Kent Bailey
God does exist. When one looks at life in all of its forms and various modes logical and rational thinking necessitates the conclusion regarding the reality of the existence of God.
While the Bible is a logical book setting forth various arguments to prove its basic message, it is interesting to note that the existence of God, while addressed within the scriptures, is never set forth in the form of a logical argument. God has demonstrated Himself in such ways that His existence should be considered obvious. While logical and rational arguments have and are consistently made proving the existence of God the essence of both humanity and nature is a testament to God’s very being.
With knowledge of the fact that God is a Spirit, absolute, personal, holy, infinite and eternal in His being and attributes, the divine cause of all of the universe; it goes without controversy to argue that neither humanity nor any other outside force or substance can limit the power of God. However the scriptures also reveal that because of God’s attributes and essence He has placed limitations upon Himself. God cannot and thus will not so act as to contradict either His attributes or His essence. Such is the case because God cannot cease to be God.
Atheists often attempt to place those who believe in the existence of God in a hopeless dilemma. They will often times attempt to argue against the reality of God by raising the question, “Can God create a rock that is so large He cannot move it?” Such is an illogical, irrational question that is not even precisely stated.
When one understands correctly the affirmations of Biblical Theism, one will understand that God cannot so act in a way or means that would be contradictory of His divine attributes or essence. Were he so act in a contradictory manner He would cease to be God. God will never cease to be God, therefore God by his very attributes and essence has placed limitations upon Himself. Therefore God would never create a rock that was so large that He could not move such; neither could He create a square circle, a heavenly and righteous demon, nor anything else that would promote a logical contradiction.
The true God of the Bible is not a being that is self contradictory. Were God to contradict Himself, such would be a denial of Himself and He would cease to be God. Such is an impossibility that can never happen!
Atheists are not alone in not properly understanding the Biblical affirmations regarding the attributes and essence of God. There are even those who do believe in the existence of God, yet because they do not understand the attributes and essence of God, they have a false view of God’s being and person. They do not understand the limitations that God’s existence requires.
God cannot lie. God will never place any divine requirement upon humanity and then at the final judgment state a divine decree through Christ that such requirements were really not absolutely necessary after all. God will not decree that a condition is essential to one’s eternal salvation and then casually brush it aside to show partiality to some while condemning others to the eternal flames of torment for not obeying a condition or conditions that were components of a specific covenant to which those amenable to such a covenant were required to obey (Num. 23:18; Titus 1:1-2; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 11:31, Gal. 1:11-12, 20; 2 Tim. 2:10-13; John 17:17; 1 John 2:21; 2 Thess. 1:7-10, Heb. 6:13-20).
God cannot break any promise. None of the promises of God can be broken or even postponed. In Genesis 12:1-3,7 we note that God made unto Abraham both land and nation promises regarding his posterity. Such was fulfilled in Israel’s exodus from Egyptian bondage (Exo. 19:4-6; 20:1-17; 24:1-8; 34:27-28). These promises were conditional. Faithfulness was required of Israel (Deut. 28:1-68; Josh. 21:43-45). In Genesis 22:15-18 God gave Abraham even a greater promise that through his seed all of the nations of the earth would be blessed. Such was accomplished in the first coming of Christ (Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:16). In understanding the promises of God one can know with absolute certainty that God cannot break any promise made under the New Testament of Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Rev. 2:10). When one obeys the gospel of Christ God has promised to forgive sin (Heb. 10:16-17). As a Christian God has promised eternal life conditioned upon faithful living (Rev. 2:10).
God cannot forgive sin separate and apart from His plan. We need to remind ourselves and those who hear us about God’s attributes and essence. Because God is holy, just, and righteous His love and mercy can never be exercised arbitrarily and inconsistently with his other attributes or in opposition to His divine essence. God has provided for us a divine scheme wherein individuals can be saved from their sins in both this present life and in all eternity (1 Pet. 1:18-23).
When one rejects the plan that God has provided for our salvation such a rejection makes it impossible for God to forgive those who reject such (2 Thess. 1:7-10). To reject the concept of the pattern authority of the New Testament in any area of divine revelation places one in sin (Col. 3:17; 2 John 9-11). To remain in a sinful condition by rejecting God’s standard for becoming a Christian, respecting the pattern for New Testament worship, work, organization of the New Testament church, as well as the basis and limits of Biblical fellowship brings about the rejection of both God and His divine Son.
To be saved the alien sinner must:
· Believe The Gospel of Christ
· Repent Of Sins
· Confess Christ
· And Be Baptized Unto The Remission Of Sins.
To be restored to the fellowship of Christ the fallen child of God must:
· Repent Of Covenant Sins
· Confess Them
· And Pray For God’s Divine Forgiveness.
May we recognize the limitations of God. May we learn to truly love God and His Son, come to appreciate his divine scheme for us, and develop a true spirit of submission to God’s plan to be saved in both this life as well as in eternity.
