This is a very good but very big question, isn't it? A lot of people wonder the same thing. They're asking, "Does God actually exist? Does He really hear my prayers?" Well, the truth is, no one can prove the existence of God, BUT no one can disprove it either. It's all a matter of faith.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us what faith is exactly and how it relates to the existence of God: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Sure, God could come down from Heaven in an instant to show up in our bedrooms or school cafeterias and prove to everyone He is for real. So why doesn't He? Because He wants us to believe without seeing.
It's easy to believe in the existence of water or the mountains or your English teacher or anything else physical because we can both see and touch them. But God wants our relationship with Him to be deeper than the physical world. He wants us to know He exists not by the easy stuff like sight or touch, but by a sincere belief in our hearts. Jesus said to one of His disciples in John 20:29, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." That's US He's talking about in the second part!
We have a ton of evidence that shows us God's existence all around us, though no one has definitively "proven" His existence—by human standards anyway. Just look at the sunset, the depth of the ocean, the leaves in the fall, bears who know just when to hibernate in the winter, the millions of atoms that make up our bodies, the tiny components inside each cell of every living thing, the complexity of human brain... There has to have been an ultimate Designer of those things, right? Those things don't happen by chance. And who else could it be but God?
Our world is huge and yet everything seems to have its place, and everything functions beautifully within it. That suggests there has to be a Master Creator who orchestrated the incredible symphony we live in (Psalm 19:1-4). Not everyone sees it that way though. Many people believe our world just "happened" and there was no Master Creator involved.
Romans 1:25 says, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen." Unfortunately, there will always be people who deny God's existence regardless of the evidence we have of Him and His love toward us. Sadly, those who ignore the evidence of God are missing out on the best relationship ever.
A lot of science-minded folks think that if God were real, we could undoubtedly prove His existence with facts, studies, and maybe even pictures as hardcore proof. But that's not what God wants. He doesn't want a bunch of children that love and follow Him just because it's easy to see and hear and touch Him. He wants children who will love and follow Him because of deeper reasons than that.
Think about your mom or your dad or a beloved grandparent. Do you love them just because they're there? Because you have to? Because you "should"? Or do you love them for a reason that goes deeper than that? Because she sacrifices for you? Helps you? Talks to you? Takes care of you? Has loved you no matter what all your life? True love can't be "proven", it has to be experienced personally.
It is easy for non-Christians to argue against God's existence because that requires no faith. Plus, once a person admits that God does indeed exist, they have to admit His sovereignty and their need for Him. If there is no God, they do not have to play by His rules. But if there is a God, they have to make room for Him in their lives and submit to His will.
Have you ever noticed how much some atheists hate God? You've gotta ask then, "How can you have so much hate for something you don't think exists?" Maybe, just maybe, somewhere deep down, they know the truth, but they're angry because they don't want to be wrong. Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."
So does God exist? Well, the Bible says "yes". As Christians, we know God exists because of our relationship with Him and what we have experienced personally. If we talk to Him on a regular basis, we will feel His presence and see Him working in our lives. It just requires faith as a first step!
Remember what Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
The Bible says "yes". As Christians, we know God exists because of our relationship with Him and what we have experienced personally. If we talk to Him on a regular basis, we will feel His presence and see Him working in our lives. It just requires faith as a first step! (Hebrews 11:6)
L.B. is a seasoned Christian writer who loves working with youth and inspiring others to live for Christ.
