In our effort to shed a little “light” on the subject before us, we have taken a round about route. It is hoped that these articles will do just that; but it was realized from the outset that the subject was too big for our efforts. However, any effort that is made in honesty, will put some “light” on the subject. With these thoughts in our minds, we shall continue!
Today, unlike “yesterday” when most people believed in God, the God revealed upon the pages of the Bible. Therefore, when starting a Bible study, no effort would be required to prove the existence of God! This was and is with a person who does believe in God, the existence of God. It is like having a book in hand and you are ready to study with another; you can bypass, let us say, the first forty pages of the book, as the person already is well versed in those pages. Therefore, starting on page forty-one, which is written under the heading, “Faith/Belief.”
One of the major reasons that a person does not believe in God is that no one has taken the time to prove that God does exist to him! Nevertheless, in this writing, we are addressing a person who does believe in the existence of God; therefore, we are moving to the next twenty pages where the subject is “Faith/Belief,” which in the New Testament is required to please and be accessible to God. Let me add the word “Father,” just here, to the word God as this is the Being I am referring to in this context. In places in the Old Testament the inspired writers used a plural word, in fact, many times the word is a plural (Over a 1,000 times) while referring to God the Father, God, the second member of the Godhead, (This phrase is used because he was not yet the Son of God.) and God the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the use of the word God, is the inspired writer referring to God the Father, God the second member of the Godhead, or God the Holy Spirit? That is unless, it is clear in the context, which word God is referring to! Therefore, let it be understood that the word God in this writing is referring to God the Father!
Now, why do an ever-increasing number of people today, express a belief in God, but who do not believe the Bible is the word of God? Why is this true, taking it as being true? In this final article on this subject, one answer will be given. Let me point out one of two things here. First, the Bible teaches that eternity is real. If there is eternity, and there is, the New Testament has two such places. Here are the words of Jesus: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 25:46). Jesus is speaking of two different kinds of people: 1) the wicked, and 2) the righteous. He uses one word when pointing out the end place; this Greek word is “aionios” but the translator used two English words: 1) “everlasting” and puts with it the word “punishment” but the second word is “eternal” and puts with it, “life.” If we use but one Greek word to refer to two different places, does this not mean that each place is “everlasting,” “eternal?” Yes, it does! We might say, there is “eternal” life and there is “eternal” death; or there is “everlasting” life and there is “everlasting” death! Death is best understood in the word “separation,” as in “everlasting” separation from God. This is almost unthinkable! The person who believes that God exists, is confronted with an Everlasting hereafter! There is an Everlasting, Eternal life, and we have hit upon the major reason that people who confess a belief in God existing but who do not believe the Bible?
Second, the New Testament addresses the subject of “judgment! Have you ever noticed that, so many people say: “Don’t judge me!” “You are judgmental.” The very idea that there is a law, as in the law of God, means that a person must give account to God for the manner, the way, he lives! This is just more than some people can handle! Thus, they decide not to believe that the Bible is the word of God! Then, when they come to the reality of what they have concluded that they have just reached, it just naturally falls that God does not exist!
Yes, it is true, that some people really believe, that if they deny, that God does not exist, then, God does not exist; and the same thing is true with the word of God, if they say it is not the word of God, then, it is not the word of God! Do their words nullify the words of Jesus: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24) and how about these words: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
How much faith do you have? No, I mean in the word of God!
Frank R. Williams