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.
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