How doth it appear that there is a God?
The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.
God is not concerned with any man’s claim that He doesn’t exist. God is too big to be concerned that His creation is confused about His existence. Humanity is the only group of God’s creation that is “so smart” that they think it’s optional to bow before their creator God. God rests in His work as amply able to demonstrate how unsmart, the smart are when they refuse to bow before Him in worship.
It is, moreover, to be observed, that though they {mankind} struggle with their own convictions, and would fain not only banish God from their minds, but from heaven also, their stupefaction is never so complete as to secure them from being occasionally dragged before the divine tribunal. Still, as no fear restrains them from rushing violently in the face of God, so long as they are hurried on by that blind impulse, it cannot be denied that their prevailing state of mind in regard to him is brutish oblivion.
– John Calvin, Institutes of Christian Religion chapter 4
The Scripture directs man in his brutish oblivion to two sources in creation: 1) themselves 2) everything else.
Romans 1:19–20 (NASB): “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
So it seems God is not concerned with reports that He is dead. Claims made by those of the choicest brutish oblivion. He knows He is not and any that claim He is have a real problem ahead. Ask any dumb ole rock or shout out to the heavens, they will tell you.
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.” Psalm 19:1–3 (NASB).
Man is sufficiently made aware in what God has made that God is not unjust when on account of His works He judges and condemns His creation to an awful end. For everyday and every second of their life was lived “in Him {they} live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’” This same apostle, Paul, had an interest in helping us to know more than what we could observe and discover about God from His creations.
In fact there is far more than the observable at play in each of our lives. To limit the world to the observable parts is to completely miss the really important things. Paul says, “but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the human heart, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.”
The eye and the hand cannot see or grasp onto eternity. The child of God needs spiritual eyes and spiritual hands to see and hold the blessings of God. The Spirit is at work well beyond the observable and tangible universe to reveal to us the Heavens and the earth made new through the one who created it to begin with.
“Although the Holy Scriptures contain a perfect doctrine, to which nothing can be added—our Lord having been pleased therein to unfold the infinite treasures of his wisdom—still every person, not intimately acquainted with them, stands in need of some guidance and direction, as to what he ought to look for in them, that he may not wander up and down, but pursue a certain path, and so attain the end to which the Holy Spirit invites him.”
– John Calvin, prefixed to the French edition of the Institutes of the Christian Religion, published at Geneva in 1545.
The operation of bringing life to the dead and rebellious soul is a matter of Spirit work and not in the capacity of man to do for himself. Paul tells us of this miraculous work, “from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15–17 The Spirit uses the Father’s Word concerning His Son, as an effective tool in calling a dead heart to life.
All those who have been brought to life then have this new reality that was promised in the prophet Isaiah 59:21
“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from now and forever.”
This is a true, new, beginning. A new creation like the first which was brought about by the work of the same Spirit that hovered over the dark waters in Gen 1:1-3. Jesus has done this for you and for me. The God of all creation is making you a new creation in His Son, the Last Adam and the faithful and obedient One by whom Life has been won.
Soli Deo Gloria
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