Considerations for why coming to know God by believing is not ‘unreasonable’

Believing is needed to relate to God because it is by Faith that he, himself, achieves what he purposes

(Belief is needed in relating to God because faith is integral to all that he is and does. God is spirit and he is portrayed as having created the material universe by speaking it into existence. He exercised faith that what he spoke would appear from that which was without substance and not seen.

This means that adopting a stance of ‘unbelief’ cannot provide a workable basis for having a relationship with him of any mutual benefit. Not believing (e.g., because he is invisible) hinders us from seeking and therefore receiving the abundance of all that he desires to share with us as spiritual beings.)

References:

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3 NIV

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  . . . Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1: 1‑3, 26‑27 NIV

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6 NIV

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. Psalm 33:9 NIV

Praise him, O sun and moon! Praise him, all you shiny stars!
Praise him, O highest heaven, and you waters above the sky!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he gave the command and they came into existence.
He established them so they would endure;
he issued a decree that will not be revoked. Psalm 148: 3‑6 NET

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55: 10‑11 NIV

. . . fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Go to: Topics List:    this page     main navigation page

References:

This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1 John 3:23 NASB

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29 NIV

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 NKJV

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 NIV

"And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22 NASB

Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5 NASB

But those who depend on faith, not on deeds, and who believe in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is this faith that God takes into account in order to put them right with himself. Romans 4:5 GNT

Then Jesus told [Thomas], “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 NIV

But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10: 38‑39 NIV

For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in him will not be disappointed." 1 Peter 2:6 NASB

Go to: Topics List:    this page     main navigation page

References:

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 NASB

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1: 8‑9 ESV

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8: 24‑25 ESV

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24 ESV

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 NIV

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3 NIV

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” 
Luke 17: 20‑21 NIV

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 NIV

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 NASB

"And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.”
John 5:37 NASB

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:18 NIV

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NASB

No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. John 6: 46‑47 NIV

By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. Hebrews 11:27 NASB

Who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see To Him be honour and eternal dominion! Amen. 1 Timothy 6:16 NASB

 [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15 NASB

Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; Were He to move past me, I would not perceive Him. Job 9:11 NASB

Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; Job 23:8 NASB

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also . . .  Matthew 6: 19‑21 BSB

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me’.”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1: 12‑18 NIV

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3: 5‑8 NIV

Go to: Topics List:    this page     main navigation page

References:

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. Psalms 37: 30‑31 NIV

The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 1 John 5:10 NASB

But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." Mark 5:36 NASB

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3: 17‑19 NASB

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1: 8‑9 NIV

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13 NASB

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:18 NIV

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8 NIV

But the righteousness that is by faith says:  . . . “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For . . . the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10: 6‑13 NIV

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away. Matthew 16: 1‑4 NIV

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 1: 18‑22 NIV

And Jesus said to him, " . . . All things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 NASB

Go to: Topics List:    this page     main navigation page

References:

Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" John 11:40 NASB

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24 ESV

And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:26 ESV

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.
John 6:47 NASB

He who has believed and has been baptised shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Mark 16:16 NASB

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
John 1:12 NASB

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26 NASB

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20: 30‑31 NIV

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3: 16‑18 NIV

The righteousness of God [is] through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; Romans 3:22 NASB

But the scripture says that the whole world is under the power of sin; and so the gift which is promised on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ is given to those who believe. Galatians 3:22 GNT

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water'." John 7:38 NASB

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14: 1‑2 NASB

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” James 1:46 NASB

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John 3:36 NIV

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NASB

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1 NIV

"Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2 NIV

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience . . . Hebrews 10:22 NIV

But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 13‑18 NASB 

(‘Near to the Kingdom of God’ - a sincere enquirer or thinker may arrive at a point that would warrant this description used by Jesus about some people that he met during his sojourn on this earth. Oh dear reader, may you begin to take those first, even tentative, steps towards your eternal, loving, heavenly Father. Having come near, such a response would be so infinitely better than to hang back and remain finally so far away as to never experience the ‘riches of His mercy and grace’ - his intended inheritance for you. Such a shrinking back is something that God regards as a tragedy and the deep regret of his eternally longing heart.

He appeals to our heart because it is only there that he can truly begin to reveal Himself to us.

He invites us to experience him and receive from him simply by ‘believing’ – necessary because of our existential human limitations and inborn inability of ourselves to ‘know’ Him. It can only be resolved by receiving what He has provided for ‘bridging the gap’, as it were, i.e. Him reaching out to us and reconciling us to Himself. It is a ‘free’ gift, available to any and all, requiring only a grateful and humble acceptance of our own inability to know him and to be in right relationship with him. To accept is to demonstrate willingness to surrender the assertion of our own self sufficiency, autonomy and all attempts to remain independently master of our own destiny.)

Here I am! I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and [commune] with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 NIV 

Go to: Topics List:    this page     main navigation page

Next: How does God ‘reason’ with us?