 3 v 16-18
Jesus promised:
“I am going to prepare a place for you. When everything is ready I will come and get you so that you will be always with me". John 14 v 3
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and old earth had disappeared. I heard a shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God's home is now among His people! He will live with them and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain. All these things are gone forever". Revelation 21 v 2-3
The God who created the universe invites you to become His child and citizen of His eternal Kingdom Why refuse?
Download a copy of the bible to your computer or smartphone for free www.biblegateway.org
Biblical references (Bold type italics) from the New Living Translation.
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