Photo by Neom on Unsplash
Since the turn of the century, the evidence of God has seen a slow, steady decline. National polling companies agree, saying that in America, church attendance has reached lows that have not been recorded since they began tracking it.
The number of Americans calling themselves Christian is also in decline, with the younger population leading the way.
The Biblical Greek definition of evidence is,
“a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested.”
The Word carries the connotation of conviction, meaning, having seen this, I believe.
The Oxford Dictionary defines evidence as,
“the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.”
All religions are a walk of faith based on the writings of their founders. For example, Muslims follow the Quran, which is believed to have been written by the prophet Muhammad.
Buddhists follow the Tipitaka, which is believed to have been written by Buddha.
Hindus follow a collection of books described as oral traditions that were evidentially written down.
The Bible is only written by 40 authors from different backgrounds and periods.
The point is that all religions walk by faith, a belief based on its teachings.
However, as the studies reveal, in the past 25 years, I have seen (in America) the evidence of God fading.
An interesting note is found in the Old Testament of the Bible (written by Israel’s King Solomon, one of the forty writers) in the book of Proverbs.
It seems to describe the religious mood in America (and much of the world).
“The skeptic swore, “There is no God! No God! – I can do anything I want!
I’m more animal than human; so-called human intelligence escapes me.
I flunked ‘wisdom.’ I see no evidence of a holy God.
Has anyone ever seen Anyone climb into Heaven and take charge? grab the winds and control them? gather the rains in his bucket? stake out the ends of the earth? Just tell me his name, tell me the names of his sons. Come on now – tell me!”
Proverbs 30:1-4 The Message
I see no evidence of a Holy God.
The Apostle Paul addresses the issue in his writings to the Christ-followers in Corinth.
He said Jews are looking for a sign, while Greeks are looking for logical explanations.
The apostle addresses the Christ-followers this way,
“The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.
Just think – you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale.
And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.
God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. The Cross: The Irony of God’s Wisdom.”
I Corinthians 1:6-9 The Message
The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.
- The joy of forgiveness
- A changed life
- A new perspective
- A new path
- An eternal purpose
This is the evidence the apostle is talking about. You heard (or maybe saw) something that touched your heart and prompted you to believe, which led to your acceptance of Christ.
You don’t need a thing; you’ve got it all.
This is where the challenge comes for many (perhaps most) Christians.
IF you move forward in your acceptance of Jesus and learn about him and from him, then you have it all because you become a Christ-follower.
IF the acceptance of Christ becomes an addition to your life, you may wear the title Christian, but you are not a Christ-follower.
The Christ-follower strengthens the initial acceptance of the Word of God and the companionship of other Christ-followers.
For example, your discipline of Bible reading and learning tells you that:
- In the beginning was God—Genesis 1:1
- The Word was and is God—John 1:1
- The Word is truth—John 17:17
- In the last days, there will be mockers—II Peter 3:3
- In the last days, there is Jesus—Hebrews 1:2
How do you walk with God without any evidence?
You realize that the lack of evidence is a lie, and you have all the evidence you need within you because of your commitment to follow Jesus.
King Solomon continued his comments regarding the evidence-seeking non-believer by saying,
“The believer replied, “Every promise of God proves true; he protects everyone who runs to him for help.
So don’t second-guess him; he might take you to task and show up your lies.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 The Message
You walk with God without any evidence because you realize that every promise of God proves to be true.
The Apostle Paul said in his comments about the evidence-seeking person,
“And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.”
I Corinthians 1:8 The Message
You walk with God without any evidence because you realize God himself (in the person of God the Holy Spirit) is right alongside you.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead provides you a living hope. It is a living anticipation full of expectation of something good happening.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is a journey. I invite you to follow along. As I learn, I will pass it along so you, too, can learn. I hope that as you learn, you can pass it along so that I (and others) might learn.
FYI
My wife and I will spend our 25th wedding anniversary in the U.K.
I will resume in three weeks.
Blessings on you all.
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