God’s Existence

 I recently came across an article claiming to address the errors in Genesis 1:1.  The verse simply says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” To prove it wrong, one must prove God did not create the world.  To prove that, one must either prove that there is no God, or that something else created the universe. 

 

For centuries, people have been trying to prove there is no God, and many have stated unequivocally that there is no God.  Unfortunately, their statements prove only that they are convinced he doesn’t exist.   People can be absolutely convinced of things that are not true, as demonstrated by the people who are convinced the world is flat despite the photographs from space, the number of flights and ships that have circled the globe and all the evidence to the contrary, and people can cling to a belief in God or a belief that he doesn’t exist in the same way, despite the evidence. 

 

Romans 1:18-21 deals with this very situation.  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

 

Like the members of the Flat Earth Society, they have chosen to ignore the  scientific evidence to cling to their own opinion, convinced they know more than those who believe the evidence.  As Romans 1:22-23 says, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”

 

There is an old saying that “a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”  When people are determined to cling to a particular belief despite any evidence to the contrary, it is a waste of time trying to change their minds.  As Romans 1:24-25 states, God didn’t waste his time trying.  “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”  The evidence is there, and if they choose to ignore it that is their problem, not ours. 

 

Unfortunately, the refusal to face the truth in one area affects other areas of life as well, as can be readily seen in our present world.  Our modern society’s attitude toward homosexuality and transgenderism is direct result of that deliberate refusal to believe the evidence around us, as Romans 1:26-27 describes.  “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.”  Ultimately, unrestrained homosexuality and transgenderism would result in the extinction or near extinction of the human race, although few believe that at this point in time.

 

The rejection of God’s existence results in the repudiation of all moral and ethical standards, as Romans 1:28-32 describes.  “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

 

Despite their efforts, people still carry a load of guilt for their rejection of their moral and ethical standards, even as they push the envelope.  No matter how hard they try to deny it, they still have to confront God’s existence from time to time, just like the members of the Flat Earth Society have to face the globular shape of the earth.