Two Heavens

Without Excuse

Psalm 19:1-4a
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

God Doesn’t Believe In Atheists

Throughout history about 10% of the people have claimed to be atheists. But what does that mean? They are saying that there is no God.

The declaration, “There is no God,” is what is known as an absolute statement. To make an absolute statement requires absolute knowledge. Here is another absolute statement: “There is no zinc in New Zealand.” What is needed for that statement to be trustworthy?

A) No knowledge of New Zealand.
B) Partial knowledge of New Zealand.
C) Absolute knowledge of New Zealand.

You are correct, “C” is the answer. To correctly make that statement, I must know everything there is to know about New Zealand … nothing hidden. To say, “There is no God,” and to rely on that statement, I must be all-knowing.

Imagine the total amount of knowledge. If atheist Ivan had just 1% of all knowledge, that would be an incredibly large amount of knowledge for someone to have. Some say that is the sum total of all human knowledge. Now grant him 11%. Even with such vast knowledge, is it possible that, in the 89% of the knowledge that Ivan does not have, that there is sufficient evidence to prove God exists?

If Ivan is reasonable, he will have to say, “Having the limited knowledge I have at present, I believe that there is no God.” In other words, he doesn’t know if God exists, so he is not an “atheist,” he is what is commonly know as an “agnostic.” He is like a man who looks at a building, and doesn’t know if there was a builder.

Does it make more sense to follow the teachings of someone who claims that there is no God, even though there is no way for him to know that, or to see what God Himself has to say?

The Holy Bible is indeed the written revelation of all-knowing God to man. It is our Creator’s message to us, His creatures. The single most important part of this message is the Good News – The Gospel.

The Bad News

In order to understand the Good News, it is greatly helpful to first have some understanding of the bad news.

There are many evils in this world; death, disease, suffering, injustice and so forth. Greed, murder, betrayal and perversion are all justified in the minds of those who compare themselves with someone who is far worse. They lie, steal and cheat while the only limit is their desire to avoid the consequences.

I have sinned and you have sinned. We can’t deny it. We have lied, stolen, lusted and hated. Each and every sin is a rebellion against the Holy God. When Adam ate the forbidden fruit, he was rebelling against God.

The Holy Bible tells us that we all, like the first man Adam, have departed from God’s ways; we have gone our own way. This, the Holy Bible calls ‘sin.’ We have all sinned (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6). God created us, and He will hold us accountable for how we live our lives (Romans 14:12, Hebrews 9:27). God’s standard for holiness is so high that He considers hatred to be as murder (1 John 3:15) and lust equal to adultery (Matthew 5:28). Like Adam, every rebel against God’s Throne deserves condemnation in judgement for sin.

Physical death ends this earthly life. The Holy Bible calls this death a curse and ‘the last enemy’ (Genesis 3:19, 1 Corinthians 15:26). Death had no place in the original, perfect creation – paradise. Death came about because of Adam’s sin, when he, by his actions, told God that He was not needed. Adam was going to be his own god. Sadly, each one of us has effectively endorsed Adam’s action, in ourselves rejecting God Almighty’s rule over us (Romans 5:12).

Mislead By Impostors

It is not just atheists who attempt to block the gate to heaven. Many have been turned away from Christ by false Christians who misrepresent the teachings of God’s Holy Word (2 Peter 2). God knows everything about you, and He still loves you. Please don’t allow the impostors to keep you from all that God has to offer.

The Good News

The Good News is that God has provided a way of escape from the curse of death and the judgement to come. ‘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.’ (John 3:16).

Jesus Christ came into the world, born of a woman, to take upon Himself the curse and penalty for our sins. As God in the flesh (Colossians 2:9, 2 John 7, Matthew 16:13), the God-man Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15) and willingly gave Himself to suffer and die for us, in our place (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18). He took upon himself the severe wrath and punishment we deserved for our sins. His perfect sacrifice is sufficient to pay for the sins of any number of people (Hebrews 7:25-27). And He rose from the dead, proving that He had paid the price and conquered death. Jesus’ death and Resurrection are attested facts of history. Many have tried to explain away the events and have been converted as they considered the evidence.

God offers this free gift of salvation to all who will receive it (Revelation 22:17). He calls upon all to turn away from their sinful ways and trust in what Christ has done for us. There is no achievement, on our part, that can remove our guilt before God (Titus 3:5). Doing good things does not remove our sin. It is only by the mercy of God that we can be saved through what He has already done (Ephesians 2:8-9). If we try to earn God’s pardon, then we are rejecting the free gift He offers us (Galatians).

Whoever spurns God’s offer will suffer His wrath in the judgement to come, of which the Holy Bible clearly warns. This is a terrifying prospect (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Jesus spoke much of this, warning people of the danger they faced. The Holy Bible’s book of Revelation uses graphic imagery to depict the dreadful future of those who reject God’s mercy now. This life is your place to decide. Your decision now will touch eternity.

If you want to put off your decision, then please get a calendar and mark the day that you will die. Then schedule in some time just before that, so you can get right with God, before it is too late. As ridiculous as it sounds, that is what people are counting on when they avoid this issue. This is the most important matter in your life, and waiting until later will not only endanger your eternal life, it will also harden your heart (Romans 2:5).

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

You are thinking in your mind, “It is not humanly possible for me to forsake my sin.” That is correct. It is only through God’s strength that you can turn away from evil.

How can I be saved?

If God has shown you that you are a sinner, deserving of God’s condemnation, in need of His forgiveness, then the Holy Bible says that you must have ‘repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 20:21). Repentance means a complete change of attitude — that you agree with God about your sin and about who Jesus is and what He did for you. You now want to live a life pleasing to Him. Faith in Jesus Christ entails accepting who He is, God in the flesh (John 1:14), that ‘Christ died for the ungodly’ (Romans 5:6) and that He conquered death in His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 21-22). You must believe that He is able to save you, and you must put your trust in Christ alone to make you right with God.

If God has shown you your need and given you the desire to be saved, then turn to Christ now. Speak to God, the gracious, merciful Father, admitting that you are a guilty, helpless sinner, and ask Him to save you and be Lord of your life, helping you to leave behind your sinful ways and live for Him. The Holy Bible says, ‘if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’ (Romans 10:9).

Not Ready?

If you are hesitating, that is a good sign. It means that you have a grasp of the cost. If you don’t think you are ready to make this decision, then I challenge you to pray this prayer, “God, if you are real, then reveal yourself to me.” I dare you. What could it hurt?

Growth

There are two activities that will help you in the new life that you have found.

1) In the Holy Bible there is only one command recorded from Mary the mother of Jesus. She is speaking of her son when she says ‘Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it.]’ (John 2:5). Jesus Christ is the Word of God (John 1:14). Take Mary’s advice: read the Holy Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and do what it says.

2) Find some Followers of the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus Christ, those who hold to the Bible as God’s Holy, Authoritative Word, and ask them to help you as you learn to live as God wants you to live (Hebrews 10:25). Perhaps someone gave you this booklet — that person might be able to advise you in contacting a group of such Christians.

Adapted from materials provided by livingwaters.com, answersingenesis.org and several other Gospel tracts.

Want to hear more?