Battle For The Truth (Part 25)

Genesis 1:1; 26-27 – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Introduction

We have come to the point where we need to pause and reflect upon what this series is about. As way of review, this series has is about an ongoing battle or warfare for Truth. Not a physical war like Afghanistan or Vietnam where the weapons used are carnal (see) as the Apostle Paul makes clear in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, he said, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;).” This is a spiritual war where the weapons are the word of God and prayer . Again, Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

This battle is a Battle for the Truth, which indeed is a battle for the souls of men. Amen somebody.

If, like me, you grew up in the 1960s and 70s and was educated in the public school system, including state colleges and universities, then you were taught the Big Bang Theory and Theory of Evolution as the explanation for the existence of life, the universe and everything contained therein. Furthermore, if like me you were raised in a Christian home and regularly attended church on Sundays, you were given a biblical explanation for life, the universe, and everything contained therein. The church where I was a member and [regularly] attended taught that there was such a Being whose name was God and the Bible was His word to mankind. I was also taught that the Bible was infallible, inerrant, and immutable. For this reason, the battle lines were drawn long ago as to which explanation is true—the schoolteacher or the preacher; the science book or the Bible. Both cannot both be true. I contend that the Bible is true and that the Big Bang and Evolution theories are false. Amen somebody.

At this point someone may be asking, “What’s the big deal and why am I raising such a big fuss about it? That is a good question. The answer is because the truth matters, the souls of men are at stake, and time is running out. Amen somebody.

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

What does this mean? This is a declaration that there is such a Being whose name is God. Stop right there.

Now there are many people who use the word “God,” as part of their daily vocabulary. They may identify as being “religious” or “spiritual” or something else. But often, the God to which they refer is not the God of the Bible. Without getting into a long-drawn-out discussion on various world religions, let me just get directly to the point. With all due respect, I must be clear, the God mentioned here in Genesis 1:1 is not the god of Islam, Mormonism, Scientology, the gods of Hinduism, or any other religion or belief system. The God that Genesis 1:1 is talking about is Elohim, the self-existent supernatural Being who created and rules over heaven and earth or better stated the entire universe. Elohim, who would later reveal His personal name YAHWEH is the God who made Himself known to the ancient Hebrews. Granted there is a discussion to be had on the definition and finer points of the word Elohim, but suffice it to say that Elohim is the only True and Living God, who declares through the Prophet Isaiah that besides Him there is none other:

Isaiah 43:11 – “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”

Isaiah 44:6, 8 – “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (8) Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.”

Isaiah 45:5, 6 – “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: (6) That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.”

Isaiah 45:21 – “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.”

Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” is either true or false—there is no third option. If Genesis 1:1 is not true, and God is not the Creator, that would mean the Bible cannot be trusted. And, if the Bible cannot be trusted when it comes to Creation, why trust it when it comes to Salvation and Judgment? The fact is you would not trust it and would have a legitimate reason not to trust it. However, since it is true, you have no legitimate reason for doubting its truth claims. Many do doubt the truth claims of the Bible, but they do so at their own peril.

I have asked the following question before, so I am sure that most of you who follow me know the answer. When the Bible talks about the beginning: “the beginning of what?” The answer is the beginning of time. For other than the biblical account of Creation, there is no logical or reasonable explanation for the existence time. Nevertheless, Naturalist, like Charles Darwin, the father of the Theory of Evolution, believe in the evolution of natural processes. Thus, Evolution at its core is simply a process or sequence of events that occur over time. But for some reason, they never talk about time and how it came to be. So, from whence came time? Did time somehow evolve? Of course not. Because, for anything to evolve it must first exist. Let me repeat that and allow a little time for it soak-in. I said, for anything to evolve it must first exist. Now in the arena of basic logic that is what we call low-hanging fruit. No degree, diploma or certificate is required to grasp that truth. Amen somebody.

Therefore, the Big Bang Theory and Theory of Evolution as explanations or reasons for the existence of our world and the universe are false.

Side Note: I am amazed at the number of people who do not want to engage in a discussion about origins—the universe, light, and life. My experience is that most people want to avoid the topic because it naturally leads to other issues that would reveal personal thoughts, they are uncomfortable discussing. Although many people talk a good game about being “woke,” “keeping it real,” or “spiritual,” but the truth is they are either afraid, confused, and/or deceived. Oh, they are more than willing talk about everything else like sports, technology, cars, music, politics, racism, law enforcement, and anything else you may want to add to the list. But when it comes to the topic of origins and the implications of Genesis 1:1, they scatter like roaches when the light turns on.

God either exists or He does not. If He exists, as the Bible claims He does, then denying Him does not make Him go away. And, if He does not exist, then there is nothing I can say or do to conjure Him up. According to the Law of Non-Contradiction – “…something cannot be both true and not true at the same time when dealing with the same context.” (Source https://carm.org/dictionary-law-of-non-contradiction). You either believe that God exists, or you do not believe it—there is no middle ground or third option. Furthermore, God is Sovereign, meaning He has supreme power and authority. And if God is God, then He is Sovereign (Ex. 33:19; Deut. 32:39; Is. 45:5-7). If God is not Sovereign, then God is not God. But God is God, which makes all other so-called gods false, irrelevant, and non-authoritative. Amen somebody.

Genesis 1:26-27, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Here we learn that on Day Six of Creation and as His crowning achievement, God created man. This text informs us that not only did man emanate from God, but that man was uniquely made in the image of God. Distinct from all other creatures, man was made to have dominion over all living creatures on earth. Why is this truth so important? I am so glad you asked. It is important because there was no confusion as to gender identity. There may be confusion today because of sin, but the confusion is not of God, for God is not the author of confusion. Amen somebody.

Side Note: This issue of gender identity has ingrained itself into our culture and continues to spread like virus. As a result, our children and adults alike are confused and lost. The problem is so pervasive that the highest levels of our government have bowed the knee to this ungodly philosophy and lifestyle. Same-sex marriage is the law of the land and the lines of distinction between male and female have been blurred and distorted. It reminds me of the rebellious days of Israel during the days Isaiah when the Lord instructed Isaiah to write in Isaiah 1:4-7, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. (5) Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. (6) From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. (7) Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.”

According to the Apostle Paul, this ungodly philosophy and lifestyle can be traced back to how one views the truth about Creation. Notice what Paul writes in Romans 1:18-32, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Amen somebody.

Conclusion

My brothers and sisters, the reason things that were so good became so bad are documented in the first three chapters of Genesis. However, time will not permit me to address them in this message, because they deserve a full treatment and review. I know that we have dealt with the already; nevertheless, some things bare repeating. So, I implore you to pray along with me and do your best to tell somebody else to listen these truths. In John 8:31-32, Jesus said to those Jews which believed on Him, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” And I am confident that you agree that people who are trapped in sin need to be set free. So, until next time, may the Lord richly bless you my beloved. Amen.