"God Is ..." or is NOT-II

"God Is …" or is Not
Part Two

Let’s consider how we are affected by a strong conviction that God is and what effect that has upon our behavior. Lets also note some of the opposite.

Believing "God Is" Gives Me an Elevated View of Mankind––
Unlike the lower creatures mankind is "in the image" and "after the likeness" of God ("God said, "Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds, and all other living creatures." Genesis 1:26). I am not a dumb animal driven by instinct and appetite. No, I am a rational, reasoning, moral and spiritual being "a little lower" than the angels and not "far from God". This knowledge causes me to stand in awe of God who created me making me wonder why He has loved me so ( "Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless. I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. Then I ask, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?" You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power-- the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!" Psalms 8:1–9). Furthermore, this knowledge causes me to treat my fellow man differently than I might otherwise do. Why? His life and soul are equally precious ("Men were created to be like God and to bring honor to God. This means that a man should not wear anything on his head. Women were created to bring honor to men." 1 Corinthians 11:7). Not only are we all of one blood, but we are "his offspring" ("Our earthly fathers correct us, and we still respect them. Isn't it even better to be given true life by letting our spiritual Father correct us?" Hebrews 12:9). He is worthy of what I desire and deserve ("Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves." Philippians 2:3, "Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about." Matthew 7:12).
God says He made us a little lower than the angels. Scientific intellectuals say we evolved from a lower life form. In other words we are just above the level of the most intelligent animal form. Who or what do you believe?

Believing "God Is" Gives a Sense of Purpose to My Existence––
The great question men ask is: "What is the meaning of life, why am I here?" Knowing there is a God makes me understand that I am accountable and beholden to someone far greater than myself ("Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad." Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14). Life is not a finite journey to be filled with as much pleasure and as little pain as possible ("Then I'll say to myself, 'You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.' " Luke 12:19; "What do you think I gained by fighting wild animals in Ephesus? If the dead are not raised to life, "Let's eat and drink. Tomorrow we die." 1 Corinthians 15:32).Such is the attitude and lifestyle of many. Rather, it is a pilgrimage toward an eternal reunion with Our Maker ("Then after Moses grew up, his faith made him refuse to be called Pharaoh's grandson. He chose to be mistreated with God's people instead of having the good time that sin could bring for a little while. Moses knew that the treasures of Egypt were not as wonderful as what he would receive from suffering for the Messiah, and he looked forward to his reward. Because of his faith, Moses left Egypt. Moses had seen the invisible God and wasn't afraid of the king's anger." Hebrews 11:24-27). With this knowledge we canin now move on to a higher plane. Desiring to be with God I recognize the imperative of walking with God ("and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." Genesis 5:24).
Having faith that "God is" naturally leads to conviction that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The diligent search results in the obedient life such as did Abraham in his search for the real God (11:8 "Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen."). We truly fear(respect) God and keep His commandments ("Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad." Ecclesiastes12:13, 14; "We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow." 1 John 5:3) and in this we achieve the sum of that for which God brought us into existence ("When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him. I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am." John 15:8–11)

Believing "God Is" Puts the Joy into Living—
Life is filled with many unpleasant tasks and experiences; there are hardships of every kind and description. Without the hope of heaven and eternal fellowship with God, life would be dismal, utterly meaningless and frankly not worth living. However, joy is ours in the midst of these trials ("God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him." James 1:12). We rejoice because through trials we are perfected for our ultimate goal of heaven and our Father ("On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while. Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns." 1 Peter 1:6, 7).
We rejoice because our efforts in the kingdom in redeeming souls are not wasted ("Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless. Your faith in the Lord and your service are like a sacrifice offered to him. And my own blood may have to be poured out with the sacrifice. If this happens, I will be glad and rejoice with you. In the same way, you should be glad and rejoice with me." Philippians 2:14–18). We rejoice because we are able to share somewhat in Christ’s sufferings for us ("Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return." 1 Peter 4:13). We rejoice because we have a great reward in heaven ("Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago." Matthew 5:12).

Believing "God Is" Takes the Fear Out of Dieing––
If there is no God death is the senseless end to a senseless life. We are like the animals in the end, but more miserable. The animals have no desires, yearnings or aspirations. They do not dream, neither do they purpose. Their lives are fully what they ought to be in sleeping, eating, breeding and even in dying. Yet, if "God is" we know that death is the door through which we must pass to attain all that we hope for. Death is no longer a miserable end to fear, but the first step on the last leg of a wonderful journey to God. The man in Christ is prepared for death ("It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be with Christ, because that would be much better."
Philippians 1:23; "We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord" 2 Corinthians 5:8). There is no "sting," its pangs cannot hold us just as they could not hold Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:55, 56 "Where is its victory? Where is its sting?" Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin."; Acts 2:24 "But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power."). When the Lord returns for us we will break forth from the grave incorruptible, glorious, powerful, spiritual, immortal (1 Corinthians 15:42–44 "That's how it will be when our bodies are raised to life. These bodies will die, but the bodies that are raised will live forever. These ugly and weak bodies will become beautiful and strong. As surely as there are physical bodies, there are spiritual bodies. And our physical bodies will be changed into spiritual bodies."; Romans 2:7 "He will give eternal life to everyone who has patiently done what is good in the hope of receiving glory, honor, and life that lasts forever.", 10 "But all who do right will be rewarded with glory, honor, and peace, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.").

CONCLUSION:
Salvation Begins with the Proposition: "God Is"––
Do you believe that "God is"? Does your conduct indicate that you truly believe "God is"? Are you seeking God and His will? Are you obeying His commandments? Is your life in rebellion?
Like the fool, do you live without fear of God? Are you a part of the secular world that has no respect for God and denies His existence? Would you like more information?

Belief that "God Is" Will…
Elevate your view of mankind. Give purpose to your existence. Put joy into living. Take fear out of dying. If you are I hope that your faith has been strengthen, your view elevated, resolved in purpose and joy added to your living, please pass it on to another in need.
Note:
The basic outline for this lesson was taken from a 66 page lesson book written by Jeff Asher. I have edited, adding and deleting as necessary for clarity. All scripture verses added are from the Contemporary English Version for ease of readability. (JMN)

"God Is …" or is Not

"God Is …" or is Not

Hebrews 11:6
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him"

The Road to Salvation Begins with the Proposition, "God Is …"

During my life time I have never met a true atheist (one who believes that there is no deity). However I have met a number of agnostics (one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god). Even those that I have met that believe God is, do not have any real convictions concerning Him. The response is somewhat like a shrug of, "Yes I believe God exist, but so what." Is this apathy or do they really have no concern either way and why? There are many questions to ask if God is NOT, along with questions to ask if, God is. So let’s examine this question.

During one of Paul’s missionary journeys, as recorded in Acts 17:19–30 the writer, Luke, writes, "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" .

Even the Greek scholars with whom Paul’s preaching in Athens had perked instrest in the God he spoke of and asked to hear more. The above was Paul’s response. These Greeks recognized that there was another God, an unknown God, superior to their man-made gods. But is there any proof of His existence? Much of the proof has to be accepted on faith (a firm belief for something for which there is no proof) just as much as science is. There are no absolutes to scientific theories or hypothesis, just as there is no absolute proof that God is. However .................

There Is Ample Proof for the Existence of God––
The Argument from Creation (Romans 1:20 "God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse."; Hebrews 3:4 "Of course, every house is built by someone, and God is really the one who built everything." )

The Argument from Beauty

(Psalms 19:1–6 "The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. They don't speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world. In the heavens a tent is set up for the sun. It rises like a bridegroom and gets ready like a hero eager to run a race. It travels all the way across the sky. Nothing hides from its heat." )

The Argument from Life,

Intelligence and Will (Genesis 1:26 "God said, "Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds, and all other living creatures." ; Psalms 94:9–11 "God gave us ears and eyes! Can't he hear and see? God instructs the nations and gives knowledge to us all. Won't he also correct us? The LORD knows how useless our plans really are.")

The Argument from Morality

(Genesis 20:9 "Abimelech then called in Abraham and said: Look what you've done to us! What have I ever done to you? Why did you make me and my nation guilty of such a terrible sin?")

The Argument from Man’s Spiritual Nature

(Acts 17:23 "As I was going through your city and looking at the things you worship, I found an altar with the words, "To an Unknown God." You worship this God, but you don't really know him. So I want to tell you about him.", 27–29 "God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn't far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are. "We are his children," just as some of your poets have said. Since we are God's children, we must not think that he is like an idol made out of gold or silver or stone. He isn't like anything that humans have thought up and made.")

Now I ask, what’s to argue. We can find God in the creation. Science says otherwise. Are scientist not mere men/women using limited human intelligence to explain how the universe, earth and all that is on earth came from. The one thing that always intrigued me was their explanations bring order out of chaos. This does not happen by chance. It takes intelligence in order do that. Where did the intelligence come from. Look around yourself at nature. Look at the heavens. Everyday the sun is there, the moon follows predictable cycles, the stars can be used to navigate oceans. All creatures reproduce after their own kind. Is this by chance or by intelligent order and design. Humans are the only species that can use logical reasoning and intelligent communication. All of our moral values did not come about by chance. One would have had to escaped and returned to earth not to recognize the moral decline in the world today as many are following or being taught in public education that that morality is philisophical and relative. This eliminates fixed standards. Therefore as the times and the secular thinking changes morality changes.
Man also has a spiritual nature that longs for the same conditions as the Garden of Eden where God placed mankind, or the way heaven is described and we long for it here on earth. We desire our own utopia. People with money spend a lot of it to create it. Now, I ask again, where is the argument.

Our Conviction Determines Our Conduct––
The unbeliever, the atheist or agnostic, does not order his conduct to please God (Psalms 10:3–11 "The wicked brag about their deepest desires. Those greedy people hate and curse you, LORD. The wicked are too proud to turn to you or even think about you. They are always successful, though they can't understand your teachings, and they keep sneering at their enemies. In their hearts they say, "Nothing can hurt us! We'll always be happy and free from trouble." They curse and tell lies, and all they talk about is how to be cruel or how to do wrong. They hide outside villages, waiting to strike and murder some innocent victim. They are hungry lions hiding in the bushes, hoping to catch some helpless passerby. They trap the poor in nets and drag them away. They crouch down and wait to grab a victim. They say, "God can't see! He's got on a blindfold."). Is this not very visible in our society today?
It is possible for the believer to become an unbeliever when they set aside their convictions or loose their belief (Hebrews 3:12 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God.", 19 "We see that those people did not enter the place of rest because they did not have faith." ).
The former believer may deny that "God is" by his conduct ( Jude 12 "These people are filthy minded, and by their shameful and selfish actions they spoil the meals you eat together. They are like clouds blown along by the wind, but never bringing any rain. They are like leafless trees, uprooted and dead, and unable to produce fruit.", "without fear;" see also: 2 Peter 2:10, 21, 22; 2 Timothy 3:1–8)

Questions that Need to Be Asked
What belief do hold? What is the driving force behind your convictions? Are you willing to believe what comes from the mind of another person or are you willing to put your trust in a higher intelligence and that we are here for a purpose? Are you willing to be taught and learn more?