Mark D stated: “A Christian poster had this to say: “Obedience to God’s Will and His perfect Plan is truly the ONLY way to find lasting peace, contentment, and joy.” What he doesn’t say is where does one learn about God’s Will? I know of no document where God’s Will is conveyed, so I am at a loss as to how to be obedient. God’s will must not have been very important, because Christians believe that He gave us free will. Secondly, why is obedience to God the key to lasting peace, contentment, and joy? The poster never says, but so many Christians are unhappy because they follow church teachings, so it seems hard to believe. Thirdly, he says that God has a perfect plan, but with 30,000 children dying every day either from preventable diseases or hunger, God’s plan hardly seems perfect. What say you?”

1) God’s will and instructions relevant to obedience are found in His written word, the Bible, and in His Living Word, Jesus Christ-Yeshua as Lord. (John 1)

What is God’s will? Jesus explains…

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (NASB)

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Happiness v. Joy in the Holy Spirit…

2) Christians are not seeking “happiness” which is contingent upon “happenings” and fluctuates with daily circumstances, but Christians seek joy and peace and contentment in our Lord which is everlasting and immutable through assurance of righteousness (a right standing) with God the Father for Eternity. There is no greater joy and peace than knowing with assurance that you are securely in a loving relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

3) The wise and prudent Christian does not follow Church doctrine but the doctrine of Christ as articulated within His Gospel (Good News). This is why the Christian is commanded to study the word of God and to show ourselves approved unto to God as a workman rightly dividing/interpreting the word of Truth through the power and tutelage of God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 2:15).

Concerning the Holy Spirit as Teacher…

“These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” 1 John 2:26-27 (NASB)

4) Concerning God’s Plan and starving children. Mark, you and every other atheist have been given dominion on this Earth; therefore, those children are YOUR responsibility. God has provided wisdom, knowledge, technology, science, and if you are truly concerned about these starving children around the World, it is hypocritical of you to point fingers at God when these children are YOUR responsibility. You have been given free will, go and intercede today!

Our Creator initially provided mankind with a Covenant of Provision-Peace-Sustenance but mankind rejected God and opted for narcissism and self-reliance; therefore, my admonition to Mark and the “concerned” atheists blaming God, get off your back-side and assist the Christian Churches around the World striving to feed and care for these starving children…don’t be an atheistic hypocrite.

Finally, lasting, immutable, peace and joy and contentment are only available by first trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and subsequently receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit of Promise by which the gifts and fruits of the Spirit can manifest in our lives via obedience. There is no peace or dignity or joy or life or wisdom or knowledge of Truth to be found in servitude to Satan via the lies and obfuscation that is Atheism.