How does one know that God exists? We know that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17), but is there any evidence outside of the Bible that can help man believe?

Cause and Effect. We all understand there can be no effect without a cause. Something has to be behind the things that we see and experience. Where did the universe come from? There are only three ways that we can account for the existence of our universe. The first is the theory that the universe is eternal - that it has always been here. We know this is not a realistic explanation, for matter is not eternal. Science has proven that the universe is "winding down," which indicates that it had a beginning. The second explanation is that the universe created itself. However, there is no known natural process by which matter spontaneously creates itself. Nothing comes from nothing. The third explanation is that the universe was created by some force outside of itself. This is the only alternative that reasonably explains our existence. Something was in existence before this physical universe that was greater than the universe and caused it to come into existence.

Design Demands A Designer. The universe is full of examples of intelligent design. The sun exerts its gravitational pull upon all the planets in such a way that everything in our solar system is kept in balance. Scientists can accurately predict events in our solar system because they have discovered the pattern by which it functions. The earth is the perfect distance from the sun, and rotates at the perfect speed, to sustain life. If we were closer to the sun, we would burn up. If we were further away, we would freeze. The earth rotates at a fixed tilt of 23 degrees, which gives us our seasons. The moon is at just the right size and distance from the earth to affect the tides, which keep the oceans from becoming stagnant.

Your car is made up of many different parts which work together. No one would argue that a car created itself or suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was obviously designed and manufactured by intelligent people. The human body is made up of millions of interrelated parts which depend upon one another in order to function properly. Any auto mechanic can look at the human body and appreciate the fact that it was designed and created by someone.

There is perhaps no greater question than whether or not one believes in God. If one chooses not to believe in God, he will have no authority outside of himself (he will live however he wants to live. However, if one believes that God exists, he will have a reason to live in accordance with that belief, recognizing that he is accountable to God as his creator and judge. What do you believe?