Ignoring God’s Plain Truth

June 26, 2016 Background Scripture: Romans 1:18 – 32 Lesson Passage: Romans 1:18 – 32 It has been noted that professionals who are trained in the physical sciences are more likely to come to believing faith than a person whose occupation is in the social sciences. It is difficult to observe the physical world closely without finding oneself in awe. From the grandest mountains and deepest ocean canyons to the innumerable stars and galaxies, the sheer vastness of the universe is hard to fathom. Yet the microscopic environment of life forms and lifeless atoms and molecules that hold everything together physically is just as vast and awe inspiring. When we are no longer impressed by what we can see around us, the telescope brings larger than life objects within view that are relatively close to us and hint at others that are too far for the telescope’s reach. Likewise, the microscope magnifies some of the seemingly invisible and makes them visible so we can observe them and the evidence that shows that there are other objects that remain invisible even to the microscope. Whether it is what we can see or what we cannot see unaided, the evidence of the physical sciences suggest the work and presence of an intelligent being who is still somehow actively involved in His own creation. There is an old adage that if you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he didn’t get there by himself. In other words, some evidence is so striking that it should produce a conclusion that is obvious—or as we sometimes say “as plain as the nose on your face”. The earth has more evidence than one should need to begin to seek God. The evidence within the universe beyond this world is even more overwhelming. With so much evidence around us, the only theological discussion should be questions as to the person of God. There should be no discussion relative to the existence of God. In spite of all the evidence available, there are still many who question God’s existence. The conclusion by the Apostle Paul is that they are without excuse. Long before the apostle’s statement, the psalmist wrote that the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. With so much evidence pointing towards God, where then is the place of faith? In spite of and in light of the physical evidence, faith gives us the assurance of that we do not see. God is spirit. Jesus said the Spirit is like the wind. We cannot see the wind but we can tell by the evidence when it comes through and when it has passed through. We cannot always say where the wind came from or where it goes when it leaves us. However, we are always sure when we have been affected by the wind. The evidence for the existence of wind cannot be denied. We readily accept that the wind does exist. Why then do questions of God’s existence remain? The wind makes no moral demands of us. The wind doesn’t force us to examine ourselves and then look at the options placed before us. God is a living being who has created everything. We know that God is by the things that are. It’s as plain as the nose on your face. Why ignore God’s plain truth? Robert C. Hudson June 8, 2016