Hidden In Plain Sight
Imagine a place created for the sole purpose of hiding the truth from humans, where mankind is kept in bondage and slavery without them realizing it, that place is called the “World.” Men are intrinsically conscious of the truth, but in the world, truth has been diluted with many “lies.” Men have truth and lie all mixed up in their heads, and those conflicting ideas have become each person’s own private Hell. The ability to unravel this Gordian Knot has been the quest of science, religion, and education from the very beginning, and their inability to do so is at the root of all the conflicts and corruption that exist. Men refuse to believe undiluted truth and just as the biblical character known as “Doubting Thomas” must see to believe, the majority after seeing, still disbelieve.
But what if it were possible to untie the Gordian Knot? What would we expect? Who could do such a thing? And how would we recognize or verify the truth once it was presented? If you could know the truth, would you accept it? There are many religions that claim to have the truth, who should we trust? Christianity is the world’s largest religion; would that convince you? How about the fact that one hundred million Bibles are sold every year? Maybe that many intelligent and powerful people are Christian? That America was founded on Christian principles? That Christianity has survived for 2000 years? None of these facts are convincing and have no power to sway the mind and heart to become a Christian. If these were the only facts about Christianity, I would NOT be a Christian.
I need to make one thing clear; I do not acknowledge, and neither does Scripture, that all “Christians” are in fact, Christian. Jesus said that His flock is “small” and that there are “few” who travel the “narrow path.” Most Christian’s lives are virtually indistinguishable from the lives of the “unsaved” except that they may attend a building they call the “Church.” Scripture tells us to “examine (y)ourselves to be sure you are in the faith.”
When I became a Christian many years ago, I was desperate and called out to a God who I did not have a lot of faith in, but to my surprise, I received an answer. The very next day my life was transformed by a power I could not understand having never read the Bible or attended a Church. I was being led by an unknown force to which I surrendered. Still being skeptical I devoured the Bible and read it completely several times the first year. All the normal questions were asked by me, like anyone else, here are a few.
- How do I know that the Bible is true?
- Is there historical data to back up what the Bible claims?
- Is there scientific data to back up Biblical claims?
- Why are there so many other religions?
- Is there really a Devil?
You may have your own questions to add to these. If Christianity is the true religion, then we would expect God to demonstrate, without question, its superiority above all the others. Within months of being converted, I had to prove to myself that I had not purchased a “bill-of-goods,” so I began my investigation. Christianity can be PROVEN to be true. I know this sounds arrogant but there is a standard of proof that amounts to a moral certainty or puts the matter beyond a reasonable doubt. It is a standard that is used in every court of law. When a judge charges a jury, he or she tells them to make a decision based on the “evidence” of probability, and not certainty; based on the evidence presented, not the certainty of having viewed the crime.
Why is it important to consider the evidence? God has gone to great pains to ensure that there is no mistaking truth for error. Most people care little about the evidence and are more interested in the experience, affiliation, association, membership, or popularity of their particular brand of religion. Therefore, God has separated Himself from the crowd through very precise and accurate evidence that puts the faith of the believer in a whole different realm of fact, and not superstition, fantasy, or family ties. Christianity claims an external verification through evidence, as well as an internal witness through God. Jesus said, “If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17).
The vast majority of Christians base their belief on a “leap of faith” assuming that belief in, or trusting Christ, is outside the boundaries of reason, yet the Lord says in Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, and let us REASON together, saith the Lord: though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson they shall be as wool. If ye be WILLING and OBEDIENT ye shall eat of the good of the land. But if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured with the sword. For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” God has endowed mankind with the ability to “reason” and in no way requires His children to remain ignorant of what He demands us to know.
The Devil has transformed the earth into a prison colony by hiding the truth of God in the dung heap of men’s questionable logic and therefore we are told to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). God has made His appeal to the spirit of man and not to the flesh. Your eyes, ears, hearing, and appetite are not your friend and must be surrendered to the Truth of God, then the Gordian Knot of life will begin to unravel.
The Truth is waiting.