I DON’T BELIEVE IN ATHEISTS(Rom 1:18-23) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Scripture tells us that “Although they knew God”. The knowledge that there is a God is universal. God did not leave Himself without a witness. He placed “Eternity in their hearts”. One can choose to forget God, but one cannot truthfully say that there is no God. We will never know the many reasons people use to forget God, possibly a tragic event in their past, i.e. loss of a loved one or beloved pet, or not receiving a prayed for gift. Whatever the event, they usually are mad at God and so seek vengeance by denying His existence.
Another reason for not believing in Atheists is that their premise is unsupportable. One of my favorite gags is to tell people that I can answer any question any could give me. The person would then ask a question, i.e. what is the name of my dog when I was little? I would reply, “Fluffy”! Wrong, they would reply. I would then state, “I didn’t say I would give a right answer, I just said I could answer any question!”
I would never state that I know everything. It would not take long to prove the short comings in my omniscience. An atheists, to be a true atheist would have to be “All Knowing” to know there is no God. Realize God could have a palatial estate on Venus and we could not prove or disprove the statement. Years ago it was believed the moon was made of green cheese. Not until 1969 could we say with absolute authority that it was not. How then could a rational, honest individual say that he knows absolutely there is no God.
An atheist therefore is actually a deceived individual. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and without Him there is no knowledge, nor wisdom for that matter. Again the Bible is true, the fool has said in their heart there is no God (Psalm 14.1). Although they say it in their heart, convincing themselves it is true, it comes back to the fact that they wish to forget He is God. Freedom Fighters, we need to “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” NLT 2 Corinthians 10.5. Try this argument on for size. -- Paul Ort is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Digging Deeper: Proverbs 28; Psalm 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18
Dig This Quote: The Christian communities in which we live play a vital role in the business of forgiveness. No matter what the Bible says, and no matter what the bishop pronounces, it is the community that forgives the sinner and receives him or her back into fellowship or 'retains the sin' and closes the door on the sinner. The gospel story of the raising of Lazarus has some application here (John11:1-44). Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, but it was the community that was given the job of unbinding him. You may want to reflect on the life of the community in which you live. Is it a forgiving, reconciling community which will receive back the individual who has missed the mark? How could your community be more forgiving? More loving? More an instrument of reconciliation? Bob Libby
Determined Digging: Level One: Jeremiah 29:11; Level Two: Psalm 127
Determined Praying: It is the office of faith to believe what we do not see, and it shall be the reward of faith to see what we do believe. -- Thomas Adams
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