There are only two explanations for our existence. Either life is the result of blind evolutionary forces—a cosmic accident—or it is the product of a supreme Being who possesses knowledge, wisdom, and power beyond our comprehension. Evolutionists agree that there are no other options. How did it all begin?
The attraction of evolution is that if there is no God, we are left to ourselves to determine right and wrong. It leaves us with an “anything goes” society. However, if we are the result of an all-powerful and all-knowing Creator, there is Someone who can hold us accountable for the choices we make.
There is another fundamental and profound difference between these alternatives. One gives us purpose, meaning, and hope. The other cannot provide a lasting purpose, but leads us to the blackness of darkness forever, as if we had never been. There can be no life beyond the here and now if there is no God. With death would come the end of consciousness, never knowing what comes after. We would be no greater in importance than a small ant crawling across your kitchen floor, about to be accidentally squashed by your shoe. And if evolution is true, creating an imaginary God in our minds does not change that reality.
Thankfully, we have reason to believe in God and a more encouraging reality. Even scientists admit that the universe had a beginning—though they try to find an alternative to the evidence—and a beginning requires a cause for that beginning. Furthermore, evolutionary scientists also agree that the universe is so fine-tuned and life so complex that it is difficult to imagine it all happening by chance. Still, most hold to blind faith rather than admit the obvious!
Who or What Is God?
Many millions have lived and died believing in a god or gods, but reason tells us that a belief in all gods cannot be correct. What, therefore, makes us think that what we believe is correct? I have asked myself this question many times and am not afraid to ask it again. The evidence does not change, and the answer stays the same for anyone who has proven that God exists and that the Bible is His word—and who humbly searches the Scriptures to learn His will.
We rightly understand, however, that things are a bit more complicated than that. The true God is not discovered by human reason. He is not understood through intellect, but by the weak and base of the world whom He specially chooses (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). It is by His Spirit that spiritual knowledge is imparted (2:6–11).
God—through His Spirit and His inspired instruction manual—reveals a most incredible plan for mankind, a plan hidden in plain sight from all but a very few. When we obey the words of the Bible and observe the Holy Days and Festivals revealed within them, we come to understand a profound plan found nowhere else. That understanding does not arise from a simple intellectual exercise but from obediently keeping holy the time that God has designated: His weekly Sabbath and His annual Holy Days.
Is This Legalism?
We in the Church of God are often accused of legalism because we obey God’s commands. While that accusation is generally false, we can be guilty of legalism if we think that all we need to do is keep God’s laws and statutes apart from growing within their intended purpose. The Jews of Jesus’ day testify to this fact. They kept the Sabbath and even attached many additional man-made regulations that they thought would help them keep it, but they totally missed God’s intent—to convert the physical mind into one that fully embraces His way.
Just as there are only two explanations of how the universe and life came to be, there are only two ways and outcomes of life found in the word of God. Those contrasting ways are symbolized by the two trees in the Garden of Eden, and they were later spelled out for us in the sharpest terms:
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them (Deuteronomy 30:19–20).
God’s laws are the foundation of an orderly society, but physical man without God’s Spirit does not have the heart to obey and comes up short (Deuteronomy 5:29; Romans 3:23). It is only when God’s Spirit is imparted to us by the laying on of hands following baptism that a complete change may begin. Then we no longer obey those laws only out of fear of consequences for disobedience, but as God’s sons and daughters we can embrace them in our hearts and minds. Our natural hostility to the law of God is removed (Romans 8:6–9).
The Feast of Pentecost reminds us of this great transformation that must take place. The Spirit of God unites with our human spirit to begin a new life, just as a sperm and an ovum begin a new human life. But that fertilized ovum—a zygote—must implant, be nourished, and grow. We dare not remain as an unplanted and unnourished zygote. We must allow God’s Spirit to guide us in putting to death the old man. “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:13–14).
The “once saved, always saved” doctrine of mainstream Christianity is easily disproved (Hebrews 6:4–6; 10:26–31). Therefore, we are told, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (v. 23). Note that this warning is in the context of those who forsake assembling together: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (vv. 24–25). The overwhelming majority of us came out of COVID-19 assembling as we always did, but a few have failed to return to their previous pattern of regular Sabbath attendance, thinking they can sit at home and take part online—or, worse, not at all!
A Dim Mirror
Pentecost also reminds us that God is only calling a select few. Those of us so blessed have entered a child-parent relationship that extends far beyond our few years in fleshly bodies. “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:15–17).
It is difficult to fully grasp what that means, and we are not alone in that difficulty, as Paul explained: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Let us meditate on these things. Life is no accident. We were created for a purpose. This is not a game we are playing. Those of us called now have been given a privilege beyond anything we could imagine or deserve. Let us be diligent to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10)!