Blind Faith and the Eye of the Octopus
"A startling coincidence" and "amazing almost beyond belief." These are the words which evolutionary scientists use to describe the similarity between the eye of the octopus and the eye of man. According to evolutionists, the octopus and the human are about as far apart on the evolutionary tree as two species can get. Supposedly, their only common ancestor was some primitive organism that existed millions and millions of years ago. Yet their eyes are amazingly similar. What are the chances of that happening? Just imagine -- the marvelous human eye, evolving from pond scum, not once, but twice!
It is interesting to see the way evolutionists ignore facts and mathematical probability when it comes to things like the eye of the octopus. In The Life of the Ocean, a book published by McGraw Hill and written by evolutionists, the authors admit that the eye of the octopus and the eye of man "are more than just similar--they are virtually identical in every detail." They say that "either of these eyes, considered by itself, is one of the most wonderful of all objects in the natural world. That evolution could produce such an object twice is amazing almost beyond belief" (pgs. 68-69).
Evolutionists indeed believe that the creation of a human-like eye occurred twice through evolutionary chance. They admit that this is "amazing almost beyond belief," and yet they believe it anyway. Then they turn around and accuse Christians of having "blind faith." Whose faith is really blind? If the evolutionist would open his eyes to the facts, he could see the plainly visible holes in the general theory of evolution. Even an octopus could see them.
---Steve Klein
In our modern society, telling the truth is not as valued by some people as it was in the past. Consequently, when people tell the truth, some will not accept it. Jesus taught, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (Jn. 17:17). The word of God is "truth," but so many reject it. Why do people disregard God's word? Why will they not accept it?
First of all, people reject the truth because of ignorance. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (Jn. 8:32). How can you accept what you do not know? This is why God desires all to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). Some believe that ignorance will be excused or overlooked in some way. The Bible plainly teaches that ignorance will not be overlooked (Acts 17:30). If you are ignorant of the word of God and desire to learn it, then simply study your Bible (2 Tim. 2:15).
Others will not accept the truth because they cannot comprehend HOW God does something. The Jews are classic examples of this principle. They, through their traditions, believed that the Messiah would come and set up an earthly kingdom, yet to their dismay, Christ established a spiritual kingdom that was not of this earth (John 18:36)! The Jews could not comprehend HOW Christ could have been the Messiah of prophecy. Such is a common attitude today! Some will not accept what Jesus says concerning baptism (Mark 16:16): "Preacher, I just can't see HOW baptism saves people!" Let us remember that it is not ours to ask, "How?" We must simply obey every command of God that applies to us!
Some will not accept the truth because it is not what they want. For others, the truth does not appeal to them, or, they are not willing to pay the price (Lk. 18:18-27; 14:26-33). I am truly sorry to see people who have this attitude, but nevertheless it exists. If this is your attitude, I hope that you will change your desire and accept the truth, which is the power of God to salvation (Rom. 1:16).
What is your attitude toward the truth? Our plea is that you will love the truth (2 Thess. 2:10), trust in God's word and obey its commands.
---Tim Johnson
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BIBLE FACTS ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GOSPEL!
It Is God's Power To Save Us: -- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation" (Rom. 1:15). The word "gospel" means "good news." Therefore, this is God's "message" to us. It is not a feeling, what we think, a "church creed," but God's message concerning our salvation.
There Is Only One Gospel But Many Perversions: -- This was true even during the first century and it is true now. Further, if we teach or believe and obey an altered gospel, we are accursed. "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:6-9).
We Must Obey The Gospel. If We Do Not, We Are Condemned Along With Those Who Refuse Any Knowledge Of God: -- "...to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Thes. 1:7-9). "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God" (1 Pet. 4:17)?
We Are To Preach The Gospel To Everyone: -- If there is only one gospel, it is God's message concerning our salvation, it has been perverted, and everyone must obey it to be saved, then we see the great significance of helping people know what it is. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mk. 16:15,16).
---Phillip Owens
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