I remember when I was a teenager, on Sunday morning for Bible class, we had a teacher who used the book “Why I am a member of the church of Christ” by Leroy Brownlow. Brother Brownlow believed that every student should not complete high school without taking six months to thoroughly study through his book to help indoctrinate their beliefs and establish the truths of doctrine in the Scriptures. This approach was implemented at the Polytechnic church of Christ for many years. It’s something that I believe we should implement in our churches today, even here at NHCOC.

Even though years have passed, I still appreciate this book and reference it in my study and when preparing Bible class lessons and sermons. The approach brother Brownlow took is simple. He did not grow up in the church but was converted after his family attended a gospel meeting conducted by Paul Witt in Callisburg, TX. Brownlow was baptized at the age of seventeen. He would later attend Abilene Christian College and study to be a preacher. In the summer of 1941, Brownlow conducted meetings in the state of Alabama, preaching on why he was a member of the church of Christ, and later wrote and published the book with that title. Not growing up in the Lord’s church allows Leroy Brownlow to communicate with conviction why he was a member, which the reader can easily apply. This inspires the reader to ask, “Why am I a member, or why am I not a member of the church of Christ?

This spirit inspires us to ask that same question but with a different subject. Are there reasons you believe in the existence of God? Are these reasons scientific and logical? Are these reasons emotional and personal?

Maybe to help you think this way, I want to present to you one of four reasons why I personally believe in the existence of God. I’ll give you the other reasons in a series of other articles. Some of these reasons have a scientific approach and some lean on a more emotional response. My desire is that you will take to heart these reasons why I believe and ask yourself, “Why you believe or why don’t you believe in the existence of God.”

The reason we need to be willing to answer this question comes from the direct statements from the apostle Peter. “…sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence…” (1 Peter 3:15). This statement by Peter should inspire us to be ready to make a defense when we are asked, “Why do you believe in the existence of God”? The time is now when people ask us that question. But, the time is coming when the reality of God will no longer be a matter of belief. Paul writes, “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11). For those that do not believe in Him before reality hits, it will be too late to demonstrate that faith in Him. We need to be ready to answer this question to prepare ourselves and others for that reality.

I believe in the existence of God because: The World is Beautiful

There is a beautiful spiritual song titled “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?”. The lyrics begin by asking, “Have you seen Jesus my Lord? He’s here in plain view. Take a look, open your eyes He’ll show it to you.” The idea around this song is that there are things in nature that are so esthetically pleasing it can convince you that God does exist and that we can see Him. This reasoning appeals to the beauty we see around us as evidence of His existence. Even atheists are amazed by the incredible ocean view, the majesty of the mountains, or the lovely sunsets of the western plains. The artistry in nature puts God on display.

Do you remember in the movie Forrest Gump when he and Lt. Dan struggle as shrimp boat fishermen? Lt. Dan asked Forrest, “Where’s this God of yours”? Forrest says that it was funny that he asked that because it was at that moment that God showed up in a powerful storm. Even storms can be beautiful with their incredible power and sway you to believe God exists. Lt. Dan climbs to the top of the ship’s mast and cries to God, “Its time for a showdown”! That storm destroyed all shrimp boats except Gump’s and Lt. Dan’s boat.

The showdown between those who believe in God and those who do not is now, and the beauty we enjoy in nature can be a convincing truth. When we see the beauty, we ask questions like, “How did this beauty come to be?” or ” How can I appreciate the beauty I see?” Is it by blind chance that this beautiful world exists?

It says in Psalm 96, “For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary”. David looks at the beauty around him and attributes it all to the Lord God, who is above all gods. It convinces him of God’s existence and can do the same for us as well.

So, I believe in God because the world is beautiful.

Take today to look around you and appreciate the beauty that provides evidence of the existence of God. Stop and praise God for it!

God loves you and so do I.

Alex Mills