 |
|
Questions About BeliefAs I was working on this page, I found a web site that does an excellent job of answering these kinds of questions. See http://www.everystudent.com/Why would you believe the Bible is completely true and accurate? No one can prove that God exists. I'm pretty good. Won't God let me into Heaven? Don't all religions lead to the same God? So Why Don't You Believe? Why would you believe the Bible is completely true and accurate?See http://www.everystudent.com/features/bible.html#2 for a complete answer. Following are my short answers:First of all, the Bible itself claims to be the insipired word of God. If in fact it is the inspired word of God, it could be nothing less than completely true and accurate. Secondly, the principles tought in the Bible ring true in our daily experience. Third, the Bible has withstood the test of time, including the preservation of its accuracy from ancient times. No one can prove that God exists.That's absolutely right. It is also true that no one can prove that God doesn't exist. Either you BELIEVE that God exists, or you BELIEVE that he doesn't exist. Either way, its a belief. And whichever you choose, you can pretty solidly convince yourself that what you believe is right.If you choose to believe there is no God, then you choose to believe that there is no basis for right or wrong, no purpose in living, and that when you die, you no longer exist. If you truely believe there is no God, what purpose do you have in living? If you choose to belive that God does exist, the eternal all knowing, all powerful God, then you might want to ask yourself, what does this God who created me and has all power over me, want from me? As long as I live a pretty good life, won't God let me into Heaven?Many people think that, but on what basis would you believe this? The Bible says that we cannot live a good enough life to be found righteous before God. We have a sin nature that we cannot overcome in and of ourselves. God is perfectly holy and can only accept us if we are perfeclty holy. Do you think you are perfectly holy?Other religions teach people to work their way toward God. But how good is good enough? Not only does the Bible tell us that we cannot be good enough, it is completely logical that we cannot be good enough. If we are accepted into Heaven based on being good enough, wouldn't God tell us exactly how good we must be? In fact he does tell us how good we must be - perfectly good, which we can only attain by accepting the salvation provided by beliving in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Don't all religions lead to the same God.Jesus Christ claimed to be the son of God. The Bible says He was with God and was God. The Bible claims that Christ is God. So, either Christ is who he says he is, or Christ is a liar or lunatic. If Christ is a liar or a lunatic, then how did the world come to be impacted so greatly by Him? And why would his deciples give there lives (some completely in service, most literally as martars for their faith). Could they be so easily fooled by a liar or a lunatic?So Why Don't You Believe?I'm reminded of the man who wanted to borrow his neighbor's lawn mower. The neighbor said, "I can't loan you my lawn mower because the train from Schenectady to Albany is not running on time." The man said, "What does the train being on schedule have to do with loaning me your lawn mower?" The neighbor replied, "Nothing, but if I don't want to loan you my lawn mower, any excuse will do."I think many times people come up with excuses for not believing that are in the realm of, "any excuse will do." They don't really want to admit to anyone or even themselves why they don't want to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Consequently, they think of any excuse they can. In fact the real reason is, "If I believe in Jesus, it must have profound impact on my life. If God truely is God (the creator of the universe, completely holy, and righteous, all powerful, all knowing) then I better do what he wants me to do. If He cannot accept me unless I am completely holy, and I know that I cannot be holy on my own, then I must accept Christ as Lord. That will have profound impact on my life. I must do as Christ desires. But I don't want to do what Christ desires, I want to do what I want to do." And so, any excuse is invoked so that they can keep from facing this choice that will dramatically change their lives. |
It seemed good before me to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done with me. How great are His signs! And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His rule is from generation to generation. (Dan. 4:1b-3)