“I Don’t Believe It”
I wanted to believe the Solar Eclipse of 2017 was real, but I couldn’t see it. Today August 21, 2017 there is expected to be a total eclipse of the sun by the moon but I’m not sure I believe it. It’s not that I didn’t want to believe either. I really wanted to see to the eclipse–I even brought my camera so I could show you. The trouble was that where I live the sky was overcast and the air carried a dull orange tint from nearby wild fires. I trust my eyes and I believe what I see. Perhaps you see what you believe. Yet, I scanned the skies in vain seeing only cloudy skies, fog and orange haze. Unless you count the fog, as far as I’m concerned there wasn’t any solar eclipse.
Do You Seek The Truth?
Of course if I should truly doubt the solar eclipse really happened, I don’t have to go far to find the truth. In fact, according to eyewitness accounts there actually was a solar eclipse. I even read about it online and saw some videos of what some eyewitnesses described as an “amazing” event. Some people say it was showing the hand of God. While others were simply awestruck. Should I believe them? I don’t know these people. How do I know these accounts and videos aren’t fabricated or made up? But I still want to know if it’s all true and there is not a good reason not to believe there was actually a solar eclipse.
Many people don’t believe in the God of the Bible. Most often our preconceived worldviews get in the way of believing in Him. Yet not like believing or not in the existence of an eclipse, many people hate or distrust the God of the Bible. Many of us by nature don’t want to hear what His word says about us. Maybe you have been hurt by someone who claims to know God or know someone who has been. Perhaps there is great pain or trail in your life that hinders you from believing God. I have battled things like cancer and depression and know about that kind of pain. Yet none of these things disprove that God is real. In fact it’s just the opposite.
Eyewitness Accounts
There are hundreds of eyewitness accounts and testimonies of the reality of God and who He is. There are eyewitness accounts of Jesus and who He claims to be. Perhaps you have heard or know someone who has said they would believe in God of the Bible if He would only show Himself to them. The solar Eclipse did not show itself to me. Why should I still believe it was real? I even went looking for it outside and did not see it with my eyes because there were clouds in the way. Yet, does that mean it didn’t exist? Of course not. However I have a choice to make. I can choose to believe whether the eyewitness accounts of the actual event are true or not. Similarly, God has revealed Himself to us in His Word. Jesus Himself has made claims about who He is and any person can freely examine these things to see if they are so. God will not hinder any person from seeking Him, if and when they choose to do so.
I suspect rather, any person who doesn’t believe in God is being hindered by their own selfish desires and lusts. Simply put, they don’t to find God or God to find them. Sort’ve like a thief doesn’t want to find a police officer. That had been true for me in my life.
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6
“The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
“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.” Hebrews 11:6
Are You Seeking God?
You know this, the world is crumbling and falling apart. People more and more seek to break the law and do harm to others. However, God has spoken a stern warning to all who seek to ignore Him. We have all broken His Law (the Ten Commandments). As lawbreakers or transgressors of the law we are all slaves of sin (doing evil). Like the clouds blocking my view of the eclipse, sin blocks our view (or a correct view) of God. As a result we are self-seeking sin-filled creatures who are at enmity with the God of the universe.
Here’s our biggest problem. To enter heaven, God demands holiness, perfection and a sinless life.
Have you sinned? Broken God’s commands? Are you willing to seek God? To get started, try this quick test.
Have you ever lied? (9th commandment)
Stolen? (8th commandment)
Do you put God first in your life? (1st, 2nd commandments)
Ever used God’s name as a cuss word to express disgust? (3rd commandment)
Hitler and Mohammed are not hated this much.
Lusted? Jesus said lust is the same as adultery of the heart. (Matthew 5:27-28) (7th commandment)
These are just a few of the Ten Commandments. We are all guilty of breaking God’s perfect standard. But since God is holy, perfect and He cannot have sin in His presence (Psa. 5:4, Hab. 1:13) we deserve His righteous judgment in Hell.
One Way of Escape
Therefore, we need a Savior–a way of escape from His judgment for sin. (James 2:10)
Our trying to keep God’s commands to enter Heaven or by doing good deeds is not “good enough” since God as the Judge of Universe cannot be bribed. Because He’s Judge there is only one way in which God can provide this escape. He must pay the penalty of our sins Himself.
He sent His Son Jesus Christ–God manifest in the flesh–to die on a cross paying the penalty for our breaking His Law (Sin). (Ro. 5:8)
When you repent from your sin (turn from it as in changing your mind about committing sin) and trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you from the wrath to come (judgment against sin), you will have eternal life! (John 3:36, Titus 3:4-7, Ro 6:23)
This is known as becoming born again.
What a great incomprehensible love God has for us when we seek it!
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
image is my own
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