FAITH... The Keys to the Kingdom!

FAITH. To have FAITH means to believe in something that cannot be "scientifically proven".  It cannot be measured in a lab, viewed under a microscope, or reduced to an equation. In this age where 'scientific materialism' is the 'religion of the day', many have abandoned FAITH as unworthy of consideration. But is it really?

Scientists have theorized that there are as many as 11 different dimensions, but have no clue as to what that might mean for our existence. Just because something is not measurable in the four dimensions that we are aware of (3 dimensions plus time), does it mean that it does not exist? What if it exists in one or more of those other dimensions that we can't measure? Before there were microscopes, a belief that 'germs' existed and acting on that belief and taking precautions saved thousands (if not millions) of lives. Scientists believe in 'dark matter' and proclaim that there is more 'dark matter' in the universe than there is matter, yet, they cannot even define what it is, nevermind measure it. They have spent billions building the Hadron Collider trying to find the "God Particle", but most spend almost no effort trying to find GOD! Scientists often believe in things that they cannot prove scientifically, but have a bias against anything that smells of spirituality, dismissing it as so much 'hocus pocus'. Much of the media and the 'Hollywood elite' treat Christians with mockery and disdain. Despite all of this, around 78%* of Americans identify themselves as Christian. Why?

A person accused of a crime often must be judged as guilty or innocent based on what is called 'circumstantial evidence' (indirect evidence that tends to establish a conclusion by inference, as opposed to 'direct evidence'). Inference is "a conclusion or opinion that is formed because of known facts or evidence". It is possible therefore, to prove something to be true 'beyond a reasonable doubt' based on 'circumstantial evidence'. So if that in which people have FAITH cannot be proven by 'direct evidence', can it be proven by circumstantial evidence? What is the circumstantial evidence that would support a belief in God and in his Son, Jesus Christ? Taken individually, the evidence is compelling. Taken as a whole, it is, I believe, overwhelming.

Let's start with nature. The book of Romans (1:20) states, "...God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made...", meaning nature. The idea that the majesty, beauty, order, complexity, and balance that exists in the nature as nothing more than random luck makes no more sense than the idea that if enough tornadoes pass through enough junkyards, one of them will create a 747! Consider that the second law of thermodynamics states that, "the quality of matter/energy deteriorates gradually over time", yet nature does just the opposite. The human brain is still the most complex object in the known universe! The DNA in one person if strung end to end could go to Pluto and back. The miracle of you and the natural world around you is in itself strong evidence for God. Isn't spending time in nature in itself healing, calming, and restorative?  Nature is not just 'intelligent design'; it is 'genius design'! Evidence #1 submitted for your consideration.

Another compelling piece of evidence is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy by Christ. The number of prophetic descriptions of the coming Messiah (Savior, Redeemer) fulfilled by Christ number in the hundreds. According to the Old Testament prophecies, the Messiah would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem, come out of Egypt, be of the tribe of Judah, a descendent of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King David, and would fulfill Isaiah's prophecies, including (as He himself states), “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” It was also prophesied that he would be falsely accused, betrayed, hated without a cause, crucified, die for our sins, be resurrected after his death, and be a light not just to Israel but to all nations. I could go on, but the statistical probability of him fulfilling even half of the ones I just listed are astonishingly small. He fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies. What are the odds? Evidence #2.

Another piece of evidence is Christianity itself. Jesus only taught for about three years, never preached more than 30 miles from home, had uneducated fishermen, laborers and a tax collector as disciples, was publicly humiliated and killed, and his followers were hiding behind closed doors after his death, in fear for their own lives. Today, Christianity is the #1 religion in the entire planet. Why? The resurrection of Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit that filled the apostles starting on the day of Pentecost. Martyrs that would rather suffer a horrible death than deny Christ. Countless men and women who have dedicated their lives in service to him. Miracles of healing and deliverance by the thousands, if not millions. Lives changed for the better. Charities formed. Governments founded on its principles. Joy, blessings, prayers answered, and much more, all of which defy natural explanations but is clearly a result of powerful spiritual forces of good at work. Evidence #3.

Then there are the hundreds, if not thousands of personal testimonies of people that have 'died' and come back from death with eyewitness reports of visiting Heaven and/or personally meeting Jesus Christ. Take, for example, the recent book and movie 'Heaven is for Real" about a young boy near death on an operating table that met his unborn (miscarried) sister, his long dead grandfather, angels, and Jesus Christ himself, telling of many things that he had no natural way of knowing. I have posted over 60 videos (and counting) of personal testimonies of people that have personally visited Heaven and come back to tell about it. Some were dead for hours, then came back to life. Some were blind and saw for the first time. Take a look for yourself here. The stories are amazingly consistent and cannot be explained by science. Evidence #4.

Do you need more evidence? Consider the fact that archaeological digs in the Middle East are constantly finding new evidence that supports the Biblical narrative, or that the constellations (properly understood) tell the biblical story. Did you know that scientific and medical knowledge is written in the Bible hundreds or thousands of years before it was accepted as true? Overwhelming evidence indicates that the Shroud of Turin, the apparent burial cloth of Jesus, is actual physical evidence of the resurrection of Christ! For more evidence, consider that many Christians have demonstrated an ability to speak in languages that they don't understand (referred to as 'speaking in tongues'), prophesy, perform miraculous healings, and other 'manifestations of the spirit'. How about the fact that we are living in a time in history that matches a great number of the events described in the Bible as "the last days"... increasing earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, plagues (like ebola) rapidly increasing 'knowledge', and many more. Could that explain why things are getting so crazy? What about paranormal events and even so-called 'alien abductions'? Did you know that even they have been repeatedly stopped using the authority in the name of Jesus Christ? The Bible itself is another piece of evidence. It remains the best selling book of all time. It has been translated into nearly every language on earth. Written by dozens of different authors over literally thousands of years, it is a coherent and self consistent work without a single demonstrable contradiction.

Ah.... but I have saved the best for last! The best evidence of course, is to experience God and the Lord Jesus Christ for yourself. How, you may ask?  It all begins by first coming to God in prayer, admitting that you need to be cleansed from everything you have ever done wrong, and accepting Christ as both your Lord and Savior! At that point you are washed clean, you receive the gift of the holy spirit, and you have a completely fresh start in life! Next, get to know God and Christ by reading the Bible, the revealed 'Word of God' (I recommend starting with the Gospel of John, then the book of Romans, then reading the New Testament from the beginning to end). Now you can communicate directly with God by praying fervently and frequently with open ears and an open heart! Find a church that teaches Biblical Christianity (ex.ex.ex ex.), and go there; listen to Christian radio, and explore Christian web sites (but remember, the Word of God is the standard, not the opinions of men). If possible, attend the weekly Bible study groups and make some Christian friends (i.e. meet your new family!). Trusting God, change your life for the better (i.e. 'repent'); in other words, be a doer, and not a hearer only. Finally, commit to sticking with this new way of life, no matter what happens, and you will be transformed into a new creation! (note: you may do these in a different order, but each one of them is crucial!)

It is when you truly experience God and Christ for yourself that FAITH becomes FACT. It is then that you will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God is real and Jesus Christ is Lord! By FAITH you will have security of knowing that you will spend eternity in a wonderful place called Heaven, where you will be forever bathed in God's perfect love, His perfect grace, mercy and forgiveness, and be surrounded by a beauty that is beyond description! Yes, FAITH provides you with the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven itself! What joy! What wonder! What love! Eternal life is within your grasp! Don't hesitate. The time is now!

"Without FAITH it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
(Hebrews 11)

"Therefore being justified by FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by FAITH into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
(Romans 5)


FAITH...  it's something you can believe in!!!

(* note: text with a blue hue are links to more fascinating information!)