The Known God

            Can humans really answer the tough questions about God?  Does He exist?  What is He like?  Will He really punish sinners?  Can He forgive me?  Does He know what I’m going through?  Does He care? 

            Comprehending God and His existence is not difficult.  Through His Creation and in many Scriptures He has provided unlimited proofs about Himself.  Paul says that it is built into us to search Him out and find Him (to know Him - Romans 1:19-20).  So, we “see” the results of His presence by looking at His creation and noticing His work within and around us.  The questions above, then, are only “tough” because (1) we don’t know Him as we should, and (2) we do our best to make knowing Him “tough.”

            Paul’s sermon in Acts 17:22-31 is an excellent discussion on God’s constant desire to be known and to be loved by His creatures.  His address was in response to an idol he saw while wandering around the city of Athens; the one inscribed “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.”  So, when asked to answer for his weird beliefs, he chose to make known this seemingly unknown God.  He provides a wealth of information, still available to us today so that we too may know Him:

            He is the creator of everything – that includes you (17:24);

            He is all-sufficient – doesn’t need anything from us (17:25);

            He provides all of our needs – not the other way around (17:25);

            He has established all of the rules – we are to live in step with Him (17:26);

            He made us with the desire to search Him out (17:27);

            Our total existence is all wrapped up in Him (17:28);

            Repentance allows us to return to Him for healing (17:29-30).

            All we need to know about God, He has revealed to us.  The Scriptures are full of accounts from God Himself and the testimony of faithful eyewitnesses.  And Jesus Himself was the visible information of God’s true nature lived out in human form (John 14:9; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 4:9-10).  Jesus proved God’s desire to make Himself known to you.

            God has also done everything possible to bring you forgiveness and to restore the loving relationship He desires to have with you.  All that’s needed is to recognize the damage your sins have caused, and return to God so He can restore you to your original created purpose. 

            Now, honestly, what more do you need to know in order to make this choice?

Doug