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What’s
the “It”? According to Socrates, the Greek Philosopher,
an unexamined life doesn’t make sense. He said, “The
unexamined life is not worth living.” Was he
right?
Until
you examine your life, you cannot answer questions like
who you are, why you’re here, and where you’re going.
And without answers to those questions, how will you
ever be able to find purpose, meaning, and peace of
mind? Many individuals struggle to find significance in
life. Most of us look to our families, careers,
accomplishments, and relationships; but most of us keep
looking because even these things don’t fully answer the
questions. Finding the answers to “Who are you?”, “Why
are you here?”, and “Where are you going?” Isn’t easy,
but it is possible. And knowing the answers is worth
all the time and effort you spend finding them.
It starts with the basics: Did
the entire universe come from nothing, just happen all
by itself? Or did the entire universe come from
something, rather than nothing? Being able to answer
this question about where we have come from will help
you answer the questions of purpose, meaning, and
destiny.
So,
here are five solid reasons why you can believe that
there is something, or rather someone, in fact a
supernatural Creator behind the existence of the
universe; reasons that are intellectually sound, that
make logical sense, facts that don’t force you to bend,
twist, or abandon rational thought.
1. Things don’t just happen!
A book provides evidence of an author. A song provides
evidence of a composer. A building provides evidence of
an architect and a builder. A universe provides
evidence of vast nothingness?!?
Scientific law (which is very different from scientific
theory) states there is an observable cause and effect
reality to everything in the universe. Mathematical law
requires that when you start with nothing and add
nothing to it, the result will always, unequivocally be
nothing. Each of the things noted above occurs as a
result of the initiative of a highly skilled and
intelligent being. Thus it logically stands to reason
that the existence of the universe provides us with
clear, solid evidence that it was created. There is a
Creator!
2.
Order in the universe reveals a design,
not chaos. From one end of the universe to the other,
creation demonstrates order and design. Every aspect
appears to have been carefully analyzed and specifically
engineered. Take for example, the only planet in our
solar system that can sustain life as we know it is
Earth. Our planet appears to have been perfectly set in
place in order to sustain life. Was that an accident or
was it planned? Day follows night, Spring follows
Winter, Autumn follows Summer in repetitive, perfect
order. Lunar rhythms govern the tide, and countless
other facts reflect intricate, intentional design.
3.
Complexity of the universe reveals intelligence,
not coincidence. Earth is comprised of and populated by
systems and organisms that are incredibly complex and
intricate. The simple truth is the deeper we delve, the
more we discover just how intricate these systems and
organisms really are. In a single DNA strand, there is
enough data to fill 1000 books each with 500 pages of
information. DNA reveals the most sophisticated
engineering language known to man. Could DNA really
have happened by accident? Designed and programmed
itself? That defies reason. It would be totally
miraculous!
4.
Beauty exists and reveals creativity.
The beauty of the universe and planet Earth speaks of a
being that has visualized and given sparkle and detail
to everything from the tiniest flower to the most
majestic mountain to the Milky Way. We humans understand
creativity to be an attribute of personality, reflecting
and expressing the experiences of personhood. The
universe evidences creativity. Creativity is a form of
communication, and nothingness cannot communicate.
5. Earth itself confirms the written account of
creation given in the Bible.
See Genesis 1:11-12 where it describes seed-bearing
plants and trees that bear fruit with seeds according to
their various kinds. If this account of creation were
accurate, what would you expect to see? Clear
distinctions in the different categories of creation
according to kinds or species. And that’s exactly what
we see: distinct kinds. Confusion often comes from
misunderstanding variations within a created kind.
Though there are many varieties of dogs, they are all
still dogs. There is no evidence of transitional forms
between dogs and cats, or dogs and cows. There are
dogs, and there are cats and cows, but they are not
blended and they are not the same.
There
is nowhere you can go without confronting evidence for
the existence of God. Recognizing this provides the
basis for understanding where we come from.
Understanding where you come from helps answer who you
are and where you are going. You were formed by design
in the heart and mind of God. That is your
significance. You are important to God!
If God
exists, and He created each of us by design, it would
seem reasonable that he would want to communicate with
each of us. He has. . . in the Bible. Some of you
likely have some real questions and genuine concerns
about the Bible and its reliability. That’s OK. God
welcomes your questions and so do I. I want to assure
you that I’m not expecting you to accept the Bible just
because I do. I would like to ask you to allow me to
share with you a truly incredible story the Bible calls
Good News. This story will help you answer those
important questions about purpose, meaning, and the
future of your life.
The
Bible reveals that God sent his son, Jesus Christ, as a
human baby into the world. Why? To help us understand,
after generations of religion, that God’s original
intent was for God and man to be friends. He created
mankind from his desire to be with us. He also endowed
us with the ability to choose, because to him, keeping
company with individuals who cannot choose whether to
return your affection would be pointless and
unsatisfying. So along with us he created our free
will, and we as a species, chose to reject him and his
rightful leadership in our lives. This rejection caused
a separation between mankind and God, called sin, which
was never intended. So how did God respond?
God
took the initiative to offer a solution to the problem
created by mankind. Why? Because he knew we couldn’t.
Separation from God allowed a foothold for evil in our
world. Without God, pride and self-centeredness would
keep us from coming back to him, so he came to us. He
sent his son as a human baby to be with us, live with
us, laugh with us, and show us what God is like. He did
not require or force anyone to choose him; he simply
gave us another opportunity to do so. Guess what? He
still respects your choice. And He understands that
choosing him can be difficult, so he’s not asking you to
take the first step. Just join Him in the first step
He’s already taken. Ask him to take his rightful role
as God and leader in your life because God will not act
against your free will. According to the Bible, the
nature of the problem is twofold:
1. Rebellion - individual desire to be in charge and
control;
2. Evil - which produces the desire for separation from
God and the resulting sinful attitudes and behaviors
within us.
So, what is
the solution? How do you take God up on his offer?
Decide. Choose to choose him. This choice requires you
to:
Admit you’re sinful – Romans 3:23
Express sorrow for your self-centered ways - Romans 10:9
Claim Jesus as leader of your life – Romans 10:10-11
Believe He is God – John 1:1-4
You
might think you’re giving a lot up here, and you are:
all of your confusion about the purpose and significance
in life, all of your hopelessness, all of your
dead-ends. The deal God is offering you is really
simple and straight-forward: Jesus offers you all of His
life in exchange for all of yours. Yes. . . all of it.
That
includes the broken relationships, the failed careers,
the fractured families and short-lived accomplishments.
He takes all the emptiness and replaces it with his
love. You are made complete when your relationship to
God is restored.
How can I begin a relationship with him?
Ask Him! Pray -
Prayer
is simply talking to God, not magic words. Your prayer
should be your own, from your own heart. If you're not
in the habit of praying, you may want an example.
Something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and
need your forgiveness. I was made for you, but I've been
living for me. I want to begin a relationship with you
now. I believe that you died in my place, to pay for my
sin, and rose again to restore me in salvation. I want
to turn from my sins. I now invite you to come into my
heart and life as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name,
Amen. John 1:12
Where do you go from here if you have
prayed this prayer? If you know someone who follows
Jesus, tell him or her of your decision. They can help
you take the next step. You can also e mail us for more
information at
Life@NWI.NET.
Written by
Myron Vierra
If you have any additional
questions please contact us at life@nwi.net.
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