So, you want to be an atheist.
Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • 5/1/2020
Scriptures from the Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769.
Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain.
Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith (Gal 3:11).
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good (Ps 14:1).
So. You want to be an atheist. It is hard for me to believe that anyone believes we are all here by accident, but that’s your call. The Bible verse above (Ps 14:1) tells us people who say there is no God, are corrupt. I know that may seem insulting to you, but I didn’t say it. The Bible did. I have met many people in my life who say they are “atheists” and it is not my place to pick on them. However, some of the folks I have met seemed very intelligent and likeable. And because they were likeable people, I don’t want to see them suffer an eternity in hell (I want to clarify I want to see no one heading for hell - likeable or not). [And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15).] I believe the Bible. I have learned that some “self-proclaimed atheists” cannot or do not want to be convinced otherwise. So I won’t get into a ‘spiritual battle’ with you. There are some that simply do not want to be “preached at” and I understand that. I really do. There was a time in my life where I didn’t want to be “preached at”. So I won’t treat you badly.
The word “atheist” means of course, no belief in God. I have also come to the realization that some folks are simply “not wanting to submit themselves to anyone.” Again, that’s your choice. Even though there are dozens of fulfilled prophecies regarding Jesus in the Old Testament that have come about, it doesn’t impress some. The God of the universe gives us a choice: To live for Him or to live for ourselves and this world. So if you do not believe the Bible, there is not a whole lot I can do to convince you. You may have many underlying factors why you don’t believe in Jesus, who is God in the flesh (John 1:1-2) and created everything, including you and me (John 1:3). I wish I could convince you but my job is to “tell people about Christ” for the most part. He wants us to live a holy lifestyle and be a ‘light’ to those who do not know Him. My goal is to finish well and give glory to God through my lifestyle.
So just for a few moments, listen to my view (and the view of millions of people, since I have heard your view so many times). I’m just asking you for a just few minutes if you will.
The Bible was written over a span of 1500 years with more than 40 writers from different areas (and different cultures) and in three languages and it took much of their lives to do this (2 Tim 3:16). And was assembled correctly in the English language around 1611. By the way, many of these writers who went through the scrolls didn’t even know each other. All books of the Bible are in perfect harmony. The odds of this happening, I believe, would be like a tornado going through a large auto junk yard and re-assembling all of the automobiles back to their original state as they were when they rolled off the line in the factory the year they were made. In other words, 100 trillion X 100 trillion to one. No Chance! We'd all be hanging out at the junkyard waiting for our 'new ride' !! Can you smell that new car smell?
The Bible is a fact. It is a continuing story of a Savior and man’s struggle with the world (or the devil). We are all born into sin through Adam (Rom 5:12) (Rom 3:23) as he sinned in the beginning. The Bible speaks of a lot of blood sacrifices in the Old Testament but God provided that final sacrifice. Jesus Christ did that with His death and resurrection. In the book of Genesis some of the sacrifices were respected by God. And some were not. Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respected his offering: (Gen 4:4-5) A blood Sacrifice. But “faith” is an important word because this is what our salvation is based on as in Gal 3:11, Eph 2:8, and in other places in His word. There is No sacrifice or offering that can be made can do what Jesus did for us on the cross. He did this to remove the sins of the world for those who receive Him (John 1:12-13).
Faith in the Bible: 247 times { Twice in the Old Testament }
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith (Deut 33:20).
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith (Hab 2:4).
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Rom 1:17).
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith (Gal 3:11).
Jesus is spoke of in 66 of the 66 books of the Bible. One has to have read the Bible in its entirety to know this. It is highly unlikely that three people who know each other, are likely to sit down and agree entirely on any subject let alone 40 writers from different backgrounds in different places. Faith is the operative word for our belief structure. When we (as followers of Christ) place our faith in Him and His sacrifice for humanity, we quickly understand that “faith” is a “must” to live in Christ. We are saved through faith. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Eph 2:8). The next verse goes on to say, “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:9). There is nothing we can do of ourselves to bring about salvation. No work can save us and that includes the ‘fruitless work’ of ‘infant baptism’ brought to us by the Catholic religion in the 3rd century (never had this been done before – babies cannot confess as in Rom 10:9, Acts 10:43,47). It is by faith that we please Him. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Heb 11:6).
Over 106 people in the world die every minute and many do not know where they will spend eternity.* I am a sinner like everyone of us on earth. However, when I repented (Lk 13:3) of my sins and surrendered my life to Him (Jn 1:12-13), HE saved me from an everlasting life in hell. I asked for forgiveness and invited Jesus into my heart. I do know where I will spend eternity. Many have mocked me about that, but Jesus changed my life completely. I became a new man (2 Cor 5:17). God gave me a peace in my life and joy even though I still go through problems like everyone else. That’s my testimony. My story. He forgave all the bad things I did in my life and ‘cleaned the slate’ so to speak. I was “born again” (John 3:3) and “washed in the blood” of the Lamb, who is Jesus. I am “heaven bound.” Many of my relatives and friends still don’t respect me or even recognize me.
I know of many one time ‘self-proclaimed’ atheists who have given their hearts to Christ and have served with distinction as soldiers of Christ. C.S. Lewis, Lee Stroebel, Jennifer Fulwiler, and many more notable atheists have given their lives to Christ and are now serving as ‘saints’ or brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. They too hated the word “religion” as many of us do the way it is used. I am not religious, but simply follower of Christ. Religions have destroyed people. Islam, Bhudism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Mormonism, and hundreds more are "religions" so it hurts my ears when I hear of "followers of Christ" being classified as a religion. I am now and will be a follower of Christ for the rest of my life on earth.
If you still won't believe, that's your choice.
Friend, I could give you hundreds of scriptures and testimonies but a relationship with Christ is a personal one - just between you and God. There is one thing you do need to know though, Jesus loves you. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Thank you for reading this completely. I appreciate that. And I will not "belittle" you. But, when you get to the point in your life where you have no where to turn to, trust Jesus. He will listen. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved (Rom 10:13). That’s a promise. Try it. He will change your life. He changed mine.
* Every Minute (60 seconds), there are over 106 people who will die in the world, and head off into eternity.
(https://www.medindia.net/patients/calculators/world-death-clock.asp)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved
(read Rom 10:9-17) .
Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • iamnotashamed.com
Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • God bless and bless GOD
