What if God really exists? Part 10 – The Good News

       In earlier blogs, I have been discussing the question of God's existence and claiming that it is possible to know that God does exist and even to know God. I also asked such questions as:

If such a being exists, can we know? (Yes)

How can we know? (Logic demands it– Necessary Being Part 4-Necessary Being)

Has this God communicated to us in any way? (Yes- God's word the Bible Part 7 - God Speaks)

Did this Being leave any signs or hints that it exists, like a painter signing his art? (Yes – creation Part 5 - God Alone   Part 6 - The observable attributes of God)

Has this Being interacted with us-- or anyone at all ---in any way? (Yes - His word, the gospel, the incarnation, prayer)

We may also ask questions such as, “If such a being exists, is it good? (Yes)

Is it benevolent towards lesser creatures or pay any attention at all? (Yes)

Does this God set things in motion and then move onto something else, leaving us to our own decisions? (No) Can we get its attention and perhaps win awards or favors? Or the opposite? That is, incur God's disfavor or wrath? (Yes)

I suggest that you read the series in order and that you should start here:

What if God really Exists?

In the last blog, it was demonstrated that we all have incurred God's wrath and judgment. We ended asking these questions: Being under the perfectly righteous pending judgment of God, are we forever doomed, helpless to change our sentence? Will we continue to suffer with disease, disaster, division, death and damnation? Can we do something that will make up the wrongs? Can we plead our case? Is there an advocate that will speak on our behalf? Or is there a hope of pardon or leniency?

You can read that blog here:

What if God really exists? Part 9 Can we incur God's disfavor or wrath?

Let me assure you, there is good news. Very good news. In fact, the best news you will EVER hear. We may be not be able to save ourselves in any way, but God has a plan.

In the beginning, God created a good world, but Adam disobeyed which brought about a curse and death. But God did show grace. The more wicked we became, the more grace abounded. God killed an animal in Adam's place and clothed his nakedness. Moreover, he promised that one from the seed of the woman would come that would crush the head of the serpent. (Genesis 3:15)

However, God could not just look away from sin. In order for justice to be true, wickedness must be judged and punished. Throughout history, wickedness and sin have been kept in check, but we all know that there is still much suffering and evil in the world.

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-20

There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from God's judgment. But at the appointed time, God fulfilled His plan.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26 (ESV)

Jesus the Christ came to fulfill all that man could not and satisfy the law of God, suffer the punishment and judgment of God in our place. How could He do this? Jesus could do this because He was the Son of God—God Himself. (John 1:1-5; John 8:19, 59; John 14:6; Phil 2:6, I John 1-4, Rev 1:8, 17-18). Jesus was both fully man and fully God, the seed of the woman, the Second Adam (Romans 5). Jesus came as God incarnate, lived the perfect, sinless life that neither we nor Adam could live, fulfilling the law and suffering the judgment of God on the cross in our place. Adam's sin was imputed onto us all. Our sin was imputed onto Christ, but Christ's righteousness is imputed onto those who believe, His elect.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16 (ESV)

So though there is much suffering and pain in the world, God has provided a way. He also promises that one day, all suffering and death shall cease for those that repent and belong to Him. He will make all things new. (Rev 19-21).

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 20:14–15, 21:1–5(ESV)

Through Jesus Christ, we have hope. God desires to know us and for us to know Him. He desires to have a relationship with us, just as he walked with Adam in the garden (Gen 1-3), just as He walked with Moses (Exodus, Deut.) and the disciples (John 14-17). What is more awesome than that? Someday soon, He will return to judge the world and take His adopted children to be with Him.

God does exist. He is just, good, and desires to be with His children. He has communicated with us through His word and through His Son, Jesus. Seek to truly know Him. He never disappoints. He has forgiven my sins through Christ, and can do the same for you. I know Him and you can know Him, too.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 (ESV)

What if God really exists? Part 9 - Can we incur God's disfavor or wrath?

In earlier blogs, I have been discussing the question of God's existence and claiming that it is possible to know that God does exist and even to know God. I also asked such questions as:

If such a being exists, can we know? (Yes)

How can we know? (Logic demands it– Necessary Being)

Has this God communicated to us in any way? (Yes- God's word the Bible)

Did this Being leave any signs or hints that it exists, like a painter signing his art? (Yes - creation)

Has this Being interacted with us-- or anyone at all ---in any way? (Yes - His word, the gospel, the incarnation)

We may also ask questions such as, “If such a being exists, is it good?

Is it benevolent towards lesser creatures or pay any attention at all?

Does this God set things in motion and then move onto something else, leaving us to our own decisions? (No) Can we get its attention and perhaps win awards or favors? Or the opposite? That is, incur God's disfavor or wrath?

I suggest that you read the series in order and that you should start here:

What if God really Exists?

We have demonstrated that God communicates with us through His word and that the Bible is the only word of God and a trustworthy source for truth.

God Speaks

In this blog, we want to answer the question that was asked earlier: Can we incur God disfavor or wrath? Since an omnipotent God does exist, we should know what He is communicating, what His desires are, if any, and if we can fall into disfavor in any way. I would think that is vitally important to know!

In the first few chapters of Genesis, the Bible tells us that God created the world and put man in it. He created a complex and beautiful world with stars above, abundant life of great diversity, majestic trees and delicious foods to eat. He gave us work to give us purpose and meaning. He even gave Adam a “helper suitable for him” and he said it was all “very good”. He placed man in a garden, a special place, with all of his needs met and God Himself walked with man daily. He placed man to rule over all to rule over all it with wisdom. There was no death, sickness, or sorrow. God, it seems, was very generous and loving in His abundant gifts to man. (Genesis 1-2) God had only one rule and stipulation: Do not eat of the one tree in the garden. (Gen. 2:15-17). God is good, generous, just, holy, righteous, perfect in wisdom, all-powerful, and gracious. It is completely foolish, illogical and unwise to disobey the Creator God. However, both Satan and Adam disobeyed God to the utter ruin of us all. Disobeying such a perfect Being who is the creator of all things and through whom “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:24) was a horrendous crime and worthy of His wrath and disfavor. The payment for that disobedience is death and eternal damnation. (Gen. 3) We are not autonomous as much as we desire to be: we either serve the True and Living God or the devil. To desire be autonomous is to desire to be our own god, to want to be be god ourselves, which is completely foolish and idolatrous. We do not even desire to serve or have a relationship with this perfect and good being that is God. In Exodus, God also gave us a set of laws (i.e. The Ten Commandments, Exodus 20) to guide us in how to live more godly lives. However, most of us do not even know the commandments of God or even have an interest in serving or pleasing God.

Over and over again throughout history, God has demonstrated that we all live ignoring God, disobeying God and even hating the One who created us. God in his graciousness and mercy, has delayed the final judgment, but it is abundantly clear to any that take the time to understand that we definitely have incurred God's disfavor and His wrath and deserve His perfect justice and judgment.

So, being under the perfectly righteous pending judgment of God, are we forever doomed, helpless to change our sentence? Will we continue to suffer with disease, disaster, division, death and damnation? Can we do something that will make up the wrongs? Can we plead our case? Is there an advocate that will speak on our behalf? Or is there a hope of pardon or leniency?

We will discuss that in our next blog.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:18–25 (ESV)

Repent or Perish

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And [Jesus] answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1–5 (ESV)

What if God really exists? Part 8 – What is God saying? A Bible Overview

In earlier blogs, I have been discussing the question of God's existence and claiming that it is possible to know that God does exist and even to know God. I also asked such questions as:

If such a being exists, can we know? (Yes)

How can we know? (Logic demands it– Necessary Being)

Has this God communicated to us in any way? (Yes- God's word the Bible)

Did this Being leave any signs or hints that it exists, like a painter signing his art? (Yes - creation)

Has this Being interacted with us-- or anyone at all ---in any way?

We may also ask questions such as, “If such a being exists, is it good?

Is it benevolent towards lesser creatures or pay any attention at all?

Does this God set things in motion and then move onto something else, leaving us to our own decisions? (No) Can we get its attention and perhaps win awards or favors? Or the opposite? That is, incur God's disfavor or wrath?

I suggest that you read the series in order and that you should start here:

What if God really Exists?

Through logic and careful observation of the existing universe, we can know that God is necessary, self-existent, eternal, a god of order, a god of law, a god with intelligence, a god of logic, a god of life, a god of beauty, a god of morality, a god of justice who is omniscient and omnipotent. We have also come to the conclusion that God has communicated with us through His Word, the Bible, the only true word of God. You can read about that here:

God Speaks - the Word of God

So, what does God want to tell us in His Word? Though I am not a theologian or an expert in God's Word, I have been studying the Bible for most of my life¹. We will look at some general purposes of God's Word today, but also answer some of the original questions asked above over the next blogs.

1. Communication. One of the main purposes of the Bible is to interact with us His creatures and communicate with us. This also implies a desire to have a relationship with us. In Genesis chapters 1-3, God walked with Adam, the first human. However, we see that the relationship was damaged and Adam was removed from that meeting place. Due to that Fall and the Holy Character of God, God and Man can no longer meet in the same way. Sin in our lives hides God from us. So God established the written word so that we may know his will and who He Is.

   2 Corinthians 4:3–5

   And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (ESV)

   1 Corinthians 13:12

   For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (ESV)

   Deuteronomy 31:8

   It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (ESV)

2. The Gospel and Jesus, the Son of God. The gospel (The Good News) is the main focus of all of Scripture. From the first chapter to the last of the Bible tells us of Christ and His purpose of our redemption. The Trinity, including God the Father and God the Son, created a perfect world and placed man in it to serve God and enjoy Him forever. However, when Adam failed, God promised a future redemption and established a way to prepare for that future hope. For millennium, God spoke through prophets who wrote down His Word to prepare for the coming Redeemer. We had no way to repair the damage done, but God himself made a way by sending His Son, Jesus the Messiah, to do the work of redemption, restoring the relationship with God for Man to those who believe and are His adopted children. Someday, Christ will return to bring judgment and to make all things new. Jesus is seen throughout Scripture, from beginning to end.

John 3:16–18

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (ESV)

Revelation 21:6–7

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (ESV)

3. The Scriptures give guidance on how to live. Most people have heard of the Ten Commandments, though few could repeat all ten. Through the Bible, He communicates to us what pleases Him and what is right and good and what is evil. Being fallen creatures of sin with corrupt natures and being totally depraved, we do not naturally know what is good, right or true. We are not “basically” good. Modern society clearly shows how lost we can be about knowing right and wrong and not recognizing truth on our own. Scriptures are a guide to living right. Moreover, The Bible is full of warnings of judgment if we do not obey God's law.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)

Colossians 1:9–11

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; (ESV)

Matthew 12:36–37

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (ESV)

4. The Bible tells us who God really is. As we have demonstrated with the last few posts, we can know a few things about God for the created world. This is known as natural theology. God has revealed some of His attributes through the created world. However, many things about who God is can only be known by Scripture such as the Trinity, His law, His grace, His mercy, His holiness. This is known as revealed theology.

Exodus 34:5–7

The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.(ESV)

John 14:9–11

Jesus said ...“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. (ESV)

4. To record His Covenants. Throughout the ages, God has made various covenants and promises. A covenant is a contract or agreement between God and men. God made a covenant with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Israelites and David. Those covenants are recorded so we can know that God keeps His promises most of which were fulfilled through Jesus Christ.

Genesis 12:2–3

“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (ESV)

Exodus 34:10

And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you. (ESV)

2 Samuel 7:12–14

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

So through God's word, we can know God, we can know His will, know His promises and be aware of His warnings.

1You can read my Personal testimony on my blog. Also, you can read My testimony after 25 years as a true believer.