Where Did I Come From?

In one of my meetings the Lord led me to answer life’s three biggest questions. They are: where did I come from, who am I, and where am I going.

I have found that most people have never answered these questions satisfactorily. In this article I will not attempt to answer all three, but I will begin with “where did I come from?” Although the most important question to your spiritual and emotional well-being is “who am I,” it’s one that cannot be answered until you are sure of your origin. The way you answer that question dictates how you determine who you are.

I’ve asked many people, “Where did you come from,” but I remember one man, in particular, who just started giving me his genealogy. That was not the right answer. It was true that he descended from his grandparents and parents biologically, but that was not his true origin. He didn’t know that we are literally an extension of God, created by Him. From the book of Genesis we know that God created the heavens and the earth and everything that came out of them, including us. In Psalm 139:15-16, David was speaking to the Lord and saying, “You know all my parts and had them numbered before they were ever formed in my mother’s womb.” We were known by God long before genealogy ever entered into the picture.

The Bible teaches that every human being who has ever breathed has an intuitive knowledge of the existence of God. It may not be clear, but it’s there. It is possible, however, to deny its existence. You can harden your heart to the point where you no longer feel any conviction or, even further, reach the point of becoming a reprobate, where God actually takes the knowledge of Himself away.

An agnostic or an atheist is simply a person who has hardened their heart to that still small voice of God that operates like a homing device. But the Scripture says that inside of every person, there is a God-shaped vacuum.

Romans 1:18-20 says,

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

If you will really meditate on these verses, you’ll learn that you don’t have to tell people that God hates their sin. You don’t have to tell them that God is holy and they are unholy, worthy of His judgment. The wrath of God has been revealed to every man and woman, and they are without excuse. That is why it’s so important to tell people about God’s unconditional love and grace. They already feel condemned; they need to know how to get set free.

While I was in Vietnam, I started a Bible study. In one of our meetings, a proclaimed atheist decided he would attend and create a little trouble. He succeeded: he ridiculed me, asked questions I couldn’t answer, and basically made me look like a fool. Then, he just walked out and took all the men in the Bible study with him.

About thirty minutes later, this man came back. I was praying, “God give me another chance to reach this man.” Suddenly, he walked over and, standing in front of me, said, “I want what you have.” Surprised, I said, “You do?” He told me that he knew he had discredited me and out argued me on every point, but what I had was more than an argument. He continued, “You have a real relationship with God and I want one.” Praise God, I was able to lead this man to the Lord. This proclaimed atheist told me later that deep in his heart he really knew there was a God.

Everyone knows there’s a God! That homing device that God placed on the inside of you is constantly sending signals; it’s a still small voice. Psalm 46:10 says,

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

I believe this is literally talking about getting still before the Lord not only physically but mentally. Your ability to hear that voice is hindered when you’re listening to the radio, watching television, or entertaining yourself in some other way. I have found that many people can’t stand to be still. They can’t stand to be in the house alone without some distraction. Why, because when they get still before the Lord, those three questions keep coming up: Where did I come from, who am I, where am I going.

I guarantee you that on the inside of every person, if they will admit it, there is the voice of God telling them of His existence. He is telling them that they are not the center of the universe, there has got to be something more important than serving themselves. That voice tells them there is someone bigger and more powerful than themselves and that they should be serving Him. The most miserable people I’ve ever met are the ones who think it’s all about them, loving themselves, serving themselves, and getting things for themselves. If they ever get quiet, the voice inside will begin to speak to them, and they will learn a very profound revelation. It’s simple but true: There is only one God and you’re not Him. Continue Reading