William Jennings Bryan shared a powerful illustration in proving God’s reality:
I have observed the power of the watermelon seed. It has the power of drawing from the ground and through itself 200,000 times its weight. When you can tell me how it takes this material and out of it colors an outside surface beyond the imitation of art, and then forms inside of it a white rind and within that again a red heart, thickly inlaid with black seeds, each one of which in turn is capable of drawing through itself 200,000 times its weight--when you can explain to me the mystery of a watermelon, you can ask me to explain the mystery of God.
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The main reason many cannot comprehend the reality of God is due to a simple fact: “…anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6b). Belief in the reality of God involves faith in His existence. Although, whether we believe in God’s reality or not, His reality never diminished anyway. Not believing in His reality is our lost not His.
What do the Scriptures say about God’s reality? We begin with the visible creation. God’s creation secures our faith in an invisible God: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). Furthermore, God’s creation strengthens our faith in the power of God’s word: “By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). Finally, hear what Jesus described faith in God’s reality: “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
For everyone’s benefit, having a firm belief in God’s reality is an initial requirement of faith: “…because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and…” Em Griffin shared this wonderful story:
There's a story about a kindergarten teacher who asked a boy what he was drawing. Without pausing to look up, he said, "A picture of God." The teacher smiled and responded, "But nobody knows what God looks like." The boy carefully put down his crayon, looked her squarely in the eye, and declared, "After I'm finished here they will."
Next, our belief in God’s reliability is an ongoing requirement of faith “…because anyone who comes to him must believe that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Here’s a story t0 illustrate such truth: The early church leader Augustine was once accosted by a heathen who showed him his idol and said, "Here is my god; where is thine?" Augustine replied, "I cannot show you my God; not because there is no God to show but because you have no eyes to see Him. (Author Unknown). Like Job, we need to see God’s reality during the toughest times of our life. And only with eyes of faith, one sees the existence and reality of God: You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you (Job 42:4-5).
In facing any crisis, the significance of our faith in exhibiting God’s reality becomes much more significant. Why? People must know our faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us (John 3:16). People must see how our faith operates in public scrutiny (Matthew 5:16). Finally, people must encounter our faith by engaging them as Jesus’ witnesses (Acts 1:8). When we know these things, it keeps us aligned in our faith God. Most importantly, people are watching us live our faith life. God is counting on us in displaying the reality of His power daily. Don’t just show it, live it as a witness for His glory.
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A servant and a disciple of Jesus fulfilling the Great Commission in my existence. Married to a wonderful woman of God and blessed with two children both serving God in the Music ministry. Just added a daughter-in-law to this family. Looking forward to seeing new additions in the future.
JRAM Church Online - April 12, 2020
Resurrection Sunday
Speaker - Bishop Efraim Tendero - World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General & CEO