“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
People have strong feelings about their beliefs. Most believe their particular religion or faith is the true “way” to God. I know I believe that my faith in Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with God. I believe with my whole heart in John 3:16, which states “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I believe without reservation that when Jesus said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” in John 14:6, that He meant it. He is the only way to heaven and being in the presence of God. I believe that the Bible is the actual Word of God, and it is in its pages where I can find all the truths about God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that the Bible is my manual for living and that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:17).
Many people would agree with me, but there are many who would not. In fact, those who disagree with me believe in their religion as strongly as I believe in mine. Many of them also have religious books into which they put their trust as fervently as I have done. So how can I know for sure that my way is the right way?
I know my faith is not misplaced because I have experienced God in my life. I have not simply read about Him; I have not merely listened to others speak of Him, but I have seen Him work, known His presence in my life, and I have on-going personal relationship with Him. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” This past Sunday, missionary-pastor Ricky Davis preached a message on this very thing. Despite all that the apostle Paul had suffered, he knew that his God was real and that the very life he had committed to Jesus was justified because he had seen God work, and he had a personal relationship with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ.
While I cannot say that God has delivered me from the lions’ mouths or saved me from shipwrecks or deadly snake bites, I can cite many examples of how God has moved in my life. I can tell you that His Spirit is within me and speaks to my heart every day through His Word. I can tell you how God has orchestrated events in my life to lead me to where I am today, and I can tell you how He has changed my life from one that was dark and lonely to one that is filled with His love and hope for a bright forever with Him in heaven.
Does it take faith to believe God is real? Of course, but here are a few other reasons I believe in Him so strongly.
- My God is eternal. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” Psalm 90:2. No one carved my God out of a block of wood and placed Him on a shelf for me to worship.
- My God is all-powerful. “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” Jeremiah 32:17. God is the Creator of everything, and He made all things simply by speaking them into existence!
- My God is all-knowing. “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite” Psalm 147:5. There is no limit to God’s knowledge.
- My God loves me. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” Jeremiah 31:3. Despite my flaws and failures, God loves me!
- My God protects me. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” Isaiah 41:10. God never leaves me; He is with me always, protecting and helping me.
- My God sacrificed Himself for me so that I might have eternal life with Him. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” Titus 2:13-14. God sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, so that I could be reconciled to Him and have eternal life with Him.
- My God wants a personal relationship with me. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” John 14:3. Jesus said He was preparing a place for us in heaven, and one day soon, He is coming to get me and take me back there to be with Him forever!
This is the God of my faith. This is the God I worship and adore. This is the God I serve. He has done everything for me; He has given everything for me, and I know without a doubt that “…there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” 1 Corinthians 8:6.
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway.
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
(from “I’d Rather Have Jesus” by Rhea Miller)
Salvation in Christ changes lives. He is the proof for which men seek to know God is real. It only takes a moment for a penitent heart to bow before the Lord and ask for His forgiveness for sin, but it will be a moment changes lives forever!
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31
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How has God demonstrated His reality to you?