There is a God! And, He is the God of the Bible. He has left us evidence of His existence throughout history. Though, not in ways you may expect.
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. [Yet] Their message has gone out to the whole earth and their words to the ends of the world." [Psalms 19:1-2 CSB]
It is the God of the Bible who created all things and makes Himself known in His creation.
Consider the Apostle John’s statements:
“All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.” [John 1:3 CSB]
“…Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.”
[Revelation 4:11 CSB]
And the Apostle Paul’s statements:
“We are people also, just like you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. In past generations He allowed all the nations to go their own way, although He did not leave Himself without a witness, since He did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food ..” [Acts 14:15-17 CSB]
“…since what can be known about God is evident among [the people] because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” [Romans 1:19-20 CSB]
Just by observing nature, the earth, our solar system… even the entire universe, we see evidence of a great design... an intelligence... an order. We also see evidence of “a way” provided for humanity to live, grow, thrive and prosper. Behind it all is the God of the Bible.
God’s most important and valuable creation is mankind – human beings – who have the ability to relate to Him physically, emotionally and spiritually.
“So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. God blessed them, and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth…” [Genesis 1:27-28 CSB]. “Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” [Genesis 2:7 CSB].
Even today, God creates each one of us. Using the raw materials given by our mother and father, God designs us -- giving us unique personality and appearance. Then He breathes life into us, just as He did to the very first person. All for the purpose of having a relationship with Him.
“For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.”
[Psalm 139:13-14 CSB] .
Therefore, just observing our universe, our planet and even ourselves, we see evidence that God exists. We can even see some of God’s attributes in the way we were created – in His image and likeness – with the ability to think, feel, know and be known (have relationships).
But, WHY did God create us?
“See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children – and we are!” [1 John 3:1 CSB]. “This is what the Lord says… I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.” [Jeremiah 31:3 CSB]. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity.” [Psalm 107:8 CSB].
The God of the Bible is real, living, active... and He created us to have a relationship with Him. He takes great pleasure in being a loving Father who gives good gifts to His children (see Matthew 7:9-11).
But, WHY wouldn’t God just reveal Himself in a visible way, so we can see with our own eyes that He is real?
He did just that in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Jesus was a historical person who actually lived in Palestine (Israel) during the 1st Century. The Apostles, such as Peter, John and even Paul, were eye-witnesses to His life and teachings. The Jewish historian Josephus and the Roman historian Tacitus also reference the person of Jesus who was called the Christ (see Mark 1:1) – the brother of James (see Mark 6:3).
Jesus claimed to be the Son of God – to be God Himself – wrapped in flesh as a human being. God revealed Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ, inserting Himself into human history and limiting himself to the human dimension.
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I Am.” [John 8:58 CSB]
The term “I AM” was the name that identified the God of the Bible by the Nation of Israel – it is the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses.
Jesus also said, “The one who has seen me has seen the Father.” [John 14:9 CSB]
Some say that the historical Jesus must have been a crazy person to claim He was God. Others say that He was a liar.
However, it is interesting that the people who followed Him, even the twelve apostles who were His inner circle, left everything – businesses, homes and families – and sacrificed their lives for Him and His claim. Some even made the ultimate sacrifice of death. Not many people are willing to give up everything for a lie or an absurd notion from a lunatic. There is a reason that millions today are followers of Jesus Christ. He was not deceptive or delusional and His claims have stood the test of time.
Also, Jesus’ claim to be God does not allow us to treat Him merely as a great teacher, philosopher or guru. As the famed professor and theologian C.S. Lewis has said:
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
[Note: quote from C.S. Lewis is from his book “Mere Christianity.” This book is highly recommended as a resource for understanding the reality of God and the necessity for faith in Him]
The most convincing evidence of Jesus’ claim to be God is in His resurrection from the dead.
Not even the Jewish and Roman officials debated that Jesus’ body was no longer in the grave (see Matthew 27: 62-66 & 28:11-15).
“When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, they were alarmed. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he told them. ‘You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they put him.’” [Mark 16:5-6 CSB]
Thus, the Scriptures refer to the God of the Bible as the Living God (see Acts 14:15, 1 Corinthians 6:16, Hebrews 13:12). God is not an inanimate object or an impersonal force, but a living being that has conquered death in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Peter said, “God raised him [Jesus] up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by death.” [Acts 2:24 CSB]
This Living God has left evidence of His existence throughout human history, in the Holy Scriptures and especially in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus – the Son of God. He has proclaimed His love for humanity and His desire to have a personal relationship with each one of us.
It was Jesus who said, “How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” [Matthew 7:14 CSB]. He also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6 CSB]. Those of us who have found this narrow way through Jesus are instructed by Him to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” [Mark 16:15 CSB]
Therefore, what we have received from Jesus Christ we now make known to you. This is the “good news” (The Gospel ) of Jesus Christ to you – so that you may also find this narrow way.
God Loves You & Created You to Know Him Personally
“This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent – Jesus Christ.” [John 17:3 CSB]
“For God loved the world in this way: he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16 CSB]
“For I know the plans I have for you... plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you” – this is the Lord’s declaration…” [Jeremiah 29:11-14 CSB]
Mankind is Sinful and Separated from God. So, We are Unable to Know Him Personally or Experience His love.
“But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you…” [Isaiah 59:2 CSB]
“The mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed it is unable to do so.” [Romans 8:7 CSB]
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [Romans 3:23 CSB]
Jesus Christ is the Way to God. He is the Only Provision for Mankind’s Sin. Through Him Alone You Can Know God Personally and Experience God’s Love.
Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” [John 14:6 CSB]
“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [Romans 5:8 CSB]
“For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son [Jesus], then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.” [Romans 5:10 CSB]
“For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.” [1 Peter 3:18 CSB]
It is Not Enough to Just Know These Truths. You Must Rely On and Put Your Trust In Jesus, Receiving Him as Lord and Savior. Then You Can Know God Personally and Experience His Love.
“But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name…” [John 1:12 CSB]
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. …For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [Romans 10:9 & 13 CSB]
“See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him...” [Revelation 3:20 CSB]
You May Sense God Drawing You to Himself Right Now. You Can Invite Him Into Your Life by Praying This Simple Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. I want to know You personally. I recognize that I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open my life to You now and invite You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me. I receive Your gift of eternal life. Help me to walk in Your ways as I now choose to follow You. Amen.
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my words. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” [John 14:23 CSB]
“… for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.” [Hebrews 13:5 CSB]
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” [John 10:28 CSB]
You are Now Beginning a Journey with God that Will Be the Greatest Adventure of Your Life!
Your Next Step is to Begin to Read the Bible, Pray and Regularly Attend Church. There You Will Begin to Grow in Your New Relationship with God and Connect with God's Family.
“I pray that he may grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with the fullness of God.” [Ephesians 3:16-19 CSB]