Some time back our family had the opportunity to visit the
Grand Canyon for a few days. If you’ve been there then you
probably remember how breathtaking it is. I still find myself
from time to time gazing at photographs from that trip. Some
of the pictures almost look more like a painting than a natural
scene. What a tremendous display of God’s handiwork and
power in the nature he created for our enjoyment.

During our visit we walked along a paved trail on the canyon’s
south rim, and I could not help but notice a couple of obvious
facts wherever we turned. First, the signs of a cataclysmic
event, described as the Noahic flood in the book of Genesis
were undeniable when viewing the landscape and walls of the
canyon. Second, nearly every book, postcard, placard and sign
we came across, as well as the live lectures and films that were
offered denied the very existence of such an event and the God
who sent it. There was certainly no shortage of “reasons” for
how and what formed the Grand Canyon, but to be sure, you
would have been hard pressed to find one that gave credit to
The Creator!

Now, as we strolled along and I grew more and more aggravated
with this seemingly blatant disregard for the Almighty, I could
not help but find myself pondering Psalm 14:1; The fool has
said in his heart, “there is no God”. Like any good Christian
parent I felt it my duty to point out the error of Darwinian
evolution and its false worldview to my children. How foolish
the thinking was that we saw posted everywhere! Perhaps you
are in agreement and would have done the same thing. But as
our time at the Grand Canyon passed, I began to reflect on
another aspect of Psalm 14:1, one that is perhaps often missed
by most of us. I began to ponder how we believers live out our
lives at times in the same manner, that is, as if there is no God.

To be clear, let me say that the reality of this type of living,
and why we do it is much more subtle than what we see in
the culture around us. Christians don’t intentionally verbalize
a lack of belief in the existence of God. But you see this type
of living is played out in everyday life for the believer; in
our relationships, our sinful choices, and in the secret and
“unnoticed” areas of our struggles. We don’t see ourselves
denying the reality of God when we choose to not forgive
others, harbor jealousy, or lash out in anger. Neither do we
see ourselves denying God when we give into temptations like
“minor cheating” on our taxes, or taking advantage of others
in business or the workplace. Are we so foolish to think that
since no one else seems to know, that the very God who knows
us better than we know ourselves does not notice either? The
Scriptures are full of warnings of the opposite; that all of life is
lived out before the very open eyes of the Lord. (Proverbs 15:3)

Now, lest you leave this article with your head hung low, as if a
massive guilt trip has just been hoisted upon you, time would
be better spent considering not only how we, at times, live as
if there is no God, but why we do this and what God, through
Christ has done about it. Indeed, the Gospel is once again good
news to every believer. It lifts our heads, our hearts, and our
outlook. We must not miss its significance in our struggle, or we
risk its true message being veiled.

To do this let’s examine a little closer some of the examples I
sighted above, the first being forgiveness. When we choose not
to extend forgiveness to others, be that our spouse, our children,
other family members or someone in the church, we are in a
sense living as if there is no God, at least the God we claim to
know. We may speak of His attributes or the virtues of Christ
to anyone listening in our Sunday school class or community
group, but when we face the difficulties of living together do
we represent these attributes of grace, mercy and the unmerited
forgiveness we have so richly received in Christ?

Both the apostles Paul and Peter spoke of the truly indescribable
grace and mercy that God, in Christ extended to we sinners.
They pointed to our union with Christ and all the blessing and
empowerment that it holds, enabling us to fulfill our calling
of being his image bearers. Peter went on to say in the second
chapter of his first epistle, “For to this you have been called,
because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so you
might follow in his steps”. You see, when we do not demonstrate
a willingness to forgive, we exchange what we know to be true
about God for another worldview; one that gives no attention
to the Savior who accomplished so much for us. In contrast,
a true, un-warped evaluation of our hearts leads us to an
appreciation for God’s grace demonstrated to us by His Son
Jesus. The absence of this is a devastating lack of grace in our
relationships, which leads to exacting payment from others for
wrong received. This is exactly the opposite of what the Gospel
teaches and granted freely to us at great cost to Christ. The
Gospel is all about giving people what they do not deserve.
We must take great care to recognize when we have lost our
focus on the Gospel so we can avoid emphasizing something
quite the opposite in our actions. This is one way we live, albeit
temporarily, as if there is no God.

There are perhaps many other examples of how we believers live
at times with an absence of God in our decisions. It is vitally
important we identify these areas of sinfulness and repent from
them. It is also crucial that we seek to understand why we do
them in the first place. In many cases our choices spring from a
lack of trust in God. We forget that He has promised to supply
Jesus on our behalf. Our greatest need was provided for when
God placed our sins on His Son, pouring His wrath out on
Jesus instead of us. This act of mercy reconciled us to Him,
secured for us eternal peace, gave us union with Christ, and the
ability to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
(Rom. 5:1, 2 Cor. 5:21, 2 Peter 2:24, 2 Cor.10:5) Indeed, what
the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians provides great comfort
to us; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you recognize yourself in
the struggles mentioned above, you certainly are not alone.
Much of the theme of this article is born out of my own sinful
tendencies. Fortunately, the remedy for us all is the same;
the saving and transforming power and reality of being new
creatures in Christ. He has set us apart, not only giving us a new
standing, but the promise of finishing His transforming work in
us. When we stumble and our failures are revealed, the Gospel
picks us up reminding us of our forgiveness secured by Jesus.
We do not have to live like there is no God because He is the
reality of our lives! He has put an end to sin’s dominion over us
and empowered us to live out the Gospel in every area of life.
In closing I would like to share a final memory from our visit
to the Grand Canyon. During one of our last walks on the rim
trail, we noticed a placard that was placed near a stunning view
of the canyon below. In the midst of all the other humanistic
messages throughout the area, it simply read, “All the earth
worships Thee; they sing praises to Thee, sing praises to Thy
name.” Psalm 66:4.

May our lives visibly declare the reality of our God and Savior
in the midst of an otherwise perishing world.

~Tim Menez