Sure Faith and Real Knowledge

Can we know that God exists, that Jesus is the Son of God and that the Bible is God’s inspired Word? Can we be sure that we have a soul and that heaven and hell are real? Can we know right from wrong? The world says no. God says yes. Here are some things the Bible says we can know:

• God Exists. In Romans 1:18-20 Paul wrote, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Paul said that even the Gentiles could “clearly see” the invisible attributes of God. He says they could understand the God exists. How? “By the things that are made”—the creation! And, he said there is no excuse for anyone denying that God exists.

• The deity of Christ. Jesus said, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him” (John 10:37-38). Jesus said the works or miracles He did proved that He and the Father were one (John 10:30.

• The divine inspiration of the Bible. Peter wrote, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” This is not a verse about the interpretation of Scripture. It is about the inspiration of Scripture. And Peter says we can know it is from God.

• The meaning of Scripture. Paul said in Ephesians 3:3-4, “By revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).” Neither Paul nor any other New Testament writer said we are unable to be sure we have the right interpretation of Scripture because everyone interprets it differently.

• True teaching from false teaching. “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17). Paul said, “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (I Thess. 5:21-22). We can know right from wrong. We can distinguish truth from error.

• That we are saved. “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (I John 2:3). “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (I John 5:13). Peter said to “make your call and election sure” in II Peter 1:10.

God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2:4).

Kerry

West End church of Christ • March 22, 2026