Aren’t all gods God?

The question “Why do I need the God of the Bible?” is most often repeated in a scoffing way in today’s world. And quite often answered with: “I’m a good person! I’ve never killed anyone!”

Let’s check why we need God in our life.

Before we answer that I want to look at some other questions like:

“Does God even exist?”

Would a painting exist without the painter/creator of the painting? Of course not! In the same way the earth and life on earth can’t exist without a Creator/Designer.

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Psalm 19:1 (NKJV)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

John 1:1-5 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Then there is the notion that “God wouldn’t know my secret thoughts, would He?”

Let’s check out what God says about that:

Luke 16:15 (NLT)
Then He [Jesus] said to them [Pharisees], “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.”

Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes and He is the One to whom we are accountable.

God knows EVERYTHING!
He gave us a conscience and the knowledge of what is right or wrong!

What about lying?

We know when we tell a lie that we are doing wrong because God gave us the knowledge to discern between right and wrong, and the Holy Spirit makes us aware that we are lying.

However, if we keep telling lies and don’t listen to that small inner voice then over time the world will drown out this small voice by saying “everybody lies”. Well, that’s not true! Not everybody lies, or steals, or covets; and the list goes on.

How do we know right from wrong – again?

Hebrews 10:16b (KJV)  – the Lord says:
“I will put my law into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;”

What if I have sinned against God? Will He send me to hell?

First, we are all in the same boat; welcome to the club! Everyone has sinned against God in one way or another.

Romans 3:10 (NLT)
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one.”

Romans 3:23 (NLT)
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

And the consequences of sinning against God are judgment and damnation!

Hebrews 2:3 (NLT)
So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard Him speak?

So, there we are, condemned to hell already! But in Romans 6:23 we find “Good News” as we are given the option to go to heaven instead:

Romans 6:23 (NLT)
For the wages of sin is death [meaning eternal life in the lake of fire], but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

The “gift of eternal life”!

The “gift of eternal life”! Wow!
Who doesn’t want to live forever?
And on top of that in paradise!
And it’s free!

It’ a free gift but as it is with every gift, we have to accept it to become a gift.

Some may say that they have done or thought things that are too bad and unforgivable. That’s from the devil because he wants as many souls as possible to join him in the lake of fire.
God can set you free from these lies!

Luke 19:10 (NLT)
For the Son of Man [Jesus] came to seek and save those who are lost.

Paul writes to Timothy in

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Paul describes himself as the worst sinner of all because he persecuted the early Christians and had them put to death. But Paul asked for forgiveness and God appointed him to be an apostle to the Gentiles.

Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)
Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him [Jesus], because he [Jesus] always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus said in

John 6:37 (NKJV)
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”

How do I accept the free gift of eternal life?

John 3:16 (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 6:47 (NKJV)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”

The answer is: “Believe in Him!”

But you may say, “How can God forgive me for my wrongs?”

ASK!

He can and will, because Jesus Christ, His Son, took your punishment and died on the cross in your place. He died and rose again to life on the third day.

God promises that when you’ve asked for forgiveness He’ll forgive and erase the memory of that sin forever.

Hebrews 10:17 (NKJV)
then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

But why does it have to be the God of the Bible?

There are so many other gods, and in the end aren’t they all the same?

NO! There is a big difference between the “gods” and “God”!

The God of the Bible is ALIVE!
He loves you and was willing to take your punishment, so you can be saved and spend eternity with God in heaven. No strings attached. He listens to you; He helps you through highs and lows in your life.

The “God” of the Bible doesn’t request any works from you to make the cut. The other “gods” all require works, good works, lots of works in order to reach a so-called Nirvana. These “gods” don’t offer the gift of eternal life for free!

So, getting back to the question “How do I accept the free gift of eternal life?”

It’s as easy as A, B, C, D, E:

Admit that you have sinned against God, and there is nothing you can do to work your way to heaven.
(Romans 3:10, 23; Isaiah 55:7)
Believe that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to earth, died on the cross to pay for your sin debt, and rose again from the dead the third day.
(Romans 5:8; John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12)
Call upon Father God in the name of Jesus Christ, and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and save you from hell; and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior by inviting Him into your heart.
(Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 John 5:12-13)
Dedicate your life to Him, follow Him and His teachings.
Eternal life in heaven will be yours.

You may not want to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior because you will change!

One more thing; Scripture says:

Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”

Romans 10:11 (NKJV)
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Romans 10:13 (NKJV)
For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

Now, back to the question, “Why do I need the God of the Bible?”

There is only one absolute truth! Something is either true or false!

If the statement that Jesus was crucified in my place, died and rose from the dead on the third day to atone for my sins is false, then Jesus died in vain. And the Apostles died for a lie.

The Apostles stood fast for their belief because they were eye-witnesses to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. All Apostles, except John, were tortured and killed for what they believed. John survived the torture and died of natural causes. Did the Apostles stand fast for a lie even unto death? Would you? Think about that!

I need the God of the Bible because He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” (John 14:6 KJV)
There is no other way!

The God of the Bible is the only God who loves His creation and was willing to die for their wrong doings so that He could save them from judgment and eternal damnation in the lake of fire.

Once you have put your trust in Jesus Christ you are:

• Forgiven (Acts 10:43; Ephesians 1:7)
• Justified (Romans 3:28; Acts 13:39)
• A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Sanctified (purified-made pure) (1 Corinthians 1:30)
• Sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30)
• Free from condemnation (Romans 8:1; John 5:24)
• Peaceful (Romans 5:1; John 14:27)
• Given spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3)
• Delivered from this evil world (Galatians 1:4)

Now, if I am wrong and there is no eternal life after death, that’s okay.

But if I am right, where does that leave you?

Remember, the longest word in the English language is eternal. Eternity is a long, forever time.