Either, there is God or there is not God. How can Joe be convinced of which statement is true and which is false? However, upon one of these two statements his world view is determined.
Joe’s verdict about the existence or the non-existence of God is not dependent upon what Joe thinks or says. He may say there is God with all sincerity and conviction. But, if there is not God, all of Joe’s rhetoric and reason cannot create God. The same is true if Joe swears God is not.
God’s existence or non-existence does not depend upon what anybody wants to think or boldly proclaim. There is God, or there is not God. There may be many objects or personalities claiming to be a god. But, there can only be one God which is Supreme over all man, over what man fashions with his intellect or hands, over animals, over plants, and over whatever else exists.
God is the Most High, Ultimate, Timeless (for if limited by time, time would be most high), All-powerful (if not, whatever exceeded his power would be Supreme), All-knowing (if not, you are right, the more knowing must be Supreme), All-present (anything capable of limiting His presence would be greater than Him), Truth (if not, the contradiction would make deception greater), Love, (which builds-up rather than destroys), the First without beginning, and the Last without end, the Eternal. There may be lessor gods trying to usurp the position of God. Joe may choose from among men, from among all which men have invented or fashioned with their minds or hands, from among the animals, from among the plants, from among the sun, moon and stars.
There is no end to what Joe may choose to be god. But, there can only be one that truly is God. I would add that all others are limited by time and therefore time would be greater than any god that Joe would select. However, time cannot be God because time must be measured and the standard for measurement would be greater than time. Measureless time could be considered, but time cannot be without beginning or end. Time is the choice of many of Joe’s friends. Their universe rests upon the length of time marking the beginning of the Big Bang or some other cataclysmic event which released the energy for the beginning of life and the future however long that may be. However, the elements which released the energy would be greater than time for without the elements, time would have no beginning. Time is a poor choice for a god. Perhaps the elements would be a better choice. However, the energy contained in the elements is more powerful than the element itself. Without that energy the Big Bang or other cataclysmic event would not happen. And, even the energy would be restrained until the Big Bang. That would make the restraining power greater than the energy. But a power greater than the restraining power of energy must have been first in order to place the restraint upon energy.
Poor Joe, he says that there is God. He is convinced that all that exists is subject to the whims of God. Joe says, "A Supreme God who revealed himself would be more desirable than a Supreme God who ruled without giving a clue as to his expectations. A Supreme God who ruled in a chaotic, disorderly manner would not be acceptable. Therefore,"he says, "I would look for God to reveal his expectations in a manner which displays a constant, dependable order." Joe says, "There is God." But, if Joe does not or cannot, satisfy the expectations of Supreme God, he is at God’s disposal. For what All-powerful God would allow Joe to become superior to him by disobedience?
The wrath of Supreme God is justifiable upon anybody who ignorantly or willfully challenges His authority. Likewise, His favor is justifiable upon those who respect and pursue His expectations. Joe did not say, "I believe in a god." Or, "I acknowledge there is a god." He did say, "I believe God." Or, "I acknowledge God." To believe, or believing implies trust upon, commitment to, a dependable (which is open for interpretation) object or being, in Joe’s case, the Supreme God.
Joe cannot trust a god, or any god. He can trust God. Neither does Joe acknowledge just any god. He only acknowledges the Supreme God. When he acknowledges God, Supreme, Ultimate, All-powerful, etc., he recognizes the identity of whom it is he acknowledges. Does this place an obligation upon Joe? Yes, Joe can choose to live like there is no God, although there is. Or, Joe can choose to live like there is God. In the first instance, Joe can choose to live the lie. In the second, Joe can choose to live the truth. I am interested in how Joe would live the truth.
When Joe responds truthfully to the statement that there is God, how then does he live? In the presence of a Supreme Power above all other forces, Joe is an almost insignificant player. When considering all the demonstrations of energy that surpass the human ability, Joe comes far short. There are the winds, the lightning, volcanoes and earthquakes. There are hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, and ocean currents. There are the sun and the stars, the nuclear bomb and gravity. Joe cannot imitate nor approach the powers of nature, let alone God. Still Joe says, "There is power greater than all these. It is God. I live in that presence of Supreme Power. I will respect, honor, submit, and praise God whether driven by fear or in response to God’s love. "There is God, the All-knowing. I will search for wisdom and knowledge in comprehending the incomprehensible. For I can know in part, but never be all-knowing. If so, I would be more knowing than God which is not possible according to the criteria of God. I will humbly seek to understand His ways realizing that complete understanding is beyond me."
"There is God, All-present. Where can I hide? He is in the mountains, above the clouds, under the sea; in the forest, above the stars, under the sod. He is ever and everywhere present at all times. I can hide no secret for He is at my side. I can travel to the ends of the earth and the universe and He is still at my side. And, more than that, He abides within me. I will tell him my hopes, my hurts and my happiness. Confess my sins, my failures and my arrogance. "There is God, Truth. In God there is no deceit, no tricks, no contradictions. How can I be less than honest, open, and transparent, especially in relationship with God? And, then if I be that way with All-powerful, All-knowing, All-present, Supreme Truth, God, why should I be less with fellow man?
"There is God. I must reflect his character in all of life. It is Love, I must love as He does. It is Eternal. I must live with eternity in mind. "But, I often fail to reflect his character. What should I expect. I am not God. Only he can be all of the above. He is more than that. Love came down to be born of woman, live among men yet fully God. The Perfect died on a cross for all those who are not. The Eternal submitted to death, was buried three days before He overcame the power of death to walk and talk among men for a time and then ascended into the heavens while men and women watched. The Eternal, the Perfect, All-powerful, All-knowing, Love did it for me. I will cling to him that he might bring me into the presence of the Most High, God.
"There is God." Joe says. "May my life be a reflection of Him."
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