Ronald Reagan, Jr., the son of the former president, leads an organization for the promotion of atheism, agnosticism, and secularization, or the removal of faith tenets from social and political issues. In one of his adds, Reagan, Jr. discusses his atheism and concludes with the statement, "...and I am not afraid of burning in Hell."
Believing in God, our Creator, is a choice that is presented to each of us:
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
Joshua issued this clear choice to Israel, and to each of us, and declared firmly his choice. You will serve something, according to Joshua. If you choose not to serve God, the Creator, you will serve another god, even if you delude yourself into thinking that you are serving no one but yourself.
The choice to believe in, and serve God, however, is really an easy choice:
The choice to believe in, and serve God, however, is really an easy choice:
"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Rom. 1:20
Creation shows the hand, the power, and the knowledge of the Creator. The physical elements have been arranged and combined in such an intricate complexity, it would be a greater stretch to deny the pattern of the awesomely brilliant design that is evident. We would have to believe instead that it is rational to think, for example, that a canvas dipped into a vat of mixed paints, could emerge as a da Vinci, or a Rembrandt. Or perhaps a random collection of steel, aluminum, and fiberglass could, over time, arrange itself into an automobile. The very intricacy of the physical creation is for the purpose of putting the proof in front of us of the Creator, and the obvious choice to be made.
King David wrote that the very consideration of the creative work of God's hands brought David to the revelation of God's even greater creative purpose and accomplishment in man, though we are small, and seemingly insignificant in comparison (Psalm 8:3-6). The New Testament confirms this assertion:
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ...and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded...But ye are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people: that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Pet. 2:5, 6, 9
We are not only a physical creation, but we are a spiritual creation. As we choose God, our Creator, and His Son as our salvation and restoration, we are also a "becoming", or changing creation, becoming that royal priesthood.
What of those who make the opposite choice, rejecting the knowledge of God? Scripture tells us that because of all of the evidence of the Creator before their eyes (see Rom. 1:20 above), they have knowingly, and willfully rejected the truth of that evidence:
"(They) changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen...And even as they did not retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (prescribed, ordained, decreed, fit, becoming of);" Rom. 1:25, 28
Because they purposefully make the choice to reject the truth of God as Creator, they also are changing and "becoming" something that reflects that rejection:
"...became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened...God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves...God gave them up unto vile affections...against nature...leaving the natural use...working that which is unseemly..." Rom. 1:21, 24, 26, 27
Not only are their physical inclinations being changed, but their character, or inner man, becomes similarly twisted by the lie they have chosen. They become haters of God, disrespectful to parents, covenant breakers, covetous, malicious, full of envy, even murder, and more (Rom. 1:29-31). Though they know their behavior is worthy of judgment, they make the choice to reject the truth anyway because of the pleasure found in their behavior and rebellion. Even if they refuse it, however, God still continually stretches out His hand to them (Rom. 10:21, Isa. 65:1-3).
We see the fruit of the rejection of God described above, in every part of our society today.
Continuing to choose the lie instead of the Creator, will bring them to a certain end point, however. At that point, they will have to look into the face of the One whom they rejected. Facing total calamity instead, will be preferred by them:
"...and they shall say to the mountains, "Cover us"; and to the hills, "Fall on us."
Hos. 10:8, Rev. 6:15-17
This is where our nation is. We are seeing the result of the choice to reject God. Even the Church is moving further away from God's outstretched hand, full of strife, and division, rejecting the words of our Creator that are inconvenient for us, or unpopular with others.
The choice is still before each of us. It is not yet too late. His hand is still stretched out to us. It is an easy choice to make. As for me, and my house, we will serve the LORD.
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