Showing posts with label "Belief". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "Belief". Show all posts

Thursday 12 April 2018

Belief

Belief
The Apostle Peter writes,
“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  
They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”  
But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.  
By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.  
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”2 Peter 3:3-10
Peter here warns the church that in the last days scoffers will arise ridiculing what believers in Christ Jesus believe. They will mockingly ask where is Christ. Why hasn’t he returned. Such things are happening today.
Peter however points out that it’s not that Jesus will not return or that God does not exist. It is because God is patient. He wants to give everyone a chance to receive the saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ.
The key to accepting the grace of God is that you must first be looking and acknowledge that God exists. That takes faith.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 
and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                              Hebrews 11:1
“And 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 11:6.
For some people having faith in something they cannot see, especially when it come to God is a very difficult thing.
It is easy to believe in something you can see feel or smell. It is much harder to believe in something you cannot see.
Still God does show us He is around. The psalmist said,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; 
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 
Day after day they pour forth speech; 
night after night they display knowledge. 
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 
                                                                                       Psalm 19:1-3.
Even science is starting to show us that the Universe was indeed created.
Dr. Arno Penzias 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics stated,
“Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with a very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life and one which has an underlying (one might say ‘supernatural’) plan.”
The late Stephen Hawking one of the greatest minds of our generation said, “It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us,” Stephen Hawking.
Sadly however no matter how much proof is given to some people they still will not believe in God. That however is their choice. A choice given to them by God.
It is a choice you the reader must make. For there will come a time when Christ will return.
If the apostle Peter is right and I believe he is “...the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” 2 Peter 3:10
The question thus becomes if Christ were to return today where would you be?
Please think about it.