I Am Not God

By Joe Keim

November 1, 2022

Nowhere in the Old and New Testament does a  passage of scripture prove God’s existence. It’s not there. You cannot find it. If someone said, “Show me the verse that proves there is a God,” you would not be able to point to one. The Bible does not offer a single bit of proof that God exists.  

When I first heard those statements, I wanted to prove my friend wrong and began searching the Old and New Testament for proof of God’s existence. I was sure my friend was wrong and that I would find a verse of scripture to prove it. But I found none - not a single verse of scripture that proved God’s existence.

If there is not a single verse in the Bible that proves God’s existence, why do most people believe that God  exists?

I believe we could answer that question by turning to the first verse in the Old Testament. There it says, “In the beginning … God … created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Later in the New Testament, the writer states, “And Thou, … Lord …, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands” (Hebrews 1:10). Furthermore, Old Testament writers state at least 2,800 times, “For thus saith the Lord…”

Are the statements we just read from Genesis, Hebrews, and throughout the Old Testament enough for you to believe that God exists? If not, you can close this up and go on about your life.  The rest of this article is for people who, by faith, and faith alone, believe that the previous statements are true, and that God—everlasting, all powerful, all knowing, Creator of the universe, and all that is in it–does exist.

Consider the following passages of scripture.

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God…” (Hebrews 11:3).

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is…” (Hebrews 11:6).

Many people struggle to believe by faith. Even people who have been born again for years and have read the Bible through many times still struggle to believe by faith. Oh, they may say they have faith, but when the rubber meets the road – life gets tough and they lose control – fear and doubt take over, and faith flees right out the window. 

When the disciples informed Thomas (John 20) that they had been with the resurrected Lord, he responded, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas had to see with his own eyes before he would believe Jesus had risen from the grave. But as you and I know, faith is believing in something we have not seen. That is why we call it faith.

In John 20:27-29, Jesus shows up, and He turns to Thomas and says, “Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord, and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

There are three reasons why people doubt God’s existence:

1. People don’t believe God exists, because they can’t see Him.

The Bible tells us the hidden and invisible things of God are clearly seen when one looks at creation. 

“For the invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

David expressed his faith in God when he looked out across the universe and then wrote these words: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork”  (Psalm 19:1).

The question we must ask ourselves is: Who made the sun that lights up the whole earth? Who hung the moon in outer space? Who made all those stars scattered throughout the vast and open universe? How about that baby that was born a minute ago? Must one see the Creator to believe? 

1. People don’t believe God exists, because of the consequences of believing.

First, I can’t think of a more selfish reason to block God out. Someday, that unbeliever will come face to face with reality. Why wait until it’s too late. Why not just give up the selfish attitude and surrender to God?

Think with me.  When someone creates a book, he or she becomes the author of that book and has authority over it. The same holds true for God. If God exists and He made everything, then He has the right to rule His creation, including all the people in it.

1. People don’t believe God exists, because they want to do as they please.

The problem with people doing as they please is that their choices result in complete and total chaos. Romans 1:28-30 says that people who refuse to retain God in their knowledge are handed over to a reprobate (good for nothing) mind. At that point, their world turns into a complete and chaotic mess. Verse 28-30 says they become filled with unrighteousness and turn to utter wickedness. 

Because God created all things, He alone possesses power and privileges that are only His and no one else’s. 

Daniel 4:35 says, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed [presumed] as nothing: and He doeth according to His will  in the army of heaven, and  among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay (restrain) His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?”

Before we move on, let’s ask ourselves the following questions:

1. Do I believe that God has the power to control everything in creation?
2. Are there things that (I think) escape His attention? 

Because God created ALL things, He ALONE has the RIGHT to determine a set of rules for all people and judge all people by His standards.

The Apostle Paul must have been thinking about God’s set of rules for mankind when he asked himself the following questions: 

• “Nay but, O man, who art thou that replies against God?“
• “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus?”
• “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and  another unto dishonor?”

(Romans 9:20-21)

Here are two more questions for us to ponder:

1. Do I believe God alone has the right to decide a set of rules for mankind?
2. Do I believe God alone has the right to judge every person in the world?

Because God created all things, He alone deserves the praise of all creation.

John writes in Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

King David goes on to say:

• "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker" (Psalm 95:6).
• "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth" (Psalm 96:9).

Up to this point, we have covered the following truths and facts about God:

1. Only God has the power to control all things.  He is completely independent and needs help from no one.
2. Only God has the right to judge all things, determine standards, and reject those who are not obedient to those standards.
3. Only God deserves all praise, worship, and approval from all things He created.

Though God is the only one who has the power to control, the right to judge, and deserves all praise, there are others who have tried to steal those rights. It started with none other than Satan himself. Consider the words of Isaiah 14:12-14. He writes:

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Here is what Satan said from the above verses…

• I will ascend into heaven… It sounds like he wants to take control and do what he pleases.
• I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… It sounds like he wants people to bow at his throne and praise him.
• I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation… It sounds like he wants to rule and judge from a seat of authority.
• I will be like the most High… It sounds like he wants to push God out of the way and take His place.

Satan's sin wasn’t hatred for God, but envy and jealousy toward God. He wanted to be like God (Isaiah 14:14). Satan was not content with who God created him to be. He wanted all the praise and glory for himself (Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11).

Trying to be like God did not end with Satan. Satan (in the form of a serpent) successfully tempted Adam and Eve to follow his rebellion of trying to be like God. Let’s read it. 

Genesis 3:4-5 says: “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods (God), knowing good and evil.”

QUESTION: Who else do you know that has been deceived into thinking he or she could assume the rights of God?  Why don’t we take a moment and answer the following questions?

1. Does it bother you when you are not in control?
2. Does it bother you when things don’t go your way?
3. Do you have trouble asking for help?
4. Do you get impatient when people don’t do things right?
5. Does it upset you when you don’t get good service?
6. Do you try to change people?
7. Do you look for approval or thanks from others?
8. Do you try to keep people happy?
9. Do you reject people who mistreat you?

 

1. Man tries to CONTROL PEOPLE, but only God possesses that kind of power!!!

Once again, the prophet Isaiah writes in chapter 40:22-25:

“It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”

2. Man tries to CONTROL the OUTCOME of things, but only God possesses that kind of power!!!

The attempt to control things that are beyond your control only produces anxiety and worry. Trying to control people will only stress you out and bring about sleepless nights. You’ve been there. You know what I’m talking about. In the end, it does nothing for you. Jesus said in Matthew 6:27: “Which of you by taking thought [anxious] can add one cubit [second] unto his stature [life]?”

If you are bothered when things don’t go your way, it reveals that you think God isn’t doing things right.

In Job 40, the Lord appeared to Job out of a whirlwind and demanded Job to brace himself like a man. Then God asked Job, “Are you calling Me a sinner so you can look more like a saint? If so, I will gladly step aside and hand things over to you—that is, if you think you can save yourself with no help from Me!”

 

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