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Existence of God – Assumed in Scripture

The Bible assumes the existence of God without attempting to prove it. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God.” The Bible is God’s letter to His creation, revealing Himself to us. In the other articles in this series we discussed opposing views to the existence of God and arguments for God’s existence.

The Bible is God’s letter to His creation revealing Himself to us. He desires to have a personal relationship with us. As in the beginning with Adam and Eve, God invites us to fellowship with Him. His relationship with man was severed because of sin (Genesis 3:24, Romans 5:12).

Jesus came that we might be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21, 1 Peter 3:18). As a result, we can fellowship with God again, as Adam and Eve did in the beginning.

This was made possible through Jesus’ finished work on the cross on our behalf. He was separated from God so we might be reconciled to Him.

Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

If we want to develop an ongoing relationship with Him, the only requirement is we must believe. Faith is the only way to please God and be accepted by Him.

We must come to Him in faith believing He will accept us because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Faith is the only way to please God and be accepted by Him.

Hebrews 10:38 – “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

Romans 1:17 – “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Habakkuk 2:4 – “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”

• We must believe that He is (Hebrews 11:6). We must come to Him in faith, believing He exists. “In the beginning, God” (Genesis 1:1). He is the eternal and self existing one (Exodus 3:14, Psalms 90:2, Psalm 93:2).
• We must believe in Him. The Jews asked Jesus what they could do to do the works of God. Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29). There is absolutely no work that we can do to please God other than believing on His Son, Jesus Christ (Roman 4:4-5, Hebrews 10:38, Hebrews 11:6). We must come through Jesus and Him alone (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).
• We must believe what He says. Abraham believed the promise of God and was not only declared righteous, but was also called “the friend of God” (Romans 4:3, James 2:23). That is awesome! We can actually be God’s friend.

  Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). Abraham believed and did what God said. God told him to leave his homeland and go to a land which He would show him when he arrived. Abraham left in faith and obedience (Genesis 12:1-5).

• We must exercise faith. Abraham left looking for a city whose “builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). In Mark 2:5 a paralytic man was let down into the presence of Jesus and “seeing their faith” He healed him (Mark 2:5). Their faith was expressed by their actions. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17).
• We must believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). As we come to Him, walk with and seek Him diligently, He will reward us with His presence (Jeremiah 29:13) and in every area of life (Jeremiah 29:11, 3 John 2, Psalms 1:2-3, Joshua 1:8, John 15:16).

The writers of scripture claimed to know God personally, therefore assuming His existence. You can also personally know the God of the universe. This is the difference between religion and true Christianity. It’s a relationship with God – knowing Him personally.

It’s no longer the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but He is my God. Jesus said, “I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God” (John 20:17). He is my God. Paul said, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12). Knowing God intimately was Paul’s passion and longing, He said, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).

The Psalmist had this same longing. He said, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalms 42:1-2). Knowing God personally is the essence of eternal life.

Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Eternal life actually consist in knowing the creator of the universe and having a personal relationship with Him. You can know Him if we will come to Him through His Son Jesus (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) and seek Him with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

Why should we attempt to prove God’s existence when the Bible doesn’t? Below are four important reasons for arguing God’s existence.

• To convince genuine seekers. Peter said we are to, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Those people who are legitimately wanting to know the truth, but because of life’s difficulties are experiencing doubts.

  The enemy has used the circumstances of life to confuse them. This is not for the defiant or those insistent on sin – “I defy you to prove His existence” (Luke 16:31). That would be casting your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). This is for the genuine seeker. We present arguments for God’s existence to assist genuine seekers in overcoming their personal battles with doubt and unbelief.

• To strengthen the faith of those who already believe. For example, believers studying apologetics because they believe. This is like digging a post hole and putting the pole in it. It may stand upright in the hole, but it will not be sturdy. If you pour cement in the hole, the pole will become sturdy. Studying proofs like theology and apologetics is similar. It helps us to solidify the faith we already have.
• To enrich our knowledge of God. What greater object of study is there than God! We should seek to know all we can about Him. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed (perish) for lack of knowledge.” Let’s learn and absorb all of Him that we possibly can.
• To give soldiers of the cross ammunition. The enemy tries to cast doubt and turn people away from the things of God. It’s always better if His soldiers are equipped with the proper ammunition for battle. Paul was ministering to the deputy of Paphos, Sergius Paulus, when the sorcerer, Elymas, attempted to turn him away from the faith. Paul was properly equipped to thwart the enemies plans and so must we be (Acts 13:4-12).

We must make sure soldiers of the cross are well equipped with all they need for every potential conflict. According to Ephesians 4:11-13, the job of the fivefold ministry is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. Let’s do our best to make sure they have all the ammunition necessary for any battle that may arise.

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