While atheism is the ultimate intellectual suicide, I can understand why some people are tempted to believe that there's no God. One night I had listened to a CNN report that scientists had discovered why human beings are more intelligent than animals. I was intrigued with their assumption, and listened to how scientists believed that 20 million years ago we developed larger brains. They predicted that the human brain will continue to grow, giving us larger heads. This will mean that future generations will see more Cesarean births. I admired the newscaster's ability to remain straight-faced.
A few minutes later, CNN reported that after a giant tsunami in Southeast Asia killed multitudes, authorities could hardly find any animals that died in the flooding. They surmised that the animals had some sort of intelligence that caused them to move to higher ground when the tsunami-causing earthquake struck. It was human beings who stayed on the beach to take pictures of the wave as it approached.
I once saw a picture of a ten-year-old piece of grilled cheese sandwich which was said to bear the likeness of the Virgin Mary. It was sold on eBay to an “intelligent” human, who paid $28,000 for it.
It is information like this that should help anyone with any intelligence to realize that humanity isn't as intelligent as we are led to believe. While most Christians are too smart to bite into the error of Virgin Mary toast, they profess a faith that makes no sense. While watching TV in my hotel room the night before, I saw a well-known pastor talk about his book, which has sold a phenomenal 20 million copies. He said that God's agenda for humanity was to "make our lives better." That was a summation of his message.
Tell that to those who burying tens of thousands of human corpses were after the tsunami hit. Tell that to the fathers who hold the dead bodies of their beloved children in their arms, or to the relatives of those who died of horrific diseases. It doesn't take much intelligence to realize that if there is a God who created all things, He must be all-powerful. Nothing is impossible for Him. He therefore could have easily prevented unspeakable agony by simply lifting His finger off the earthquake button. But He didn't.
Yes, there is plenty of evidence (from cheese sandwiches to tsunamis) for a thinking person to conclude that a God of love who is all-powerful and wants to better the life of humanity doesn't exist. If He did, He would immediately get a supply of good food to the starving in Africa so that their lives may be better, or at least provide some rain to grow their crops.
During that same day the tsunami hit, 150,000 other people died around the world--about 40,000 of starvation. If He wanted to make our lives better, perhaps He could also halt the parade of killer hurricanes that line up to regularly devastate the U.S., or He could slow down the hundreds of terrifying tornadoes that take precious human lives each year. Maybe He could even whisper to us a cure for the cancers that are killing millions annually, including innocent children.
A quick look at Jeremiah 9:21-24 gives the answer to this intellectual dilemma. How could God be loving and yet allow suffering? The Bible tells us that He is in control, and that He does send judgments to this earth. God is love, but He's also just and holy and if He gave us what we deserve, the tsunami of His holiness would sweep us all into Hell.
Imagine you have knowledge that a bridge has been washed out by a terrible storm, on a dark and moonless night. You stop all approaching cars and say, "The bridge that spans a thousand-foot chasm has been washed away! Please turn your vehicle around." The violence of the storm itself is enough to convince any thinking driver that you are speaking the truth, and those who have the sense to believe you do turn around.
Tsunamis, terrible diseases, agonizing cancers, massive earthquakes, devastating tornados, killer hurricanes, awful suffering, and death itself are very real and violent storms that should be enough to convince any thinking person that our warning is true.
The message of Christianity isn't one of God wanting to better this life for humanity. It is one of warning of a terrible fate in store for those who continue on the road of sin. We are told by God's Word that there are two deaths on the highway to Hell. The first death is when we leave the storms of this life and pass into timeless eternity. The second death is the chasm of eternal damnation. It is the terrifying justice of a holy God.
Judgement
If a killer is convicted and stands in court and the Judge finds him guilty of his actions, and he sais to the Judge; “I don’t believe in the electric chair”. Do you think the Judge will set him free? Surely NOT! He will be punished for his actions.
We all are guilty of our sins, we will all stand in judgement before God. But God does not want us to face judgment, so He sent His son to take the punishment for us, Jesus paid for our sins, and He will save you if you wish to accept Him as you saviour, to save you from the wrath of God.
It is not too late for you! The is no sin to big that does not allow forgiveness, there is sufficient Grace to save you. God has been standing at the doors of your heart and is waiting for you to open for Him. Will you allow Him in today?
If you do, pray this prayer after me:
"Lord Jesus I come to You as I am a sinner.
I am sorry for my sins and I repent of my sins.
I renounce the kingdom of darkness.
I believe that You died in my place for my sins on the cross as a ransom.
I believe that You rose from the dead, and You are alive today.
Come into my life and save me for eternity.
Write my name in the book of life
I surrender my life to You.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit.
Help me to follow You and serve You
all my life, the best I know how.
I confess You as Lord, and I receive You as my personal Saviour.
I forgive those who have sinned against me.
Thank you Jesus for loving me and saving me. Amen."
If you have prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, know that you are saved.
"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
(Romans 10:9-10 NKJV)
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 10:32-33 KJV)
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