Apologetics
When we think of life today, we often times only consider the animation of the physical body as if that is what really constitutes life. Throughout the centuries some of mankind’s greatest thinkers have pondered and studied tirelessly trying to resolve in their minds where we came from? And what is this life hear on earth all about?
The idea of evolution reared its convincing, but ugly head as far back as the 1700's and it got its sad but legitimate acceptance in humanity from the work of a man named Charles Darwin. He wanted an explanation for his existence on earth that would entirely divorce itself from any thought of a god or the God who was responsible for it all. Therefore, quite ignorantly he set out to prove that man was not created by some higher intelligence but that man over a long period of time evolved from a lower intelligence to his present state today. He wanted to believe that man's animal instinct were do to the fact that he came into existence from an animal.
The word evolved means to under go some sort of development or change that will produce something new or different. The word evolution is defined as a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage). If you really sit down and think hard about the concept of evolution, it takes much more faith to believe it than to believe in God. Now faith means to believe or trust something to be true without actually having physical evidence or proof.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (Quick Amplified Bible)
How can something that has little or no intelligence evolve into something with great intelligence? Get my point. If a person is inclined to believe that evolution is responsible for the origin of man, then the writers and producers of the movie series “Planet of the Apes” are perhaps to be taken seriously. These movies depict a time out in the future when the apes will surpass man in intelligence and take control over all created beings and be the higher form of intelligence. Why, if evolution is the process by which man's superiority over all other animals came into existence, then why can't the process happen again only this time in reverse? If you hold to the theory of evolution, you might want to think very strongly about the statements made in the previous sentence.
The highest form of life upon this earth was not and is not through some scientific process or can it be solved or discovered by some mathematical formula or equation. Nor can any human research ever give us the answer. Man was created by an intelligence, a supreme intelligence (Almighty God, Jehovah) far superior to his and therefore he will never be able to understand (by using his own intellect) how he came into existence.
Well this has left men throughout time puzzled and baffled by their lack of understanding or comprehension. You see man wants to understand everything before he can believe anything. Faith is the absolute opposite to understanding. Faith requires complete and total surrender of ones understanding. This is why we have had so many outlandish theories and concepts passed down century after century.
The Bible has clearly given man the answer to the questions that has plagued him since his beginning. However, because of man's fallen and corrupt nature, he has been toiling and laboring endlessly to disprove the Bible. Why does man want to disprove this book? There are many reasons. I feel the primary reason man has for destroying this book is because it clearly spells out for us our lost and very sinful condition. Man does not want anyone to rule over him therefore, he must prove to himself that there really is no God. This frees everyman to be or have whatever his sinful corrupt heart desires. The Bible (the book man wants to disprove) tells that the children of Israel were given over to such a heart.
Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (KJV)
This is what the heart of everyman desires. If there is no rock solid standard of what is right and of what is wrong, what or who will govern our actions? The Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He wants to gain entrance to every human heart to rule and reign. When the Lord Jesus Christ does not sit on the throne of a heart then what is expressed in Judges 17:6 is the result. Everyman will absolutely do what is right to him.
Today we have an overwhelming acceptance of relativism, which is a philosophical doctrine that all criteria of judgment are relative to the individuals and situations involved. If any individual espouses this belief system to men and women (who do not know God) today it is easily accepted. It absolves us from the responsibility of the sinful desires lurking in every one of our hearts. We can now rationalize any form of behavior we choose by saying that it is right for me but may not be right for you and thereby we destroy any possibility of absolute truth. The fact of the matter is that there is right and there is wrong and it applies universally to every human being no matter your culture or what part of the world you are located.
This influence is from the devil and he (the devil) wants man not to believe and trust in God. The devil knows his time as ruler on this earth is short and soon and very soon he will be banished into the Lake of Fire where he will be tormented day and night forever. Now this fact infuriates the devil and increases his hatred for Almighty God. Now he (the devil) knows that he cannot hurt, destroy, or harm Almighty God, so his objective on the earth during his remaining time is to hurt as many of God's created beings (man) as he possibly can in the time he has left. The devil does not know the future, so it is impossible for him to know when his end will come. The devils hatred for God leads him to be a roaring lion roaming about this earth seeking whom he may devour. This is done so that individual men will reject or resist God and follow him (that is continuing in their sin).
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin. (Quick Amplified Bible)
The devil is the originator of sin (this is why he was cast out of heaven) and he wants to lead as many men as possible into continued enslavement to sin. Pride was the devils sin and it is the chief sin of every man or woman that prevents them from receiving the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ. The devil wanted to exalt himself above Almighty God. What a fool and how utterly foolish.
Well, sin is attractive initially to man and it offers him much satisfaction and gratification but it is only for a season and afterwards the consequences are eternally damming. Let us not forget that God has told us in His Word that there is pleasure in sin for a season. The enemy (the devil) of God does not shop something that is ugly and vile to our fallen corrupt hearts. The hook has bait all the time. Now this is the power or unholy influence that has corrupted very intelligent men like Charles Darwin. There exist today very brilliant men and women (University Professors with Doctorate Degrees) who totally reject the idea of God and are extremely dogmatic about the theory of evolution. This brashness and blunt in your face hatred and rejection of God comes directly from Satan himself.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing and obscured [only] to those who are spiritually dying and veiled [only] to those who are lost. For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God. (Quick Amplified Bible)
This is the extreme tragedy that has plagued mankind from the fall in the Garden of Eden. Why has their always been such a hatred toward those who love God and love His Word? Well, the answer is found in the above verses of scripture. The devil hates God and he seeks anyone who will succumb to his lies about God, therefore blinding them to the truth and creating a staunch enemy of God in that individual. These people become the persecutors of all true believers. They don't realize that they are enemies of God because like Charles Darwin they refuse to believe or trust that He (God) truly exists. This mind that is cultivated in a person produces someone that can rationalize any behavior that he/she receives pleasure or fulfillment from over any period of time.
Romans 1:21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened. (Quick Amplified Bible)
This is the result of a mind/heart that denies or turns away from the truth God has placed in each man. This always seems to be the correct path to the individual, but tragically we see from the recorded words of some of the most popular, wealthy, and intelligent people who have ever lived that it never satisfies and at the end of their lives they are trying desperately to understand many times to no avail.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death. (Quick Amplified Bible)
That way that seems or appears right is the way of continuing in the indulgence of sin. It appears right because it comes so natural to our fallen corrupt nature.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. (Quick Amplified Bible)
Spiritual death was the instant result of mans fall in the Garden of Eden. Later the physical death of the body became evident. Truly the final way of death to those who remain blinded (by the god of this age) is eternal death. This is why such wealthy and powerful men like Adolph Hitler, Howard Hughes, and Ernest Hemingway come to the end of their natural lives on this earth in a state of distress, bitterness, and confusion.
The life that was breathed into Adam by God was the highest form of life for man. However, Adam through his rebellion lost that life and consequently everyone that came from him were born minus that life as well. What was that high form of life lost by Adam? The life that God gave man from his beginning was a life that had Him living inside man communicating to man's spirit producing a love and adoration for God and an obedience to Him in every aspect of man's life down here on the earth. What type of man brings glory to God? Is it a wealthy man? Is it a strong man? Is it a popular man? The answer to each of those questions is no. God gives us His answer to the question.
Psalm 24:3-6 Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Quick Amplified Bible)
Isaiah 66:1-2 Thus says the Lord: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house would you build for Me? And what kind can be My resting-place? For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands. (Quick Amplified Bible)
Well, I don't think there is anyway for anyone of us to miss-understand where God is coming from in this matter. How can man regain this life? There is but one way and that is through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary and man's faith/trust in that fact and in Him.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit. That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it--to the praise of His glory. (Quick Amplified Bible)
John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (Quick Amplified Bible)
This life that Christ refers to in John 10:10 is a life down here on earth that is superior in quality. The quantity of the earthly life in Christ is not significant. If a man lives to be 150 years old on the earth, but he dies and goes to hell, What does it matter how long he lived here, if forever he will be tormented. On the other hand if a man lives for only 18 years down here, but he has Christ and His superior in quality life, what does it matter how short a time he lived down here, if forever he will be comforted with Him.
The contrast is clear and absolutely without miss-understanding. What man is there on this earth that truly does not want this type of life? Every man or person who is honest with themselves desires this life that Christ only can give. If we look at the news from around the world, we can surely see that the overwhelming majority of men and women are not living this life promised in John 10:10. Why not? This life is only in Christ. How does one receive this life?
Well, Isaiah 66-2 above gives us a snap shot of the prerequisite required before a soul can get this life into themselves: 1) A humble person- A person must first be brought down to a low or inferior status. 2) A person must be of a broken or wounded spirit- The person must feel pain and sorrow over their own sin (no one else’s). They must lament over their own sin and be remorseful and mourn over their own sins to the point of wanting their sin removed from them. They must see their need for help or spiritual healing. This is true repentance or turning to God. A change of mind. 3) A person must come to Christ trembling at His Word- The Word of God must be sown in the heart of the person and they must be brought under conviction of their own personal sin against God by the Holy Spirit.
John 16:8-11 And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him. (Quick Amplified Bible)
You see the highest form of life does not come to the proud, arrogant, boastful, popular, or the rich, but it comes only to those who have for the first time in their life seen their need for deliverance from sin. Imagine standing today before the United Nations and announcing to them that you have found the answer to world peace and that you know how we can end all wars and fighting everywhere in the world. What do you think they would do? They would sit up and take notice initially about what your plan of action would be to bring about such desired results all over the earth. Then imagine as everyone was glued to their seats you spoke these very humble but penetrating words spoken by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:3-9 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. (NKJV)
Then at the end of these words you said, “Repent and trust Jesus Christ.” What do you think would happen? You would be removed from the room forcibly by armed security and probably arrested. The unregenerate heart of men all over this world does not want real peace, they each want to control. The peace their hearts seek after is a false peace and will never satisfy. All nations on the earth want the type of peace that will give them primary control over all of the earth’s natural resources to be distributed among the rest of the world as they see fit. Control is what the hearts of men without Christ want and not true peace, the kind that He only can bring to this world. The Lord promises to reward this type of peace with His hand of Judgment and not with prosperity.
Jeremiah 8:11-13 For they have healed the wound of the daughter of My people only lightly and slightingly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace. They are brought to shame because they have committed abominations (extremely disgusting and shamefully vile things). And yet they were not at all ashamed, nor could they blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time of their punishment they shall be overthrown, says the Lord. I will gather and sweep them away, utterly consuming them, says the Lord. [I will find] no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and even the leaf is withered; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them [for I have appointed to them those who shall pass over them]. (Quick Amplified Bible)
Christ has come and given us a way out of the lower form of life that is a result of Adams disobedience by giving His life for our life. Therefore, when we meet the Lord Jesus Christ at the cross (which is the only place sinful men and women can meet Him) He makes an exchange possible for everyone of us there (at the cross). The exchange is we bring Him our sin and He gives us His life. This is all freely given. As we stated earlier, this seems foolish to us when we are still in our natural condition, but through a supernatural miracle (the new birth) that none of us can explain, we receive His life into us a life that we never knew existed.
The Lord Jesus Christ so desperately wants all men to come to Him to receive His life. For all of us who have received Christ and are living this highest form of life by the power of the Holy Spirit, let us never take for granted this gift of salvation and let us pray without ceasing for many family, friends, and strangers to one day come face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ at His cross and receive “The Highest Form of Life.”
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author, Silent Assassins of the Soul (not yet published; coming soon)
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