According to many atheists, living a life without the restrictions and guilt brought by a belief in God, is the only way a person can truly be free. The problem with this statement is that a majority of people who were once atheists but later turned to Christ, say the opposite about atheism.

There is no freedom in atheism. I know this because I was an atheist 47 years ago. I had no thought, concern, or desire for God, but I dd not feel free at all. I was a rock drummer in a touring Rock band, and had many of the things that people claim will make a person happy.

I found no peace or satisfaction in my atheism, hedonism, or materialism. In fact I felt empty, alone, anxious, and often afraid.

The moment I turned from my sin and began trusting in Jesus with my whole life, all of the former struggles I had as an atheist, were gone. After 47 years as a Christian, the former emptiness and fear never returned, and I have, not once, wanted to abandon Christ and go back to atheism.

In fact, the longer that I have known Jesus and continued to learn the Bible, the more certain I have become that my decision to abandon atheism was a wise and life-changing event.

I also discovered by four decades of scholarly study that all of the claims of atheism regarding the truth and reliability of the Bible, are lies. All of the Bible is true, and there is no proven evidence anywhere that any part of the Bible is not true. All that you will find are the opinions of atheists and the atheist scholars they reference as the source of their information. The entire claim that Jesus never existed, and none of the events described for Him in the New Testament were fabricated, is a brazen lie. We know more about Jesus in the first century, than any other person in all of antiquity.

New Testament Criticism

The following chart illustrates the stark difference between people who are truly saved, and those who remain atheists

It should be understood that the points stated by those who turn to Christ, are regarded as ludicrous to atheists. This is because their foundation for atheism that no gods exist, and there is no evidence for any gods, renders these points irrelevant.

It is my position that atheists make many claims about their freedom from God, but in the reality of their own lives, they do no experience peace or freedom.

I have asked atheists many times how they know that there is no evidence for God, since it is not possible that they have seen all the evidence that does exist. To make an all encompassing declaration that there is “no evidence for God,” is evidence that this statement is not genuine. It’s not possible to say, “there is no evidence for God, since no one has ever examined all the evidence that exists. All that any person can truthfully say is that they have not seen any evidence that convinced them, or they would accept.

What Is A Real Christian?

To some people this questions sounds strange. Most people believe that anyone who claims to be a Christian, is a Christian. Jesus said no, this is not true. It’s not what we claim about ourselves that matters, but what Jesus knows about us. Jesus said that on the day of judgment, many people will say to Him that they did many things for Him, but He will say, “I never knew you.”

“On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” ~Matthew 7:22-23

Jesus gave us the true definition for a genuine Christian: “You must repent, and be Born again of the Spirit.”

“From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God.” ~Matthew 4:17

“Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” ~John 3:3

Regardless what people claim for themselves, Jesus is the only authority on what a real Christian is. It is He who came from heaven to earth, so that He might gather together all those who are truly His. Jesus said that no one can be a true Christian until they repent from their sins and experience a second birth by the Spirit of God, by being, “Born Again.”

The Mystery Of Salvation: Who Will Be Saved; Who Will Be Lost?

Evidence And God

According to atheists, they first want to see evidence that God exists, then they will believe. God said that first we must believe He exists and sincerely seek Him, before He will reveal Himself to us.

“It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” ~Hebrews 11:6

This surprises many people because they are under the impression that God must prove His existence before they believe. From God’s perspective, He has already proven His existence by the the universe, earth, and human life. Humanists and atheists assert that these three are possible by natural processes, but this has never been proven. In fact, the complexity of the universe, earth, and human existence prove no natural process could create anything of complexity.

Why The God Of The Bible Is The Only Credible Source For The Universe

The God who created all that exists requires the following for salvation. The first five are the necessary steps to obtain salvation; the last two are required to finish their life with salvation.

1. They must believe God Exists (Hebrews 11:6).
2. They must seek to know God with all of their heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
3. They must first repent from all sin (Matthew 4:17).
4. They must be born again by faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection (John 3:3, Acts 16:31).
5. They must be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
6. They must diligently study the entire Bible for a lifetime (Daniel 2:21).
7. They must continue to believe in Jesus for all of their life (Matthew 24:13).

It is important to note that God only conveys the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit to the sincere who genuinely are sorry for their sins, are willing to turn from those sins, and believe that Jesus alone can convey forgiveness and eternal life to those who believe.

Atheists will say that the chart below is foolishness, because they don’t believe God exists, and therefore, all the points stated in this chart are irrelevant

The problem is: God does exist. He came to earth in the person of Christ and did everything we would expect from someone claiming to be God. During the time that Jesus was here on earth, even though many people saw Him perform a great number of miracles, they still did not believe in Him.

“But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him.” ~John 12:37

Evidence That Jesus Claimed To Be God

Jesus said something similar, to the people who came to see Him perform miracles that only God could accomplish.

“But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me.” ~John 6:36

Evidence has never been a barrier to faith. It is a hard heart towards God, and often a hatred towards God, that prevents people from turning from their sins and trusting in Jesus for eternal life. Simply put, people like their sins more than they like the idea of changing their life and following Jesus.

“And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.” ~John 3:19

Believe God exists, Believe God does not exist:

Hebrews 11:6: “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Admitted sinner, No admitted sinner:

Romans 3:23: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.”

1 John 1:8-10: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”

Sorry for sins, Not sorry for sins

2 Corinthians 7:10: “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”

Repentance from sin, No repentance from sin

Matthew 4:17: “From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Sincere trust in Jesus, No trust in Jesus

Romans 11:22: “Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.”

Born Again of the Spirit, Born once of the flesh

John 3:3: “Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Holy Spirit living inside, No Spirit of God inside

Romans 8:9-10: “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.”

Ability to know God, No ability to know God

Matthew 13:11-12: “Jesus replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Galatians 4:9: “So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you.).”

Led by the Spirit, Led by the flesh

Romans 8:12-14: “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

The hope of eternal life, No hope after death

Titus 1:1-2: “This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.”

Hebrews 9:27: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

Understand the Bible, Do not understand the Bible

Matthew 13:11-16: “Jesus replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.”

Slaves of righteousness, Slaves of sin

Romans 6:16-18: “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.”

Know the truth, Deceived by satan

John 8:32: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 Corinthians 4:4: “satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”

Belong to Christ, Captive by the devil

John 17:6: Jesus said: “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.”

2 Timothy 2:26: “Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”

No future judgment, A future Judgment

Romans 8:1: “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Revelation 20:11-15″ And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Live in a perfect world, Live in the Lake of Fire

Revelation 22:1-6: “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.”

Revelation 20:15: “And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Fullness of joy, pleasure forevermore, Weeping gnashing of teeth

Psalms 16:11: “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Matthew 24:51 “I will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Co-Ruler with Jesus, Held captive in prison

Revelation 5:10: “And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

Luke 16:23-26: Jesus said: “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

Eternal life, Eternal punishment

Matthew 25:46: “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Genuine peace, No peace

John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Isaiah 48:22: “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”

Genuine love, Artificial love/lust

Matthew 5:43-48:  “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.,

1 John 2:15-17:” Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Forgiving people, Holding on to the past

Matthew 18:21-35: “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Genuine Joy. Fleeting joy

Luke 6:23: “When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.”

Luke 6:24-25: “What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now. What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you. What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.”

The Word of God, The words of men

2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” See:Does 2 Timothy 3:16, Really Say The Bible Is The Word Of God?

1 Corinthians 1:19-20: “As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.”

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