Seeing is Believing, or is it?

As we talk to unbelievers about our faith, one of the most common things that you come across is that age old argument of empiricalism, that is "In order for me to believe, I would have to touch, taste, feel, smell or hear from God." Well, sadly this isn't the case. Even if a majority of people see with their own eyes a great manifestation of epic proportion they would still doubt. We see this very thing time and time again in the Bible. Let's look at the resurrection of Christ in Matthew 28:

Matthew 28:11-17 (King James Version)

11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.


Wow! Let's look at this a little closer. Here we have Jesus showing Himself to people as The Christ, who has power over death, and some still doubted! These are people who have seen the miracles, they walked with Him and talked with Him, they even watched Him die on the cross! Knowing full well that he had died, was buried, and I'm sure they heard Him talk about His resurrection, and they still doubted when He appeared to them. How profound. Do you really think that if He was to do the same today that people would believe? They say "If only I had a sign, saw a miracle or showed Himself to me, then I would believe, then I would become a Christian." What nonsense. Think of being there with Jesus as whithered hands are restored, blind men healed, demons cast out, water turned to wine, walking on water, calming storms, raising the dead, and so much more! And you still doubt?!? Talk about a hardened heart! Think about how many people saw these things take place. Did they bow down and worship Him? No. They are the ones who wanted Him dead! How crazy is that! It reminds me of what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:12, "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" It's not that they don't have the evidence. It's that they suppress the truth. God reveals this to us through the writings of the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:18-25:"

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20For 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:

21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

The key, therefore, is not merely to throw the evidence at the unbeliever, but to expose his suppression of the knowledge of God's existence! How do you do this, you ask? You do it through the use of the Law of God. You show them their need for Him, steering clear of the intellect by attacking the conscience. Romans 2:15 tells us:

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;

The conscience bears the witness of God's existence and His Law. Once they see that their works are unemployed because their works don't work, then you can show them the reason for Christ's sacrifice for us. It really is amazing if you think about it. We are in a constant state of sin. They need to know this. Show them they can't out work their sin. Let's quantify this very fact. Think of this: The 1st commandment is to put God 1st, above all things. Now, for every second of your life that ticks away and you are not thinking about God or the things of God, it is sin. So, that is 60 sins a minute, 3,600 sins every hour, 86,400 sins every day, 31,536,000 sins every year. Ouch! But wait, there's more! If you broke the 1st one, then you broke the 2nd one, too! Why? Well, it is idolatry to put anything else above God and since you do not put God 1st, then an idol has taken His place. So let's multiply that by two, which is 63,072,000 sins a year! This is only two of the Ten Commandments! There is still eight more were that came from! But, for arguments sake, let's say these are the only two you have broken. Compare this to your good works. All you have to do is 63,072,001 good works every year and your good works will out weigh the bad! That's easy to do right? Sure. Do you see how foolish it is to believe that your works will earn you favor with God? Not only that, but by doing a good work it doesn't erase the bad. You can fix it once it is broken. If you kill someone, can you restore his life? It is the same when you sin against God.
Now it's time for the Gospel, AMEN? Praise God for the gift of grace and the substitutionary death of Christ in which I am now seen as perfect! What a relief to not have to work for salvation! What an honor it is to serve Christ! And that, my brothers and sisters, is the Whole Truth! - Joe