In the natural realm,
we do not have to know a person in order to believe in his existence and his accomplishments;
we do not have to experience something in order to believe it is true;
we do not have to visit a place in order to believe it is real.
Therefore, we should not be surprised when God enables us, in the spiritual realm;
to believe in heaven;
to believe in the experience of salvation;
to believe in Jesus Christ, Who died for our sin, rose again for our justification and empowers us by His Spirit to live righteously in this present evil world.
Isaiah 1:18
(18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Acts 18:4
(4) And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
1 Corinthians 8:5-6
(5) For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
(6) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
This is kind of interesting. The many gods of the pagans are inadequate for our needs,
but our One (1 Co. 8:6),
True (Jn. 17:3; 1 Th. 1:9; 1 Jn. 5:20), and
Living (Ps. 42:2; 84:2; Je. 10:10; Da. 6:20; Mt. 16:16; 2 Co. 6:16; 1 Ti. 4:10; He. 3:12),
God is our All in all (1 Co. 15:28).
He gives us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pe. 1:3).
By the way, if you have the time, check out this series of verses. There are many more, but these few give us a good look at the uniqueness of our God.
By the way, if you have the time, check out this series of verses. There are many more, but these few give us a good look at the uniqueness of our God.
1 Corinthians 8:6
(6) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
John 17:3
(3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
1 Thessalonians 1:9
(9) For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
1 John 5:20
(20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Psalms 42:2
(2) My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Psalms 84:2
(2) My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Jeremiah 10:10
(10) But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Daniel 6:20
(20) And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
Matthew 16:17
(17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
2 Corinthians 6:18
(18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
1 Timothy 4:10
(10) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
Hebrews 3:12
(12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
1 Corinthians 15:28
(28) And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
2 Peter 1:3
(3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
