You Can't Boss God

Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the atheist who made a public challenge to the Almighty. He wanted to show the foolishness of believing in God as Creator and deal a blow to Christianity in particular. He appeared before a crowded auditorium and dramatically said something like this: “If there really is a God, then let Him strike me dead right here and now.” After a period of waiting filled with suspense, the atheist smugly declared victory. He ended his performance with words to the effect of, “Just as I suspected, I’m still alive. There is no God!” To his thinking, he had fully demonstrated the power of his position and exposed the impotence of religion.

The atheist’s challenge seems exciting until you realize the whole premise is horribly flawed. God, our awesome Creator, does exist. The Almighty sees and hears all. So why didn’t God prove His existence by killing that wicked man?

First, because God doesn’t take orders from any man. God does not kill on command just like He does not grant or withhold forgiveness based on human demands. You can’t boss God! The Heavenly Father does not take orders from His children. Consider that there is such a vast difference between mankind and God (Isa 55:8-9; Rom 11:33-36). Yet, our God has revealed what we need to know about how He operates. He will always behave righteously (Num 23:19; 2 Tim 4:8; Heb 6:17-18) and what He requires of us can be known and accomplished (Mic 6:8; Matt 11:28-30; 22:37-40; 1 John 5:3).

Second, because God has already provided evidence of His existence. Mankind has been given the testimony of the intelligently designed creation (Psa 8:3-4; 19:1; 111:2; Rom 1:20). Mankind has been given the testimony of resurrection from the dead (Psa 16:10; Matt 28:5-6; 1 Cor 15:3-8). Mankind also has the unequaled teaching of the gospel of Christ (Matt 7:28-29; John 7:46; 20:30-31; Gal 1:6-10). On top of that, the God-breathed text shows several points of prophecy, scientific foreknowledge, and complete unity. All of this is more than adequate for the honest truth-seeker. We shouldn’t expect deity to “jump through hoops” just to satisfy our demands or curiosities (Matt 16:1-4; Luke 23:8-9).

Third and best of all, because God is loving and patient. What a joy to know that our Heavenly Father is rich in mercy! The longsuffering of our God is highlighted in many different scriptures (Exo 34:6-7; Psa 86:5, 15; 1 Tim 1:16; 2 Pet 3:9). Our God doesn’t desire the destruction of men and women who deny and disobey Him. He extends His kindness to the unjust as well as the just (Matt 5:44-45; Luke 6:35-36). His will is that all mankind would come to know the truth and have salvation by obeying the teaching of His grace (1 Tim 2:3-4; Tit 2:11-12). The work of Jesus particularly should demonstrate how much God is on our side (John 10:17-18; Rom 5:8; 1 Pet 3:18). God wants the best spiritual benefit for all people, even an arrogant and rebellious man who foolishly thinks he can boss God.