Interesting Questions-56

"Who is the Creator?"

Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, November 2006, p.2

I HAVE BEEN bothered by a major problem which started when I read a book advocating atheism. This book influenced my beliefs to the point that I questioned the existence of God.

Atheism really shook me and hurt me inside, for it made me think that all the years of my life were worthless. Now, I am thankful that after a long time of research and rationalization, I am now able to prove to myself and to anyone that a Creator absolutely exists.

But my personal crisis is not yet over. My major problem now concerns discovering who the Creator really is. This is the same problem discussed in the book, "Friend, You Are Not God" written by Jagad Guru, which I was able to read. Isn't it possible that:

1. You are, in reality, the Creator and you just created the universe to be able to play in it? You deliberately forgot your true identity to convince yourself that you are not God because you want to play as a creature and not as a Creator;

2. Some intelligent beings from other galaxies created or manipulated you and put you in this world to play with you or to experiment on you?

The Bible says that God created the universe and everything in it.  I prefer this Bible theory (at least at present) to the two other theories mentioned above because I know it is nearer to the truth. At least this declaration by the Bible is, say 90% possible compared to the two other theories which are, say, only 10% possible. But I don't want to find myself choosing the Bible's declaration just because it is the best among the possible theories but because it is the undeniable truth.

This is my problem. Although the Bible's statement is nearer to the truth, the matter is I can't absolutely prove it.

Also, How can I serve my God with my whole heart, mind, body, and soul if in the first place I have doubts on who He really is?

I said that the Bible's statement is, say, 90% possible. Hence, at least, I have a little faith in the biblical passage. If you would call that faith, would a little faith like mine be enough for me to be saved come Judgment Day?

Name withheld

Editor's reply:

We are glad that you believe God exists. Indeed, all the living and the vast universe were created by the powerful hands of God.

The Bible teaches who the Creator is. The prophets introduced Him, thus:

"Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?" (Mal.  2:10, New International Version)

"No one has ever seen or heard of a God like you, who does such deeds for those who put their hope in him. But you are our father, Lord. We are like clay, and you are like the potter. You created us." (Is. 64:4,8, Today's English Version)

The prophets stated that the Father is the only true God or Creator. The Lord Jesus Christ attested to this:

''And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God....     "Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: 'Father, the hour has come'." (Jn. 17:3, 1, New King James Version)

Even the apostles confirmed that-

"Yet for us there is for us but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live." (I Cor. 8:6, NIV)

With regard to nature, God is spirit, that is, He does not have flesh and bones (cf. Jn. 4:24; Lk. 24:38-39) and thus, He cannot be seen. Yet, why must we believe that God  exists even though He cannot be perceived by our senses?

"Ever sine God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen;  They are perceived in the things that God has made.  So those people have no excuse at all!" (Rom. 1:20, TEV)

Whatever doubts, then, that you still have in your mind should be replaced  by a solid faith that the Father is the One who created us. God rewards those who have full faith in Him,.

"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." (Heb. 11:6, NIV)

On the other hand, what is God's judgment on those do not have faith?

"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake  of burning sulfur. This is the second death."  (Rev. 21:8, NIV)

Faith, then, is a very important requirement for salvation. But the faith that will save us is that which is coupled with works (cf. Js, 2:22), for without work, faith, is dead (cf. ]s. 2:17).

Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? (James 2:22, NKJV)

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:17, NKJV)

Which work is this? This is the will of God that all men be gathered in Christ (cf. Mt. 7:21, Eph. 1:9-10).

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21, NKJV)

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10, NKJV)

How can men be gathered in Christ?  This is by becoming members of the one body which is the Church headed by Christ (cf. Rom. 12:4-5;  Col. 1:18)—the Church of Christ  (cf. Acts 20:28, Lamsa).

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:4-5, NKJV)

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18, NKJV)

"Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,  to feed the Church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood."  (Acts 20:28, Lamsa)

Indeed, faith in God is very important. But, having faith in Him is proven by our submission and obedience to His will.

___________________

Note: Verses in smaller font were added for clarity.

Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.