Apologetics
By Lynn E. Sheldon
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Job 13:15 NIV
What do Christians have that atheists do not? We have hope. Well, let me clarify this statement before I go on.
By this I mean we have hope in something greater than ourselves. We have hope in Christ, the “Rock” of our salvation.
This is much different than those who do not believe in God. Their hope is in dust. This is true. By this, I mean they hope there is no judgment after their life is through. So, they say there is no God and when we die, we become dust.
Why people buy into this nonsense, I may never know. However, I can take an educated guess. They hope in dust so they can live the life they want to live without any worry about a Creator or final judgment. Thus, to avoid these, they deny God, say there is no hell and declare their final resting place to be dust—that’s where their hope for eternity lies.
One of the greatest needs for mankind is the need to have hope. Hope keeps us alive. It gives the mother of the sick child the ability to go one more day, hoping for a miracle from God or the right medicine to heal the child.
Hope gives believers a place to put their faith. Faith in a higher power, someone who can guide us into all truth. Faith in the One who created us set us free from sin and gave us a pardon from judgment.
Yes, our faith is not in dust, but in the “Rock.” It is with Christ. He is our hope and our salvation.
In Job 11:18 we read, “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.”
Job longed for this kind of hope. Hope, where he could rest and remain secure.
This kind only comes through Christ. Although Job never knew Christ, God called him a righteous man. And while God would test Job, one He would preserve Job for all eternity because He believed God and honored His ways.
Job says, “If the only home I hope for is the grave, if I spread out my bed in darkness, if I say to corruption, 'You are my father,' and to the worm, 'My mother' or 'My sister,' where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?” (Job 17:13-15)
Job understood what it felt like to lose all earthly hope. He proclaimed, “…where then is my hope?” For everything, but his wife was gone. However, even in the midst of all his troubles, Job knew where to place his hope. Job’s wife, who did not have his deep faith, told him to “curse God and die.” But Job refused. He said if the Lord slays me, I will not curse God. I will follow Him.
Imagine you’re at this exhibit where the atheists have a booth and the Christians have a booth. And you are trying to decide which plan to follow in your life. The Christians talk about the glory, how special human beings are to God, the afterlife, the love, the forgiveness, Christ’s death and resurrection, and a pardon from hell. How we have a sure foundation, a “Rock” to stand on.
All this sounds very good. However, you have one more stop and it is the atheist’s booth. There you hear about science and all the theories that they say disprove God. You hear about how man is no better than any other creature. You hear there is no God and your life will return to dust one day. Now you have to make a decision, “dust” or the “Rock.”
Again, I ask what could possibly attract people to atheism? I cannot figure it out. They have nothing beyond this world. No prayer life, no higher power to guide them, no truth to stand on, other than scientific theories that will mean nothing once they are in the ground and face judgment. They live without hope. Oh, they may have hope in this world, but beyond this world, there is nothing for them. For they deny the truth and live in an alternative reality where they believe no afterlife exists.
Unfortunately for them, their theories about creation have no foundation in truth. And neither does their hope in dust. Both are empty suppositions, based on lies, built on false premises and secured by a hope beyond probability that will one day crumble before our Lord Jesus.
Job had hope in God’s plan for his life. He knew he could not leave this world without a pardon for his sins. Where is your hope? Is it in the “Rock,” Jesus Christ, who came to this earth, died for your sins and rose again? The One who forgives you and offers you mercy and a life beyond the grave. The One who came so you might have hope, joy and life-eternal? Or is your hope in dust?
As for my house and me, we choose the “Rock.”
Copyright 2008
Discipleship Programs|Studies
For other articles by Lynn visit: http://godfire.org
Author writes articles and study materials to train and equip believers, so they may train others about our faith in Christ.
e-mail: [email protected]
The Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright and Usage Information, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered requires the permission of International Bible Society.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
I choose Christ, i cannot imagine only having myself to believe in. WONDERFUL ARTICLE !
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1059 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Lynn Sheldon or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1059 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.