Atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell was once asked what he would say if he found himself standing before God on judgment day and God asked him, “Why didn’t you believe in Me?” Russell replied, “I would say, ‘Not enough evidence, God! Not enough evidence!'”
I will grant undeniable proof of God’s existence is hard to come by, and Russell was not alone. Astronomer and planetary scientist Carl Sagan is also known to have said, “The cosmos is all there is or was or ever will be.”
The Bible, however, gives us a different perspective. “The heavens declare the glory of God,” wrote King David of Israel, “the skies proclaim the works of his hands.”
And King David knew nothing of the Whirlpool Galaxy, thirty million light-years away. It is only one of an estimated 100 million galaxies, all of which give evidence of how long our universe has been around and hint at the genius of our creator God.
Nor was he aware that the cosmos is expanding and therefore had a beginning. If, indeed, the universe had a beginning, popularly known as the “big bang,” then it had a beginner, and it is that Beginner we call God. Does that prove the existence of a divine being? Not at all … but it is a strong hint.
The crown jewel of God’s creation, however, is not found in the cosmos. In the words again of King David, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. (Psalm 139:14).
Indeed, you need go no further than our own existence to find evidence of design from the hand of the living God. One cell from your father merged with one from your mother, each one carrying 23 chromosomes, and ½ of your DNA. Your DNA is like tightly wound beads on a string controlling the activity of a gene, and it is thousands of genes that make up each chromosome. Your chromosomes merged into one single cell and formed a new DNA code. In time, 75 trillion cells joined together to make you one-of-a-kind.
Does all of this stand as proof? Perhaps not, but even though the evidence is overwhelming, some refuse to believe. Despite his knowledge of the New Testament message, Dr. Sagan wrote, “I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. … But as much as I want to believe that … I have nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking.”
Wishful thinking? You are left with that point of view only if you reject the evidence God has provided. God’s proof, if proof you need, has been given us. Analyze the facts of Jesus’ life, study the evidence of His resurrection, and the hint of God’s existence has been verified – in the Person of His Son, Jesus.
This, then, is life’s most important decision. As it has been for Bertrand Russell and Carl Sagan and will be for you and me, our eternal future hangs in the balance. What will you do with Jesus Christ?