Unbelievers are a strange lot, thinking they understand God when they know so little of the Bible message that they make themselves look foolish when they attempt to argue with Christians. A letter to Voices, 04-21-2008, expressed a total lack of knowledge of the message.

In the first sentence, the writer proclaimed something about an excuse to prove that there is a God is old and naïve. (Would someone figure out what he means?) The truth is that Christians don’t have to prove God exists; it is the unbeliever’s task to prove he doesn’t and that is one they can’t do no matter how hard they may try.

The writer said that he and another person weren’t blind, as they know what is around them. They must not be looking very hard or they would see the evidence of God everywhere in nature and in the lives of those who are dedicated to the deeds that are done due to following Christ. In the Old Testament, we read in Psalms 19:1, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Has the writer and his friend not looked into outer space and wondered in awe at the order of the planets? Has he not seen the beautiful order in a snowflake or a flower, or a leaf to name a few of God’s beautiful items in his creation? Did he not see the work done by believers to help those in need due to the terrible storms in Arkansas during the late winter and early spring? The one who claims to know what is going on around him must be looking with closed eyes. He said he wasn’t blind, meaning physically, but he is spiritually blind. The current letter and the previous ones he has written testify to that fact.

Then we read in the Bible the reason for doing the good deeds. Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) The good works are done for the benefit of others, not self. That is why they are called good works as the works show the believer’s faith in Christ. Paul said in Galatians 6:10: As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.  When one goes about doing good, let it be as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:17: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  .

He told a story about a preacher telling an Indian about Jesus and the Indian said he wanted something to eat. If the story is true, (I have my doubts since unbelievers make up things to discredit believers) the preacher missed the point but so did the letter writer. If he (letter writer) knew the Bible at all, he would know that the order is to minister to the most pressing need first. Sometimes the physical need must be addressed before the spiritual food is given. An example is the Samaritan (Luke 10:33) who ministered to the physical need of the man who had fallen victim to the thieves.

A question asked by the writer follows:  “But what I would like to know is what God he (reference to another writer) is talking about.” To tell you the truth I would like to know what the letter writer under discussion was writing about too. He made no sense at all.

Then he wrote the following. (Quote) There are millions of people in this world who are starving. They don’t want Jesus Christ, They want food for their belly. Now tell me these people are going to Hell for not believing. (Unquote) Yes, there are millions starving and if he would open his eyes, he would see that Christians are helping to alleviate the hunger in many countries. They also tell the masses about Jesus and his saving power so they won’t “go to Hell” for unbelief providing they obey the gospel.

Whether one is hungry or well fed, the relationship a person has with God will be determined by the individual’s belief or unbelief in Christ. John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  Instead of the writer complaining about believers not doing as he thinks they should do, it would be much better if he opened the Bible and began a study to find out his responsibilities toward God and what God would have him do to minister to the needs of others.

04-21-2008 DEC