Why should I believe in God?
Why Should I Believe in God?
Believing in God is foundational to understanding life, the universe, and our ultimate purpose. The Bible declares in Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV):
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Acknowledging God is the first step in knowing Him and receiving the wisdom and purpose He offers. While some reject the idea of God due to sin’s hardening effects on the heart (Romans 1:18–23, NKJV), Scripture teaches that the evidence for God’s existence is both abundant and compelling. To deny God, the Bible asserts, is to embrace folly (Psalm 14:1, NKJV).
Two Fundamental Choices
Humanity faces two ultimate paths: to trust in human reason or to embrace divine revelation.
1. Trusting in Human Reason
Human reason, while valuable, is limited by our finite understanding. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV):
"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"
Relying solely on human reason produces various philosophies, religions, and ideologies, all of which fall short because they are bound by the constraints of time and human limitations. Humanity, unaided, lives in "Time’s box," where life begins, ends, and cannot escape its temporal confines. Without divine insight, reason alone leads to despair and a lack of ultimate answers to life's deepest questions about origin, purpose, morality, and destiny.
2. Embracing Divine Revelation
The alternative is to acknowledge God and accept His self-revelation through Scripture. Proverbs admonishes us to:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5, NKJV).
Belief in God does not negate reason; rather, it elevates and enlightens it. Faith in God enables us to understand spiritual realities that transcend human comprehension. As Psalm 119:18 (NKJV) prays, "Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law."
The Evidence for God’s Existence
God has not left Himself without a witness; evidence for His existence is woven into creation, history, and Scripture.
1. Creation Declares His Glory
The natural world proclaims the existence of its Creator. Psalm 19:1–4 (NKJV) declares:
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world."
Paul echoes this truth in Romans 1:20 (NKJV):
"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."
2. The Reliability of Scripture
The Bible, as God’s Word, authenticates itself through fulfilled prophecy, historical accuracy, and transformative power. One compelling example is the prophecy in Micah 5:2 (NKJV):
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."
This prophecy, written around 700 B.C., was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1–20; Matthew 2:1–12). Statistical analysis by Peter Stoner in Science Speaks demonstrates the astronomical improbability of Christ fulfilling even eight prophecies by chance—a probability of 1 in 10^17.
3. The Person of Jesus Christ
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. He declared, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NKJV). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated God’s love, justice, and grace. His resurrection, supported by eyewitness accounts and historical evidence, stands as the ultimate validation of His claims (1 Corinthians 15:3–8).
The Transformative Power of Believing in God
1. God’s Nature and Attributes
Believing in God allows us to know Him as He reveals Himself in Scripture:
Eternal: “The eternal God is your refuge” (Deuteronomy 33:27, NKJV).
Holy: “For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy” (Leviticus 11:44, NKJV).
Loving: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16, NKJV).
Gracious: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, NKJV).
2. Freedom from Sin and Death
Human reasoning cannot escape the problem of sin and death. Belief in God provides the solution through Jesus Christ. John 11:25 (NKJV) records Jesus’ promise:
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."
3. Eternal Perspective and Purpose
Believing in God lifts us beyond the temporal confines of this world and gives eternal significance to our lives. Colossians 3:2 (NKJV) exhorts:
"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
The Danger of Rejecting God
Rejecting God leads to spiritual blindness, moral decay, and eternal separation from Him. Paul warns in Romans 1:21 (NKJV):
"Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
Jesus said in John 10:30 (NKJV):
"I and My Father are one." To reject Christ is to reject God.
Conclusion: The Call to Believe
Believing in God is not just an intellectual assent but a personal relationship that transforms our lives. God has revealed Himself through creation, Scripture, and Jesus Christ. The question is: will you trust human reason, which is finite and flawed, or will you place your faith in God, who is infinite and eternal?
Proverbs provides a timeless exhortation in Proverbs 3:7–8 (NKJV):
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones."
To believe in God is to acknowledge Him as Creator, Savior, and Sustainer, allowing His truth to define your life and destiny. Will you place your faith in Him today? John 14:6 (NKJV) reminds us of the words of Jesus:
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
