Logical thinking would conclude that proof of God’s existence would only be possible if one searched for truth. Therefore, there must be some motivation to do so. I was one of those oddballs who started my search for the truth about God on a dare from my wife to prove her wrong. But many people begin the search for answers from God when they have no place to look but up!
The Creator God has not chosen to reveal Himself physically except through Jesus. Jesus told doubting Philip:
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
John 14:9
One of the many descriptive names given to Jesus by the Hebrew writers was Immanuel or “God with us.” (See Isaiah 7:14). This reveals to us the divinity of Jesus.
Therefore, the most reliable and logical place to discover God is to study the life of Jesus through the Holy Scriptures. Jesus and His disciples used what we know as the Old Testament ( before the New Testament was ever written) as proof that Jesus was all He and His disciples claimed Him to be.
In Part 1, I listed many barriers to belief in God. No doubt, you could probably add to the list. Just one or two of these reasons would discourage most anyone from believing in a God who knows the end from the beginning. These reasons provide good excuses never to start a search for truth. Sadly, therefore, many won’t move forward or will believe a lie that fits more with their own human worldview.
In addition, a search will never happen if someone has had an unhappy, negative religious experience with humans. But, an open-minded search will produce sufficient evidence of God, especially if someone has been compelled for some reason to search. God promises that if our investigation is not casual but consistent, He will be found…and there will be plenty of evidence provided that He is pulling you towards Him!
One writer described our search journey in very plain language:
God never asks us to believe without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, and the truthfulness of His word are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason, and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have the opportunity, while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.
Steps to Christ, p. 106 E. White
This same author highlights the value of sincerity or the desire to know the truth.
In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it. And all who come in this spirit to the study of the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is God’s word, and they may gain an understanding of its truths that will make them wise unto salvation.
Steps to Christ p. 110, 111 E.G. White
Jeremiah said it this way:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29: 11-13
The results of this journey for truth will succeed if we understand it is not a casual search. The determination of its success also includes a willingness to follow the truth. Jesus said,
If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me.
John 7:17
Last time, we looked at the hard evidence that would be viable in any court of law. Eyewitnesses of Jesus and prophecies regarding Him leave no doubt that God can see the future. The conclusion is that there must be an omnipotent God who is more innovative and intelligent than we are.
Because of this, we have reason to believe the gospel story of Jesus in all the books of the Bible, both the Old and New Testament. See Part 2
Often, in a court of law, there is no hard evidence such as eyewitness DNA, a murder weapon, etc. But there is a preponderance of other types of evidence, such as motive, opportunity, and character. This circumstantial evidence can be just as convicting as hard evidence. Therefore, attorneys will combine the circumstantial with the hard evidence to convince a jury.
Circumstantial Evidence-Creation and Life
Paul describes evidence we can see that will lead us to a conclusion about God.
For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Romans 1: 20
This passage points out that the world was “created.” Then God gave the laws of nature to pro-create or reproduce themselves by looking at the creation in this world and life. There are things that remain as evidence of God’s creation and His original purpose. Things like blue skies, soft wind, rivers, oceans, majestic trees, flowers, animals, the sun, the moon, and the stars all minister to life and sustain it. All are intertwined to bring the reality of life surrounded by beauty. It all points to a loving, caring God who created it all. All this can be seen regardless of your station or place on earth.
The world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery. In nature, itself are messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses.
Steps to Christ, p. 10 EGW
As we consider our dependence upon the things we had nothing to do with creating, we are without excuse about the existence of God. His character (invisible attributes )are clearly seen in creation, even His unending (eternal) power and divinity (Godhead). Can you look at the complexity of life and feel sure there is no Creator? Paul tells us we have “no excuse.“
“God is love” is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green — all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy.
Steps to Christ, p.10 EGW
In this dangerous and crazy world, our eyes are coxed to look upon negative and disturbing scenes of everyday life. It is difficult, if not impossible, to do otherwise. Think how refreshing it is to see kind humans at work; what a change in humanity would occur if our time were spent directing our eyes to good instead of evil. Again, Paul suggested the following:
Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
By observing these things, we become changed.
To see love expressed to the unlovable. This is the nature of God. John described God as love:
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4;16
The writers of God’s inspired word were amazed at the works and complexity of God’s creation.
David asked this question twice in the book of Psalms.
…what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
Psalm 8:4 and Psalm 144:3
human beings that you care for them?
The Apostle John stated the truth about God’s creation.
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 4:11
A close look at Scripture reveals something about Jesus that many either overlook or find too incredible. Nevertheless, it is a Biblical truth that all creation came through Jesus. Here are just a few passages:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him (The Word), and without Him, nothing was made that was made.
John 1: 1-3
This “Word,” who was with God in the beginning, made everything. This Word is Jesus! John confirms this several verses later.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1: 14
Paul says the same thing in both the letters to the Colossians and the Hebrews:
He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him, all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1: 15-16
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power.
Hebrews 1:1-3
Summary and Conclusion
If you want to search, you will find the invisible God through Jesus Christ. You will find truth, understanding, and peace when you find God. God is discovered only in Jesus. “No one ever spoke as this man” (John 7:46) . Nor have as many prophecies been fulfilled to the letter as were in Jesus’ life. This is how God the Father has chosen to disclose Himself. Over 40 prophets pointed to a coming Messiah, the woman’s promised seed (Genesis 3:15) who would restore fallen mankind through teaching, example, and sacrificial death to pay for the unchangeable law of sin and death.
The existence of the “invisible” God is plain to see through hard evidence of the life of Jesus and the complexity of life around us. Perhaps this is why David said,
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 53:1a
The Hebrew word for foolish is nāḇāl. It combines the English words “stupid” and “corrupt.” as evidenced by the last part of the verse.
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. Psalm 51:1b
This, in a small way, demonstrates why the world is so corrupt; a majority of the world does not search for God nor follow His ways:
Today if you will yield to God’s pull to turn to Him and reason with Him, you will find…
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
In future articles, we will discover, through God’s word, the reasons for the world’s death, dying, and suffering. God, through giving angels and mankind free will and choice, planned for it.
We will understand why love does not include force. God provides reasons for love and caution against evil. True love must be based on the freedom of will and choice. You can’t be forced to love, nor can you fake it.
God the Father made Himself known as a way of escape through Jesus. This is why this author recommends a study of Jesus through the Bible as the most effective way to discover the reality of God and the plan of salvation. Unlike other books, your journey doesn’t have to start at the beginning, i.e., Genesis.
Almost any place in the Bible will lead you back to Jesus and the words, “in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” I recommend starting with the book of John and his other letters (1, 2, and 3 John). Won’t you begin today? Contact me if you need some guidance on starting your journey. If you want to find a simple guide to beginning your journey, click here. Blessings as you begin your search.