A ‘TRUE’ GOD—A ‘TRUE’ WORD: BELIEVE IT, OR NOT?

“The one who has accepted His testimony has certified that God is true.” (John 3:33)

The truth in regard to the beginning of life rests upon a testimony. Whenever and however we want to refer to “the beginning,” regardless if we attribute it to evolution or to a supreme intelligence, both possibilities must be accepted by faith. The reason this is so is because no one was present “in the beginning” except God. The Creation record in the Bible was written by Moses, whose own birth occurred several generations after the Creation, according to the Bible. Moses’ record must therefore be accepted by faith.

In regard to the Creation of life, our decision will be a matter of faith, regardless of the object of our faith.  There are two possibilities as to the source of life’s existence and its continuance. Either it is by the process of evolution or by an intelligent, self-existent, eternal Creator. The Creation teems with evidence of a wisdom that supersedes human capability. Design implies a designer. The precision with which the elements function also implies intelligence.

Yet, with all the magnitude of Creation, one thing is absent apart from a testimony. The Creation itself does not provide the answer as to WHY life came into existence. That is the reason for a testimony. Producing something from nothing is as incredible as raising life from death. But in seeking an answer as to WHY life was created, we must place our faith on a testimony. In view of the two possibilities mentioned above, which of the two offers a testimony as to WHY life came into existence?

Does evolution have a record as to WHY life happened? If so, where is it? On the other hand, the Bible record speaks of a purpose from eternity by an eternal being, God. God had reason to declare WHY He created, and only man was intended to know of that reason. Accordingly, God made man capable of understanding not only how he came into existence, but WHY. Herein, he finds the significance of the statement that God was ‘mindful of him’ (Psalm 8:4; Hebrews 2:6). Since all that we know of God’s eternal purpose is from what God Himself has declared, let us consider whether or not His record is credible.

A true God does not speak what is not true nor fail to keep His word. God’s word is true and God is true to His word. What is said of God is also true of God’s word. God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6) and with Him there is no variation (James 1:17). As this relates to His word, God has declared two “immutable” things about Himself: His promises and His oaths (Hebrews 6:18). God must be true to these, else He incriminates Himself. Immutable means “fixed; unalterable”. Herein is our evidence of His trustworthiness. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). Has God proved Himself credible in this regard? What evidence do we have? Is it not from what is said of those listed in Hebrews 11? Was God credible? How did they respond? With each person(s) the inspired record says, ‘by faith’ they “OBEYED”! Take note of that! Whatever God’s word directed them to do, they did it! This obedience is elsewhere described by a word that has come to be viewed as taboo…‘WORKS’. James 2:14-26 defined the obedience of Abraham and Rahab as “works”. Hebrews 11:6 states, “...the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who SEEK Him.” Genuine faith ‘seeks’ HIM, else it is dead. To seek is to obey ‘HIM”, not venture in uncertainty. Obedience is the only fruit produced by a credible faith. We know that the majority of the nation of Israel died in the wilderness because their faith was not credible, but dead (1 Corinthians 10:5-10; Hebrews 3:16-19; Jude 1:5). Israel did not obey God. Credible belief in God obeys God.

God’s word is clear as to credible belief. God says belief is necessary (Hebrews 11:6). But God also says belief is a work (John 6:27-29). This simply means that belief must be active rather than passive (Re-read Hebrews 11:5 and John 6:27-29). God’s word does not cleanse without applying it any more than soap would cleanse on faith alone (John 15:1-11; Ephesians 5:26). Believing that God’s word cleanses without washing yourself with it is not credible faith.

God’s word (truth) also calls upon us to accept what His word has said about ourselves. God’s word has said we have all sinned (Romans 3:23).

For this reason God’s word also calls upon us to repent of our sins. Is God’s word credible? Do we believe God? Is our belief passive or active? Will repentance occur? Man must adapt to truth; order IS important. The Psalmist wrote, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18). This means to call upon Him according as truth instructs! (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God’s word makes an appeal to our mind. It speaks to our inward being, which is spirit and in God’s image rather than by an emotional appeal to our flesh. Any change of mind must first be based upon God’s word rather than human emotion. While there will be an emotional effect, it must not precede but follow our understanding of God’s truth. Salvation is based upon faith, rather than feelings. Faith must be in God’s word (Romans 10:17). We will KNOW whether we have been saved because of TRUTH versus relying on an emotional FEELING.  

3/28/2021

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“MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION”

There is no greater decision a person will be called upon to make that supersedes the one they make regarding their spiritual well-being. Religious decisions are difficult because they require great determination. The apostle Paul said, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

 

Paul’s statement, as he revealed God’s will concerning obedience, says that it requires becoming a sacrifice: a sacrifice that presents the body in a holy and acceptable service. Paul was well aware of the requirements of obedience. He once stated concerning his life, “for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die” (Acts 21:13). Later in his life he wrote, “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-7). 

Making the right decision about one’s spiritual well-being requires courage. Throughout the scriptures individuals have been called upon to put their lives on the line for their faith: “And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:32-40).

As a Christian, an individual must be willing to do the same today. Jesus said, “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Exercising courage is of such great importance that God said of the fearful, “…their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

When considering one’s condition before God, one must decide to exercise courage and “obey God, rather than men” (Acts 5:29) and “press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). 

What decision have you made in regard to your spiritual service?

3/14/21
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