What if there was no God?
Proverbs 14:10-12
"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
Not long ago I was watching a program that interviewed people in the center of a large city. They were asked their view on God and specifically about Jesus Christ being the Savior. It was distressing to view their erudite responses and the cynical attitude they expressed toward God.
Since that time I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about the issue of faith. One of my richest preparations for ministry was working in fields that were far removed from religious activity. Military, Police, corrections, sales, and management, just to mention some of the areas I have experienced.
In the course of living a diverse life I have encountered people who expressed the opinion that there was no God and we were simply a product of evolution. I will not go off into my feelings toward such a ridiculous theory, but will just state that I have encountered unbelievers.
Now here is the observation that I do want to share. These doubting and cynical people have, for the most part, been the most miserable people I have ever met. Rather than enjoying the life they say is the only thing that exists, they grumble and growl with discontent. I have had the blessing of seeing some of these people come to accept Jesus as their Savior. They became content and full of joy.
What if there was no God? What if the faith that true believers possess is a myth? The answer is that those of us who have been born again will have experienced a peace that the world cannot even imagine.
There is another side of that coin. What if God is real? (He is!) What if He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to offer salvation to anyone who will receive Him? What if there is a terrible hell awaiting those who refuse to receive salvation through Jesus? (There is!)
I just happen to believe that all of the denials about God being real are bogus. Deep within the heart of each person there is an awareness of God and a desire to know Him personally. In Romans 1:18-20, we read these words:
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Did you read that? There is no excuse! I have read of men who had never heard a gospel message or even read a single word of Scripture who came to faith by being drawn to the Lord in some unique way.
Years ago I read a book by a Chinese Christian, Watchman Nee. He told of returning to the city where he had attended university. He went to speak with his favorite professor, who was disappointed that he had become a believer. He felt that Watchman Nee was foolish.
Watchman Nee left a Bible with him and urged him to read it with an honest mind. A few days later he came to one of Watchman’s meetings and made a public profession of his faith. He said it was as if the words in the Bible became real and he knew he must obey God and be saved.
“Lord, I pray for each person who is reading this message right now. May Your blessed Holy Spirit open their mind to hear Your truth that they have been resisting. I pray that the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be applied and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. I pray this in and through the name Jesus. Amen.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
Pastor Cecil Thompson
Proverbs 14:10-12
"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
Not long ago I was watching a program that interviewed people in the center of a large city. They were asked their view on God and specifically about Jesus Christ being the Savior. It was distressing to view their erudite responses and the cynical attitude they expressed toward God.
Since that time I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about the issue of faith. One of my richest preparations for ministry was working in fields that were far removed from religious activity. Military, Police, corrections, sales, and management, just to mention some of the areas I have experienced.
In the course of living a diverse life I have encountered people who expressed the opinion that there was no God and we were simply a product of evolution. I will not go off into my feelings toward such a ridiculous theory, but will just state that I have encountered unbelievers.
Now here is the observation that I do want to share. These doubting and cynical people have, for the most part, been the most miserable people I have ever met. Rather than enjoying the life they say is the only thing that exists, they grumble and growl with discontent. I have had the blessing of seeing some of these people come to accept Jesus as their Savior. They became content and full of joy.
What if there was no God? What if the faith that true believers possess is a myth? The answer is that those of us who have been born again will have experienced a peace that the world cannot even imagine.
There is another side of that coin. What if God is real? (He is!) What if He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to offer salvation to anyone who will receive Him? What if there is a terrible hell awaiting those who refuse to receive salvation through Jesus? (There is!)
I just happen to believe that all of the denials about God being real are bogus. Deep within the heart of each person there is an awareness of God and a desire to know Him personally. In Romans 1:18-20, we read these words:
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Did you read that? There is no excuse! I have read of men who had never heard a gospel message or even read a single word of Scripture who came to faith by being drawn to the Lord in some unique way.
Years ago I read a book by a Chinese Christian, Watchman Nee. He told of returning to the city where he had attended university. He went to speak with his favorite professor, who was disappointed that he had become a believer. He felt that Watchman Nee was foolish.
Watchman Nee left a Bible with him and urged him to read it with an honest mind. A few days later he came to one of Watchman’s meetings and made a public profession of his faith. He said it was as if the words in the Bible became real and he knew he must obey God and be saved.
“Lord, I pray for each person who is reading this message right now. May Your blessed Holy Spirit open their mind to hear Your truth that they have been resisting. I pray that the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be applied and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. I pray this in and through the name Jesus. Amen.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
Pastor Cecil Thompson
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