At an early age I would love to watch crime detective shows. I especially loved the part where the unexpected twist would occur. Just when you thought the guilty guy was actually innocent or the innocent woman guilty, the writers would reveal a hidden piece of evidence that would change the whole thing around and present, without question, the real criminal! Colombo was my favorite... just when Peter Falk was clear on the evidence and had the whole thing figured out he would start to walk out and then turn around with that classic line, "Excuse me... uh, one more thing..." then proceeding to go over a few other pieces of evidence that had been overlooked and therefore unconsidered, he would solve the case! So, before we can consider the evidence; let consider evidence.
Evidence is a powerful commodity. Here's what I mean...
- If you have evidence you have credibility! Unlike the kid who makes up stories in eloquent vacuums about being a red-belt, karate student, a kid who can produce the actual belt and deliver a roundhouse kick proves it!
- If you have evidence you have confidence! Having a genuine photograph of the person who blames you for stealing the cookie from the cookie jar with his or her hand in it, assures you the punishment will go elsewhere!
- If you have evidence you have command! For those who hold the proof, its as if they're holding power! Countless people have been blackmailed into doing or not doing things simply because someone had evidence on them.
So, I ask the question; when it comes to our faith, wouldn't it be prudent to have evidence of such faith? Or is that possible? Because it is, after all... "faith."
The writer of Hebrews describes faith as the "assurance" of things hoped for and "evidence" of things still unseen. Some would argue it's not real if it's not seen... evidence has to be evident! Which is why miracles are sought after in this world as evidence or proof in the existence of God! Unfortunately, I have seen, as perhaps you have, the only evidence of miracles happening today is nothing more that a bunch of Tom Foolery in the name of Christ to get a quick buck!
So what then? Are we to throw our hands up collectively and declare, just because these guys are phonies, "God is too?" Well, maybe not so fast... could it be we have overlooked some evidence that has been there all along?
In a courtroom, evidence is used to determine the viability of one's behavior against the limits of the law. Without going into the whole legal analogy of "reasonable doubt," which forces any atheist into the category of being an agnostic, I'll simply ask this question. Do you have the evidence of God on you? If so, why aren't you credible? Why are you lacking confidence and what is keeping you from taking charge? The last time I checked, the keys of life and human existence have not been discovered. The fact you are eating, talking, breathing, seeing, laughing, crying, loving, hurting, driving, lifting, thinking, sleeping is greater evidence of God than any scientific formula or philosophical explanation. The evidence shows, no promise to a quality of life, only that you have life.
So, for those waiting to see evidence of God to believe in God; take a look around. For those who've found evidence, be credible, confident, courageous. For those uncertain, think about the law that you've tried so hard not to break. If we're honest, in our hearts, we know we're not perfect. Therefore, hoping God will grade on a curve isn't faith... But believing in Christ is!
Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:21,22
Perhaps the one thing that changes everything... is evidence! Think about it.
