THERE’S POWER IN HIS WORKS

By: Barry Shaw

What do you say to a friend who doesn’t believe in God? How do you convince your friend that the Gospel is the truth? The Bible says that only through and with the power of God can anyone convince another that Christ is the only way to eternal salvation. Unless the Holy Spirit works in the listener’s heart, the wisdom and eloquence of the speaker won’t be heard by the non-believer. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

There is a science and art in Christianity which deals with responding to those who ask about, criticize or oppose the Gospel. It is called “apologetics,” a term derived from the Greek legal term “apologia” which means defense, vindication or answer. Apologetics has been utilized throughout Christian history in defending the faith. Peter wrote: “...but sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account of the hope that is in you...” 1 Peter 3:15

The classical method of apologetics uses the power of reason in responding to persons who disbelieve the Gospel. Apologist William Lane Craig urges his listener to look at the universe and poses the issue that it had to come from somewhere. He reasons that “Whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore the universe has a cause.” That cause had to be a Supreme Being. It must have been God. See Why I Am a Christian, Geisler & Hoffman, 67.

Jesus Christ responded to the criticisms of the Jewish leaders when they challenged Him in the portico of Solomon. The Jewish leaders “...were saying to Him, ‘If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” John 10:23-25 “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works...” John 10:37-38 Jesus said that if they didn’t believe who He said He was, they should look around and see what He’d done and was doing as proof that He is the Messiah. In exhorting the non-believers to believe His works, Jesus pointed them not only to the miracles they’d seen, but also the power of God in His creation, His works.

The ancient prophet wrote about the works of God: “It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom; and by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of water in the heavens, and He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, and brings out the wind from His storehouses.” Jeremiah 10:12-13 The apostles witnessed the Lord’s great power when “...He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.” They exclaimed: “...even the wind and the sea obey Him...” Matthew 8:26

We experience the power of God’s great works every moment of our lives. Did you ever wonder about why the sun always stays 93,000,000 miles from the earth? It’s just right for life on earth. What about the atom with its electrons, protons and neutrons? There’s a power that holds all of them together in a certain relationship to form all matter in the universe. But on earth it’s just right for life! “...in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 Apologist Hugh Ross writes that if the ratio of electron to proton mass was larger or smaller, there would be “insufficient chemical bonding...Astronomers and physicists...widely acknowledge that the only reasonable explanation for the intricately harmonious features of the universe, our solar system, our planet - all ingeniously focused on the requirements for life - is the action and ongoing involvement of a personal, intelligent designer.” Why I Am a Christian, supra at 148. Just as the Prophet Jeremiah observed, the characteristics of the universe fine-tuned to make life possible and sustainable are all from His outstretched hand - the power of God.

When a person asks, criticizes or opposes the Gospel, speak as Jesus spoke of the glory of His kingdom and the power to make known His mighty works. Psalm 145:11-12 By the grace of the Holy Spirit, they will see and hear the power of God in His works. Belief in Him is the next rational step in their walk towards faith in the Lord. They will then shout with glee: “For you, O Lord, made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.

Barry N. Shaw writes from Applegate valley, Oregon