Don Stewart :: Why Doesn't Everyone See That God Exists?

If God does exist, then why doesn't everyone in the world acknowledge it? Why are there people who deny the existence of God and others who say there isn't sufficient proof to know that God exists?

People Are Running From God

The biblical picture of humanity is one of a race running from God. The Apostle Paul wrote.

There is no one who is righteous, not even one. There is no one who has understanding, there is no one who seeks God (Romans 3:10,11).

Rather than seeking God, they are seeking to live without God.

They Do Not Wish To See The Truth

People do not want to know that God exists. Scripture says that wicked humanity is suppressing the truth of God.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth (Romans 1:18).

This is an active willingness on the part of people to keep the truth of God from coming to them.

People Substitute False Gods For The Real God

When people reject the existence of the true God they substitute false gods in His place.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles (Romans 1:19-24).

They worship the spirits of their ancestors, trees, rivers, mountains, and false gods and goddesses. They turned to worshipping anything but the only God who exists.

They Still Can Know The Truth

Jesus made it clear that anyone who wishes to know the truth about God's existence can certainly know it.

If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own (John 7:17).

It is a matter of people being willing to know whether or not God exists.

Summary

The Bible says that everyone knows that God exists. However many people do not acknowledge His existence. In fact, they are running from him - they are willingly and actively rejecting his truth. Although God is speaking to them, they are purposefully not listening. Instead of worshipping him they are substituting false gods in his place. However the Bible says that everyone still can know the God of Scripture - if they are willing to listen.