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In a recent debate between Michael Shermer (skeptic/atheist) and Kyle Butt (theist/Christian) held October 25, 2023 at Faulkner University, Shermer affirmed the argument from unbelief.  The proposition for the debate was, “The God of the Bible Exists.”  Shermer denied the proposition and Butt affirmed it.  During this debate, Shermer argued that since many Jews and Muslims do not believe in Jesus, there must not be sufficient evidence to prove that Jesus is the Son of God.  Therefore, the Christian God does not exist.  This is the argument from unbelief.  This argument states that the presence of sincere non-believers proves that God cannot exist.  It suggests that there are many people willing to believe in God if only enough evidence existed to prove that He is.  The argument is also called, “reasonable unbelief.”  The argument claims that if God is real, He would have revealed Himself so clearly that anyone who sincerely was willing to believe would accept that truth.  In short, those who make this argument affirm that there is inadequate evidence to support belief in God.
Two Assumptions Made by the Argument
The first assumption is that there are objective, sincere and willing unbelievers.  The true nature of unbelief reveals that it is grounded not in objective and sincere individuals, but those who have hardened their hearts against God by the deceitfulness of sin.  “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:12-13).  Paul referenced this very thing in Rom. 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” (Rom. 1:18).  To “hold the truth in unrighteousness” is a reference to the suppression of the truth by the deceitfulness of sin (unrighteousness).  The consequence of unbelief is more unbelief.  Unbelief is self-perpetuating and therefore becomes a powerful force in moving people away from God.  There is no redeeming aspect of sin.  Sin never produces righteousness, but it produces unrighteousness which suppresses the truth about God.  This is not innocent.  People who sin are deceived.  All unbelief is based upon a lie not the truth.  Unbelief therefore does not argue against the truth.  It stands as a negation of the truth which is based upon a lie.  Unbelief is inexcusable! (Rom. 1:20).  Paul declares that unbelief is the result of those who gave up their knowledge of God for vanity (idolatry) or lies (Rom. 1:21-23).  This was a willful, intentional, act of the rejection of the truth about God and the active pursuit of idolatry.  This is the true nature of unbelief. Unbelief can only be overcome with truth.  Truth changes both the mind and the heart.  This defines the pathway to transformation and redemption (John 8:32).
The second assumption is that God has not provided enough evidence for men to reason about correctly and come to the conclusion that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  Paul states, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  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” (Rom. 1:19-20).  God existed before people existed.  God was known by the first man and first woman–Adam and Eve (Gen. 1-2).  There never has been a time in the history of man that God has not made Himself known to man.  Adam and Eve knew God “face to face.”  The Bible gives the historical accounts of the interactions of God with human beings.  These individuals had certain knowledge that God existed and passed down that knowledge to others.  God has revealed Himself in the creation of the universe.  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard” (Ps. 19:1-3).  The creation speaks a universal language and that message is heard by all peoples everywhere.  Also, when God made man, He made him “in His image, in His likeness” (Gen. 1:27).  Man himself bears the image of God and is proof that God exists.  God has spoken to human beings through His written word.  The Bible stands as evidence that God is.  “God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the world of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:1-3).  The writing prophets (such as Moses, Samuel, David, and many others) and the apostles and New Testament prophets (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, James and Jude) have given us a body of truth the substance of which comes from the Triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).   Jesus reveals the Father to us.  “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?  the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake” (John 14:8-11).  Jesus’ life, teaching, miracles, death, burial and resurrection are all evidences that God is.  Luke records that the sacred knowledge that he gave to Theophilus consisted of many infallible proofs which were “most certainly believed” among us (see Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1-4).  Jesus predicted that He would build His church (kingdom) (Matthew 16:16-19).  The Lord’s church was established on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47).  The church is comprised of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.  The existence of the church is proof that God exists and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.  The transformation of millions of lives by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a powerful voice for faith in God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.  In order for unbelievers to reject the sum total of all of the evidence for God, unbelievers would have to be able to falsify every piece of evidence in a conclusive way.  This would be impossible to do.  The existence of unbelief does not destroy the many infallible proofs God has given to us of His existence and goodness.
Belief in a Lie Does Not Make It True
Our unbelief in Jesus does not disprove who He is.  “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (II Tim. 2:13).  If we deny Him, He also will deny us.  Jesus is faithful to Himself. He is essentially and eternally consistent. It is His nature to be so.  Jesus authenticates Himself by His nature, power, goodness, truth and holiness.  He bears witness to Himself (John 8:18). In order to deny Jesus, one must believe a lie and one must be able to falsify who Jesus is.   The former can be done, but the latter is impossible to do.  Believing a lie does not disprove the truth.  The argument from unbelief is false and must be rejected.  We are powerless to affect the eternal consistency of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gift giving is a tradition this time of the year (December).  The emphasis is on generosity.  Many charitable groups are looking for donations.  Individuals are excited about giving and receiving gifts.  Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were brought by the wise men to the young Jesus close to the time of His birth.  Gifts involve an interesting dynamic between the giver, the gift itself and the receiver.  Giving begins in the heart of the giver.  A person decides to give and what to give.  This means that giving is a free act.  The gift is a windfall.  It is not earned nor merited.  It can take many forms but whatever form it takes, it is designed to be beneficial to the receiver.  The receiver completes the circle in the dynamic if the gift is received.  Most of the time, the gift is received with warmth and appreciation.  When the gift is received, the benefit or blessing enhances the value of the receiver.  However, sometimes the gift is rejected.  Whenever this happens, the giver is often rebuffed and offended.  The rejection of goodwill and grace is never welcomed.  When the receiver rejects the gift, he/she robs himself/herself of the benefits of receiving the gift which could be detrimental to the welfare of the recipient.  Sometimes people do not act for their own good.
The Greatest Giver
The greatest giver is God!  This is the conclusion of the proper reasoning about both creation and redemption.  Consider Ps. 104:28, where God is depicted with open hands and His hands are filled with good.  Or, consider Rom. 11:29, where Paul affirms that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  In James 1:17, James affirms that every good gift and perfect gift is from the Father of lights.  God is constant in giving us the best of heaven.  The heart of God is exposed in the giving of spiritual gifts that are freely bestowed and priceless.  God is magnanimous in His giving.   He does not hold back the best of heaven from His creature–man.
God Gave His Son.  John 3:16.  “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:9-10).  God’s gift–Jesus Christ–is the means of our redemption.  Our redemption is priceless and so is the unspeakable gift of God’s Son (II Cor. 9:15).  Human language is at a loss to describe the wonder and magnificence of this priceless gift.  This gift is the means of spiritual life and eternal life (I John 5:10-11).
God Gave Us a Savior.   Eph. 5:25
Christ loved the church and gave himself for it (Eph. 5:25).  Christ’s sacrifice was a selfless act of love to put away our sin.  “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26).  We are redeemed by His blood.  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).  Forgiveness by God is priceless and it is essential for our salvation!
God Gave His Grace.  Eph. 2:8-9.
“For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.  Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).  Grace is God’s favor freely bestowed upon those who stand in need of His saving power.  The reception of this grace is dependent upon the faith and obedience of the human heart in response to God’s love.  God’s grace is not limited.  His grace is not a one-time experience.  His grace is continually available to Christians after its initial reception providing for continual cleansing by the blood of Christ (I John 1:7-9).
God Gave His Spirit.  Acts 2:38
The gift of God’s Spirit is a promise that is received only by those who have obeyed the gospel.  Those who obey the Gospel (manifest faith in the Lord, love Him supremely, repent of their sins, confess Christ and are baptized into Christ) not only receive the remission of sins, but they receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in their lives.  “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32).  “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).  The Holy Spirit is a seal (denotes ownership).  The Holy Spirit is an intercessor (Rom. 8:26) aiding our prayers.  The Holy Spirit strengthens us with might in the inner man (Eph. 3:16).  The Holy Spirit is a priceless gift!
God Gives His Word.  James 1:17-18.
God begets us by His Word.  The germ of spiritual life is in the seed of the Word of God.  The seed begets us.  The Word of truth enlightens us and guides us into the pathway of righteousness.   The gospel of Christ is God’s way of making people righteous (Rom. 1:16-17).  “Buy the truth and sell it not!” (Prov. 23:23).  The truth is priceless!
God Gives Eternal Life Through His Son.  Rom. 6:23; I John 5:10-11.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Rom. 6:23).  “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (I John 5:10-11).  Eternal life is a quality of spiritual life and involves being in the presence of God forever.  It is free from:  tears, death, sorrow, crying, and pain for the former things are passed away (Rev. 21:4).  Eternal life is priceless!
God Gives Us Richly All Things To Enjoy.  I Tim. 6:16-17
Paul charges the rich to glorify God with their riches.  God gives us richly all things to enjoy!  The blessings of God are meant to be enjoyed.  Of course, this precludes sinful pursuits.  God wants us to enjoy the good things that He provides for us.  The true disciple of Jesus who puts the kingdom of God and His righteousness first in life, has the promise that all “these things” will be added unto him (Mt. 6:33).  “These things” refers to food, clothing and shelter.  God will provide through His grace.  God sustains us.  These blessings are not meant to ruin and rule us.  They are to be received with thanksgiving and used to God’s glory (I Cor. 10:31).  God’s blessings are priceless!
God’s gifts:  His Son, Our salvation through His Son, His grace, His Spirit, His Word, eternal life and every good and perfect gift are priceless!  They are freely given.  They are the means of our spiritual wealth through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3; II Cor. 8:9).  They must be received through love, faith and obedience to God’s Holy Word.  God has opened His hands to bless us with His goodness.  We must open our hearts to receive with meekness and humility the wonderful blessings God bestows.  When we do so, we enrich our souls for eternity.

Who has known the mind of the LORD? (Rom. 11:33-36).  Let us begin in an attitude of humility.  Humility is lowliness of mind and heart before God.  Humility is an attitude of submission before God whereby we recognize His greatness and glory.  O the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God! (Rom. 11:33).  How unsearchable are His judgments.  His ways are past finding out.  The finite mind fails when attempting to probe the infinite mind of God.  Who hath been His counselor?  Paul quotes from Isaiah 40:13.  Isaiah 40 is devoted to affirming the superiority of the LORD and the sovereignty of the LORD. Isaiah declares boldly for Israel to “Behold Your God! (Isa. 40:9).  The LORD is the incomparable One.  “To whom then will ye liken God?” (Isa. 40:18).  We must know God.  The goal for us is to know something of the wisdom and knowledge of God so that we can live our lives in full view of that wisdom and knowledge.  Knowing God is the beginning of knowing ourselves in relation to Him.  This is the reason we begin with the deepest and heartfelt humility.
What is Wisdom?
The wisdom of God tells us that God will bring about the best possible results, by the best possible means.  Wisdom is based upon knowledge and God is omniscient (all-knowing).  God knows the past, present and future.  He knows the intricate details of the entire universe including our own human nature and physical and spiritual being.  Isaiah asks, “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?” (Isa. 40:12).  Each probing question emphasizes the limits of human knowledge and ability.  But, what human prowess cannot do, God can do!  Isaiah mentions that God created the stars and knows them all by name (Isa. 40:26).  God is the creator.  Human beings are His creatures.  The error of  modern man is to humanize God and deify self.  This act of arrogance attempts to invert the relationship between ourselves and the one, true, and living God.  When we give up our knowledge of God, we will plunge into the darkness and corruption that has been created by the god of this world–Satan himself (Rom. 1:18-32).  Humility of heart recognizes the superiority of God and produces the fear of the LORD that respects God’s wisdom over the wisdom of this world.  Wisdom is not only knowledge, it is know-how.  Wisdom entails the skillfulness to formulate the best plan and to carry it out in the best and most effective manner. Wisdom sees the end from the beginning.  Only God can do this.  Thus, the need to guess or conjecture is eliminated.  This makes God’s knowledge and wisdom absolute.
Characteristics of God’s Wisdom
God is naturally wise.  This means that wisdom is part of His nature.  Wisdom is the essence of His being.  God is wholly, completely wise.  Nothing God does fails.  Nothing God does is self-defeating.  Nothing God does is NOT the BEST!  God’s wisdom represents the best of the best when it comes to guidance and instruction.  God’s wisdom is unsurpassed.  God is invariably wise. God never makes a mistake.  His judgments are perfect and right altogether.  Consequently, human beings are not in a position to correct God.  We might ask, “Why did you create me thus?” Or, “Why do you permit suffering?”  These types of “why” questions must be resolved in absolute trust of God’s superior wisdom.  We ask these questions because we do not know the answers and, in these instances, only God does.  We began in humility and we must continue in humility.
The Manifestation of God’s Wisdom
There are four areas where we can readily see God’s wisdom.  The first is creation.  Everything that God created was very good (Gen. 1:31).  God created human beings male and female.  God created human beings in His image (Gen. 1:27).  God is the ultimate reality.  God’s created order is part of our reality.  Any attempt to change God’s created order is foolishness.  When people rebel against God there is going to be a clash between God’s wisdom and the wisdom of this world.  Instead of humility, we become arrogant and desire to supplant God’s will with our own will thus making ourselves into a god (Ps. 104:24-26; Proverbs 3:19-20).  The second is God’s commandments.  The LORD giveth wisdom (Prov. 2:6).  Out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.  God gives us sacred knowledge through the revelation He has given us in His Word.  This knowledge is the only basis for salvation.  God’s Word is unique because it comes from Him and instructs in righteousness.  It gives guidance and direction for our own lives.  The Bible fool is the one who rejects the wisdom from above for the wisdom of this world (Matt. 7:24-27).  Those who hear and obey God’s Word are truly enlightened and characterized as wise. The third is Christ Jesus our Lord.  Paul declares, “But we preach Christ crucified, not the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (I Cor. 1:23-24).  Through Jesus Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself (II Cor. 5:18).  Through Jesus Christ, the resolution of man’s sin dilemma (condemnation before God) is accomplished.  Jesus makes justification possible (Rom. 5:8-9).  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”  The fourth is the church of Christ.  In Eph. 3:10-11, God’s Word teaches, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  The church of Christ is made up of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).  The church is the spiritual body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23).  The church is the spiritual sphere where all spiritual blessings are to be found (Eph. 1:3).  The church is comprised of the saved (Acts 2:41,47). The church makes spiritual union with Christ and all of those of like precious faith possible.  The church has the grand spiritual purpose of guarding the truth and proclaiming the truth to all nations and tongues.  The church is glorious, spotless, and holy (Eph. 5:27).  The church strives to imitate Christ. The church is comprised of those who are God’s children (Gal. 3:26-27).  When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized by one Spirit into His spiritual body–the church (I Cor. 12:13).
The wisdom of God is unsurpassed!  It is the best of the best.  It is set in strong contrast to the wisdom of this world (James 3:13-18).  When we humble ourselves in the sight of the LORD, we will walk in His wisdom.  We will walk in His love, truth and righteousness. We will follow the wisdom from above and reject the wisdom of this world.

Greg Epstein wrote a book titled, Good Without God in which he makes the bold claim that Humanism can produce moral goodness without God.  Epstein is the Humanist chaplain at Harvard.  He attempts to provide a worldview for nonbelievers that provides a basis for morality.  The premise of the book is: Humanism can deliver morality without God.  Can we be good without God?  The question is not: Can we be good without belief in God? An atheist, for example, may be able to do some morally good things (as a matter of choice), but doing some good things does not make one good by definition.  No one is sinless (Rom. 3:23).  Consequently, all need a savior (John 3:16).  Jesus  is the savior of the world (John 4:42; I John 4:14). We cannot be good without God when we understand goodness/righteousness to be the result of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Can We Be Good Without God?
This is a question that focuses on the nature of moral values.  Are moral values/laws we hold dear the result of social convention?   Are they the result of personal preference (relativism)?  Or, are they valid and binding independent of our opinions being grounded in the nature of God and His laws?
Consequences of Naturalism
Naturalism is the view that moral values are the by-product of biological evolution and social conditioning.  This means that all moral values are self-determined and relative.  Under this view, the Holocaust could be justified on the basis of a form of eugenics that was advantageous to German Nazis.  If there is no God, anything and everything is permissible!  If a lion kills a zebra in order to have food to eat, does the lion kill (murder) the zebra?  Does it have to stand trial for killing the zebra?  If a great white shark forcibly copulates with a female shark does it rape it?  Do we hold it accountable for rape?  We make a distinction between the conduct in the animal world and human beings.  Human beings are not animals.  Human beings are held to a higher moral standard than animals.  Naturalism fails to make this distinction and treats human beings as if they were animals.  We recognize the truth that for human beings objective moral values and duties exist.
Consequences of Theism
Theism affirms that God is (Gen. 1:1 and Heb. 11:6).  God is good (Mark 10:18).  God is the only morally perfect Being (The Triune God) who is intrinsically good.  God is holy (I Pet. 1:13,14).  God is love (I John 4:8, 16).  God is righteous (Ps. 11:7). “For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”  Moral laws come from God.  The nature of God defines the nature of moral values/laws.  Moral duties exist because God has expressed His Will to human beings from the very beginning of the creation of mankind (Gen. 1 and 2).  There never has been a time, since human beings were created by God, that they did not have moral guidance from God.  When people give up their knowledge of God and rebel against God, they become morally reprobate.  Sin by definition is a transgression of God’s Will (I John 3:4).  People are not morally good when they violate God’s law and sin against Him.  The basic proposition of theism is:  If God does not exist, then objective moral values and duties do not exist.  Objective moral values do exist (murder, rape).  Therefore, God exists.
The Euthyphro Dilemma Resolved
This dilemma was named after a character in one of Plato’ Dialogues.  The dilemma can be stated thus:  Is something good because God wills it? Or, does God will something because it is good? The solution to this dilemma is: God wills something because He is good!  God, Himself, is the moral standard that determines good and evil.  God’s commands reflect His moral character, His holiness.  (see William Lane Craig, On Guard, pp. 120-121).
Sin Is Intrinsic Evil
Sin is defined by God in His Word (I John 3:4; 5:17).  All unrighteousness is sin.  Since all people sin against God, all accountable people must be saved from sin and its consequences (Rom. 3:23).  No one is good without God!  Through His love, mercy, and grace we can be saved from sin and justified before God. We are made perfect through the redemption that God has provided in and through His Son-Jesus Christ. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).  No one is good without being saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.  You cannot be good without God!  “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

“Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:7-8).
The word mocked is a translation of the Greek word mukterizetai from muktirizo which is defined as: “to contract the nose in contempt and derision; to toss up the nose, to mock, to deride.” Muktirizo is from mukter–the Greek word for nose.  When one “turns up the nose” he rejects something because he thinks it is not good enough for him.  He refuses to accept it.  A couple of examples will help illustrate the meaning.  First, “I offered the cat some food, but it turned up its nose and walked away.”  Second, “We offered her a pretty good job, but she turned up her nose at it.”
Some synonyms would be:  “to turn down,” “to dismiss,” “to ignore,”  and “to refuse to believe or accept something.”
God’s law and His justice cannot be rejected and held in contempt by individuals without reaping the consequences.  When we reject God’s law, we are saying that it is not good enough for us.  We believe we have found something better.  But, what we have found is not better than what God has to offer us.  Hence, this type of thinking involves self-deception and this self-deception is involved in the rejection.  We are accountable to God for the self-deception and the rejection of His word.  This rejection is unbelief.  Unbelief “turns up the nose” to God!  The gesture involving derision or contempt for the sacred things of God is offensive to the goodness of God.
Paul indicates that there are only two areas of choice:  flesh and Spirit.  When we sow to the flesh (live a life in pursuit of the fleshly lusts or sinful conduct) we reap corruption.  When we sow to the Spirit (live a life in pursuit of the spiritual things that belong to God or righteousness) we reap life (the abundant life and everlasting life).  This is an eternal principle of truth–you reap what you sow!  A person cannot sow to the flesh and reap life.  A person cannot sow to the Spirit and reap corruption.  But, many believe that they can sow to the flesh and still go to heaven!  This type of thinking involves self-deception because you cannot turn up your nose to God by unbelief and think that God is going to save you.
God offers us and gives us the best.  His grace, mercy, and love are unsurpassed.  His goodness is unsurpassed.  The lusts of the flesh or works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) do not exceed in value or quality God and His goodness.  The works of the flesh will corrupt and destroy your life.  Paul named these fleshly works in Galatians 5, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall to inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul also lists the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).  The two lists are set in strong contrast.  The end results of the pursuit of either way of life (flesh or Spirit) is equally different.  “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5-6).
Paul is instructing his readers not to be deceived (self-deceived) into thinking that they can turn up the nose to God (hold Him in contempt or derision) because they believe that they have found something better in pursuing a life of fleshly lusts (which is not better than the spiritual fruit God offers through life in the Spirit).  They will reap what they sow.

The first appearance of In God We Trust on a United States coin came in 1864, when In God We Trust debuted on the 2-cent piece following public appeal for our nation’s money to recognize God.  One such plea came in the form of a letter from a minister, M. R. Watkinson who sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase in November, 1861 that proposed the motto “God, Liberty, Law.”  Secretary Chase and United States Mint Director James Pollock were moved by the minister’s letter and replied, “No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe in His defense. The trust of our people should be declared on our national coins.”
The minister’s letter resonated deeply with Pollock, who recalled a lyric from the fourth stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner. The song, written during the War of 1812, includes the line: “And this be our motto–In God is our trust.”
An 1837 law required Congressional authorization of all new mottoes and devices on the nation’s coins.  So, the addition of a motto acknowledging God would fall not in the hands of Pollock or Chase alone, but rather occur only through legislation.  In December, 1863, Mint Director Pollock proposed either Our Country; Our God or God, Our Trust to appear on the new 2-Cent piece and other coins.  Secretary Chase replied to Mint Director Pollock with this suggestion: “On [the 2-Cent coin] with the shield, it should be changed so as to read IN GOD WE TRUST.”  On April 22, 1864, Congress passed the law permitting the creation of the 2-Cent coin with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.  Another law passed by Congress on March 3, 1865, allowed the Mint Director to inscribe IN GOD WE TRUST on all gold and silver coins that “shall admit the inscription thereon.”  (coinvalues.com July 20, 2021).
On July 30, 1956, two years after pushing to have the phrase “under God” inserted into the pledge of allegiance, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” to be the nations’ official motto.  The law P. L. 84-140, also mandated that the phrase be printed on all American paper currency.  The phrase had been placed on U. S. coins since the Civil War (1864).  Eisenhower’s treasury secretary, George Humphrey, had suggested adding the phrase to paper currency as well.  At a Flag Day speech in 1954, Eisenhower elaborated on his feelings about the place of religion in public life when he discussed why he had wanted to include “under God” in the pledge of allegiance: “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.”  (www.history.com 7/20/21).
The first paper money with the phrase “In God We Trust” was not printed until 1957.
Congress has reaffirmed the motto several times: in 2002, in 2006, and in 2011.
The motto, “In God We Trust” appeared on coins for the first time during an American crisis–the Civil War (1864).  It became the national motto in 1956 in reaction to the Communistic threat and the Cold War.
It is time to reaffirm this national motto to combat the forces of Cultural Marxism that are at work undermining Christian values and attacking and destroying marriage and the family.  In God We Trust is our national motto!  Let this motto be hearalded from every corner of this great nation.  Let every Christian reaffirm their faith in the true and living God who created us and redeems us.  Let us be willing to wear this motto in the public domain and publicize it in every legitimate way so that we can clearly let the nation know of our commitment to “reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future.” Preachers need to preach on biblical texts that affirm our trust in God.  “In thee O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion” (Psa. 71:1).  “For thou art my hope, O LORD GOD: thou art my trust from my youth” (Psa. 71:5).  “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).  “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe” (I Tim. 4:10).  “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD, GOD, that I may declare all thy works” (Psa. 73:28).
July 30, 2021 is the 65th anniversary of the signing by Dwight D. Eisenhower, president of the United States, of the law making In God We Trust our national motto.  If freedom is to ring, it will be because God is our TRUST.  True freedom is found only in God our savior (John 8:32, Gal. 5:1).

God’s questions probe the human heart.  Of course, God already knows the answers.  However, God leads us to discover the truth about ourselves.  Every person needs to take stock of their present circumstances.  Look back.  Look around. Look forward.  Are you in the best place that you could possibly be right now?  Where are you in your relationship with God?  Where are you in relationship to your faith?  Where are you in relationship to the truth?  Where are you in relationship to the mission/purpose God has given to you?  Now is a time for reflection, renewal, and re-commissioning.
God’s Servant
It is time for Elijah to reflect and reassess.  Elijah had just defeated the false prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel (I Kings 18).  After the great victory, he flees before Jezebel who threatens to kill him (I Kings 19:1-2).  He goes too Beersheba.  Here, he leaves his servant (19:3).  He goes a days journey and sits down under a juniper tree.  He requests for himself that he might die.  Elijah is isolated.  He is fearful. He is in despair. He feels alone.  It was time for him to slow down and stop.  It is almost impossible to reflect thoughtfully on our lives when we are constantly at full speed.  Stop and reflect. Recognize destructive patterns of thought and behavior. Identify a good direction. Make clear and correct choices.  Be ready to listen to God. Stop looking for something BIG to happen and look for small things like the still, small voice of God.
God Intervens
God sends an angel to minister to Elijah.  He is not alone.  The angel prepares food and gives him water to drink.  The physical body needs attention and care.  When we are physically depleted, it complicates our negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves.  God sends an angel to minister to Elijah a second time.  He is not alone.  The body and soul must be treated as a whole.  We must draw closer to God.  We must make the effort to close the gap between ourselves and God.  Soul care is just as important as the physical care of the body.  Do loving things.  Be constructive not destructive. Do no harm.  Be more creative.  Walk closer to God.  Elijah was in the wrong place.  God intervened and asked him, “what doest thou here, Elijah? (v. 9 and v. 13).  Elijah needed to move closer to God.
God Speaks
God confronts Elijah.  God had already demonstrated His presence and His power (I Kings 18).  God was with Elijah.  But, was Elijah with God?  God asks Elijah what he was doing in the wilderness.  Elijah replied that he was jealous for God.  Was he the only one?  God reveals to the prophet that He has seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal.  Elijah knows the sins of the people.  He is aware of the threat of Jezebel. His perspective is negative and he feels alone.  God allows Elijah to experience: strong winds, an earthquake, and fire.  Then, He speaks in a still small voice.  He asks Elijah the second time what he was doing there.  The prophet is forced to take stock of his present situation in light of the past and the future.  God directs Elijah to anoint the king of Syria, the next king of Israel, and appoint Elisha as his successor.  Now, all of these individuals will fight to accomplish God’s purposes.  Elijah is not alone.  There is the angel, the seven thousand, the kings and the prophets, and God Himself!  God gives Elijah a new mission.  Elijah cannot continue to stay in the wilderness and accomplish God’s purposes.  God was not done with Elijah.
God’s Servant Responds
Elijah listens to God.  He undertakes a new mission.  He finds a meaningful purpose in living for God.  His life will end, but not in a cave in the wilderness.  Instead, it will end in glory by being taken to heaven in a chariot of fire!
Grasp God’s Perspective
God’s perspective is much more powerful and positive than ours.  We need self-care, soul-care, self-awareness, and mission for God.  We must correct hopelessness, loneliness, and isolation by listening to the still, small voice of God that leads us to be more than conquerors.  God’s voice is found in His Word.  He will guide us in the paths of righteousness. What doest thou here, Elijah?  Go forth in the strength of the LORD!