Belief In God Is Not Optional!

A number of years ago Josh McDowell wrote a book, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, making quite an impact on many college campuses as this writer, Christian Apologist and evangelist, used secular evidences and other historical sources to refute the claims of critics and skeptics.  Since,  he has written sequels and many other books (120 he has authored or co-authored) pressing the claims of Christ round the world.

His central point is in the title, “Evidence that demands a verdict”.  You, as the jury, do not have the option to think, “Now he makes a compelling case” and then go on your way without rendering a verdict.  No.  You must make a verdict. 

Compelling evidence of the reality of Jesus was presented to Saul who became the Apostle Paul.  He recounted the elements of this experience to King Agrippa.  Paul spoke of how he had been fiercely persecuting the followers of Jesus and was engaged in this business when he was on the road to Damascus and now I’ll let Paul speak.  “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.  And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads (of conscience)’”

“So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’  And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.  I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified (set apart) by faith in Me’”(Acts 26:12-18). 

Paul’s response to this powerful experience was, “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. . . (Acts 26:19).  At this point Paul continued to exhort King Agrippa challenging him to act on the evidence presented him, “’King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?  I know that you do believe.’ Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian’” (Acts 26:27, 28).

How sad.

 Another person who was slow of heart to believe the resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of the Christian faith, was Thomas.  Jesus had previously appeared to the Disciples but Thomas was not with them and almost vehemently said he would not believe unless certain conditions were met.  Almost on cue, Jesus appeared in the room where Thomas and the Disciples were and challenged Thomas to touch Him in the ways necessary to compel Thomas’s faith.  As a result of physically touching Jesus, Thomas believed saying, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)!

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:29).

No one has to believe, but all of us having had indisputable evidence presented to us, may believe, but all of us upon hearing a presentation of the Gospel which says that Christ came to save sinners, that’s you and me, must render a verdict.  “Yes” or “No”, which will it be?