let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:6-8
Opportunity does not knock on our door every day. God reaches out to us through His messengers who do not speak to us every day. Today is the day of salvation! God demands that we seek Him while He may be found. Tomorrow there may be no messengers at your door. You may not even be alive to respond to God's calling. Think with me on this eternal truth.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how many people believe that they know God but don't really know Him and His will for their life. Likewise, I've been meditating a lot about the certainty and uncertainty of life. And as I reflect on this reality, I become aware that it is a certainty that we all will die one day, but it is uncertain as to when. It is a fact for all of us (except for those who are still alive when Christ returns), and we must accept and embrace it. What grieves me the most is that not everyone accepts this reality. They get busy with life's burdens and many distractions (jobs, careers, families, responsibilities, entertainment, pleasures, etc.), and these matters consume their time and become the primary focus in life. Sadly, they forget, ignore, and neglect the destiny of their souls. They forget to acknowledge that they will die at any time. They disregard the uncertainty of their lives here on earth, and that one day, they will be face to face with their Creator and give an account to Him for what they did while they were still alive. Their souls are at stake!
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how many people believe that they know God but don't really know Him and His will for their life. Likewise, I've been meditating a lot about the certainty and uncertainty of life. And as I reflect on this reality, I become aware that it is a certainty that we all will die one day, but it is uncertain as to when. It is a fact for all of us (except for those who are still alive when Christ returns), and we must accept and embrace it. What grieves me the most is that not everyone accepts this reality. They get busy with life's burdens and many distractions (jobs, careers, families, responsibilities, entertainment, pleasures, etc.), and these matters consume their time and become the primary focus in life. Sadly, they forget, ignore, and neglect the destiny of their souls. They forget to acknowledge that they will die at any time. They disregard the uncertainty of their lives here on earth, and that one day, they will be face to face with their Creator and give an account to Him for what they did while they were still alive. Their souls are at stake!
There is one thing I know for sure, and that is that material riches, beauty, power, honor, education, etc., are all vain and worthless if one does not seek God's will diligently and submit to the Lordship of Christ in all things. After death comes judgment! (Hebrews 9:27). So why not seek Him and live for Him alone while we're still alive and free to choose: life in Christ eternally or eternal death? Why not reflect on the brevity of life, that our life is fleeting and that we will die one day though we don't know when? Why not live for the Lord, serving Him faithfully all the days of our lives here on earth? Why not be prepared to meet our God and receive salvation rather than damnation? Obedience to God's calling through His gospel of Grace is imperative. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is "the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). The following are powerful words of life to meditate on:
"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (James 4:14-17)
As I look at the current state of our nation: the political atmosphere, the degradation of the family, our schools, the high rate of drugs, fornication, and alcohol among our youth, I can't help but be grieved. There are so many souls at stake here that don't have a clue as to God's purpose in their life. They are being destroyed for lack of knowledge of the Truth. They even reject that knowledge. They don't realize that when they refuse to know God's Truth, it leads them to their own destruction. That is why I am moved to do this study. My fervent prayer is that I may help those hearts who are seeking God diligently to pursue a relationship (communion) with Him and come to know the Jesus of God's revealed Word, the Bible, and be saved. I have prayed that those who are developing a seeker's heart might find God so that they can know the blessings of a relationship with Him, that they may seek His face, pursue a close relationship with Him and respond to His calling (Psalm 27:8).
Our loving and merciful God loves all souls. They are all precious to Him. He desires all men to seek Him diligently, repent, and turn to Him, their Creator, for salvation (Psalm 14:2-3; Jeremiah 7:7-11). He wants all men to know Him, fear Him, have fellowship with Him, love Him, and have His approval (1 John 1:1-7). I assure you that if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him, your Maker, so that you can serve Him faithfully and willingly. But you must first seek Him with all your heart and soul that you may come to know God and all His ways, serving Him faithfully and abundantly.
In Hebrews 11:6, we are told that "without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Although the word "faith" (believe) can be a powerful word in the Bible, the word "must" used in this passage is much stronger. It is used to indicate something mandatory, necessary, and something that ought to be done. Therefore to seek God, one "must" believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him diligently. Without "faith," it is impossible to please God.
In Hebrews 11:6, we are told that "without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Although the word "faith" (believe) can be a powerful word in the Bible, the word "must" used in this passage is much stronger. It is used to indicate something mandatory, necessary, and something that ought to be done. Therefore to seek God, one "must" believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him diligently. Without "faith," it is impossible to please God.
The only truth is that we all, one day soon, whether we want to or not, will meet our Creator, our God. Therefore, why not seek Him while you are still alive so that you can repair your relationship with Him before it is too late. Your eternal destiny is important and is knocking at your door. Don't let it go! Why not seek Him and accept His invitation without resisting it? Jesus, our Lord, died for us that we might know His Father, be accepted by Him, be adopted by Him, be reconciled to Him, and be saved through Him. Therefore, do not neglect His great invitation of salvation, eternal life (John 17:2-3; 1 John 5:20).
I. HOW DOES ONE SEEK GOD, FIND HIM, AND KNOW HIM?
When man seeks God diligently, he will find God. In Deuteronomy 4:29, we are told:
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)What was true back then in the days of Moses is true for us today. In Matthew 7:7, our Lord Jesus stated:
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."Again in Acts 17:27, we read,
"that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."
Our God is not far from any of us, but we must seek Him diligently. Sadly many seek Him and turn to Him only when they're in distress (Deuteronomy 4:30), yet our God is all-merciful to the truly repentant one (Deuteronomy 4:31). I do not deny that it is good to turn to God when adversity strikes, but it is always so much better to seek Him, inclining our hearts to Him at all times.
- God is Knowable:
"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you."
Paul is standing amid the philosophers at Athens (the legislative body). He perceives that they are "very religious" in the way they lived their life, i.e., they seem to respect what is divine. Indeed, this is a good trait to have as long as one's religion pleases God. The problem is that many who are religious practice their religion only when it is convenient for them. It makes them hypocrites. You see, the Athenians were religious people though they severely misunderstood the concept of deity. These Athenians were exclusively Gentile. They worshiped idols. It was easier to find a god in Athens than a man! These were people who were very ignorant of God and the long-awaited Messiah.
Before Paul could preach to these pagan Gentiles about Jesus Christ, the Messiah, he had to correct their flawed religion (their faulty knowledge of deity). That is why it is vital to teach the "good news" to consider the level of knowledge a person might have and start from there, the way Paul did. Paul noticed an altar "to the unknown god." Of course, this "unknown god" was the only true and living God. Ironically, they would worship the only true God without knowing Him. Paul did not waste any time but went straight ahead, instructing those who would hear him about the living God. In Acts 17:24-27, he said,
"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."
Isn't it something that the "unknown god" that the Athenians worshiped without knowing was the true and living God?! The God that created everything! The true living God and giver of life.
- A God that does not live in physical structures made by men.
- A God that is almighty and all-powerful.
- A God, who is Lord, Master, and Ruler.
- A God who exercises authority over all His creation.
- A God who does not need anything offered from men like food or drink.
- A God who desires men to submit and surrender to Him alone.
- A God who wants complete and faithful obedience from His creatures.
- A God who is the Sustainer and not the sustained one!
- A God who has set boundaries on mankind and that regulates them (Daniel 4:25).
- A God who wants all mankind to seek Him!
- A God who wants humanity to search for Him and find Him!
Therefore, all of humanity is obliged to seek Him while there is time. This is exactly what Paul was eagerly trying to teach and help the Athenians to grasp.
You see, as Paul was trying hard to teach the Athenians to seek God, he indeed assured them that God was not far away from any of them. He helped them to acknowledge that God was involved in their lives. Our awesome God is near to all who are diligently seeking Him. He has made everything possible for man to know Him through Christ. Our God did not ignore or overlooked the wickedness of man. Otherwise, there would not have been any need for a Savior. God expected these Athenians to repent the same way He wants all people today to repent of their wicked ways (Acts 2:38). He seeks to instruct all men in His divine nature and His plan of redemption through His Son. God wants to lead mankind to repentance, a change of mindset, and behavior. Our God desires all men to repent and obey Him. He wants all people to escape eternal damnation through the power of His glorious Gospel of Grace.
Sadly, there is a final Day of Judgment approaching (Heb. 9:27), and no one will escape it. We must be ready for it! This should be enough to move us to repent and obey Him and avoid condemnation. The only way to escape the eternal destruction of our souls is through obeying the gospel. Jesus, our Lord, and Savior will be the righteous Judge of all (2 Cor. 5:10-11).
- That same Jesus who was crucified for the sins of this world.
- That same Jesus who was resurrected and is alive again.
- That same Jesus, who was raised from the dead by the power of God, His Father, never to die again!
- A Jesus, who gives us hope through His resurrection, that according to God's promise, we will be raised again from the dead. Such a promise is beyond words!!
When Paul spoke to the Athenians about the "resurrection of the dead," they began to ridicule him. These Athenian Philosophers were not too much in agreement with a universal resurrection. Many decided to cling to their false beliefs. Yet, some seekers genuinely desire to hear and learn more about the gospel of Christ. Sadly, from what we read in the Scriptures, the gospel was not able to reach many souls there in Athens. But according to Luke, some did obey. Today we have the same problem. Why? Because the gospel message is preached to many different hearts, resulting in many different responses (Matthew 13). The seed is planted, but many do not respond well.
- Finding God Through His Revealed Word:
To know God, we must seek and rely upon the revealed Word of God (I Corinthians 2:9-13. Romans 10:17 and II Timothy 2:15). God's ultimate plan or intent is for men to "seek" Him (Acts 17:27).
God calls all men to seek His face and draw near to Him (Psalm 27:8). God calls us through His eternal Word to a cleansing of our mind and heart. What that means is that we must be willing to put away all sin. It is the only way to turn our hearts toward Him. His Word is alive and can penetrate the soul and the spirit by changing our intentions and way of thinking into righteousness. The Word can cleanse the hearts of all men bringing them into newness of life, but man must humbly accept the remedy for the illness of the heart called sin.
His Word restores our souls to perfection if we indeed want to know Him and want to be like Him. There is no other way! God's Word endlessly transforms us. God's everlasting Word does not return to Him void. His Word regenerates us according to the character of God. Our transformation or the renewing of our mind and soul is like a metamorphosis. It can only be accomplished through the Word of God, His Truth. His Word gives us excellence. And this excellency of His Holy Word is seen in us if we abide in it and obey it.
One can have knowledge of God and yet not know Him. In John 8:18-19, Jesus said,
The Pharisees thought they had knowledge of God, but in fact, they didn't. And since they didn't know the Father, they couldn't have fellowship with either the Father or the Son.
God is looking for true worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23).
Jesus said, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17) Jesus' words are words of eternal life. The Word of God offers us many benefits, such as peace, freedom, trust, purity, love, joy, and hope. But we must love it and let it bear good fruit or good results in our hearts. If we use God's Word, according to His will, it can prosper us and make us productive. God's Word will not return to Him void.
God has given us His Son, and in Him, we have everything we need to know about the Father. When we know the Son, we can know the Father and have fellowship with Him (John 14:6-9; 6:45). Jesus died for us that we might know God, His Father, be accepted, adopted, become heirs, and have eternal life (John 17:2-3; 1 John 5:20).
We can know God, the Father, through His Son. Through Jesus, we can find our way back to the Father. Jesus, our Lord, is our link to God. No one can come to the Father except through His Son, our Lord and Savior. Jesus came to earth to save us from the bondage of sin. Sin separates us from God, the Father.
God calls all men to seek His face and draw near to Him (Psalm 27:8). God calls us through His eternal Word to a cleansing of our mind and heart. What that means is that we must be willing to put away all sin. It is the only way to turn our hearts toward Him. His Word is alive and can penetrate the soul and the spirit by changing our intentions and way of thinking into righteousness. The Word can cleanse the hearts of all men bringing them into newness of life, but man must humbly accept the remedy for the illness of the heart called sin.
His Word restores our souls to perfection if we indeed want to know Him and want to be like Him. There is no other way! God's Word endlessly transforms us. God's everlasting Word does not return to Him void. His Word regenerates us according to the character of God. Our transformation or the renewing of our mind and soul is like a metamorphosis. It can only be accomplished through the Word of God, His Truth. His Word gives us excellence. And this excellency of His Holy Word is seen in us if we abide in it and obey it.
One can have knowledge of God and yet not know Him. In John 8:18-19, Jesus said,
"I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, 'Where is your Father?' Jesus answered, 'You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.'"
The Pharisees thought they had knowledge of God, but in fact, they didn't. And since they didn't know the Father, they couldn't have fellowship with either the Father or the Son.
God is looking for true worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23).
Jesus said, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17) Jesus' words are words of eternal life. The Word of God offers us many benefits, such as peace, freedom, trust, purity, love, joy, and hope. But we must love it and let it bear good fruit or good results in our hearts. If we use God's Word, according to His will, it can prosper us and make us productive. God's Word will not return to Him void.
- Jesus Came to Earth to Reveal His Father to Man:
"No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." (John 1:18)
God has given us His Son, and in Him, we have everything we need to know about the Father. When we know the Son, we can know the Father and have fellowship with Him (John 14:6-9; 6:45). Jesus died for us that we might know God, His Father, be accepted, adopted, become heirs, and have eternal life (John 17:2-3; 1 John 5:20).
We can know God, the Father, through His Son. Through Jesus, we can find our way back to the Father. Jesus, our Lord, is our link to God. No one can come to the Father except through His Son, our Lord and Savior. Jesus came to earth to save us from the bondage of sin. Sin separates us from God, the Father.
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2)
The Bible word "iniquity," "sin," and "transgression" are mistakenly understood as synonyms. The word iniquity refers to that which is perverted, defiled, or twisted. God has commanded us to walk the straight way, but when one perverts it, defiles it, or twists it (by changing it), one commits iniquity. Now to sin is to miss the mark, i.e., God's target. We sin by falling short of God's expectations or going beyond them without respecting His authority (Deut. 12:32; Col. 3:17; Lev. 10:1-2). To transgress is to rebel or trespass against God. The truth is that God hates all iniquity, sin, and transgression made against Him. He demands obedience out of us, His creatures. Turning against Him in disobedience is against God's holy nature.
Sin severs our fellowship with our Father. Sin is a grave thing, and we must not take it lightly. Sin is so serious to the Father that He had to send His "only begotten" Son to die for our sins. Our sins had to be atoned by the blood of Jesus. His death on the cross became the atoning sacrifice for our sins. It is through His shed blood that God, the Father, has made us alive with Christ and has forgiven us of our sins. It was through Jesus' atoning that we can have fellowship restored to the Father.
II. WHEN WE SEEK GOD, WE WILL KNOW HIS WILL FOR US:
When one is seeking God, he learns God's will for him. It means that one knows God and obeys His Son's teachings (2 Thess. 1:8; 1 John 2:3-6). So how can we find God that we might know Him and obey Him? By simply seeking diligently God's invitation; by accepting the duty of seeking; by not resisting it, and by wanting to know God and do His will.
Consider some thoughts about God's pardon and favor toward us when we are seeking Him and wanting to know Him and His will:
- God offers us salvation by inviting us to come and partake of His gift at no cost to us since His Son has already paid the ransom for us. This free gift is called Grace. Jesus already purchased us by His blood. Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father, who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:44) Notice that this invitation of pardon that the Father is offering to us is through His everlasting Word. It is the only way of salvation: by accepting his invitation, this free gift.
- God's pardon, His Grace, carries conditions that we are required to meet. These conditions are vital to obtaining such Grace or pardon. Consider these conditions:
- Hear the Gospel, Acts 11:14; Romans 10:17; James 1:21;I Cor. 1:18-21; 15:2; 2 Timothy 3:15; 2 Peter 2:20
- Believe the Gospel, Romans 1:16; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9
- Repent of sins, Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31; 2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 3:19; Acts 3:20; Acts 26:20
- Confess Jesus as Lord, Romans 10:9-10
- Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, Mark 16:15,16; I Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3 and Acts 2:38
- Live a faithful life unto death, Matthew 10:22; Acts 2:47; Romans 2:6-8; Eph.1:13; 5:23,25; 2 Thess. 2:10,13; Heb. 10:39; I Cor. 1:21; 15:2ff; I Tim. 4:16; Tit. 3:5; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; 8:11-12.
His Grace will be secured if we meet all of His conditions or requirements. So when one is a sincere seeker, he wants to know God's Truth; he wants to understand God's plan of salvation; he does not establish his own righteousness; instead, he wants to submit to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:2-3).
Some are seeking to know God's will for them. Others may need to be encouraged to seek the right way. They need to be shown God's way of forgiveness, but they need to be taught what it means to be saved. They likewise need to be taught about heaven, hell, and eternity. It is such a delight when we find someone that is diligently seeking to know the will of God. What a joy!! Jesus said, "Seek, and you will find" (Matthew 7:7). One who is thirsty to obey God's Truth will be able to understand His Word.
Take, for example, the Bereans of Acts 17:11, who received the Word with a readiness of mind. Their minds were eagerly open to accept and obey the Truth. They searched the Scriptures daily to see if the preaching of the apostles was true. With an open mind and an open Bible, one learns the will of God. These Bereans were not searching for human philosophies, opinions, creeds, or human traditions. They were searching for God's Truth in Scriptures. But they needed to be taught the Word of God to equip them for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). May we find open hearts like those of the Bereans who accepted the Truth when they heard it with meekness of heart.
To "turn" to God (convert) from lawlessness to righteousness with a sincere and repentant heart is not just an accident. To convert means to turn from and turn to. That is to turn from sin to a fellowship (communion) with God. This is a pure heart that chooses willingly to "turn" to the Light, to God from wickedness. It is the process in which man converts his heart of sin to God. It is the "spin" of the old life of sin to a new life in Christ.
So to know God is to obey Him. Through God's creation, His Word, and His Son, He points us to the One who loves us and desires to have a relationship with us, the Father. Our Lord Jesus has made known the Father to us. Therefore, if we know the Son well, we will know the Father as well. The Word of God produces faith in Jesus. When we seek God through His Son, our Lord, and Savior, we find the Father. Through faith in Jesus, we come to partake of God's divine nature, all of His promises, and finally eternal life with Him later. Let us get closer to God by reading and meditating on His Word. Jesus is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us that we may see the glory of His Father, full of Grace and Truth. Through the Father's Son, we have received Grace and Truth (John 1:1-18).
CONCLUSION:
God wants all men to obey and please Him. He is a God of consequences who does not tolerate an unrepentant and proud heart. He accepts and receives only a humble and contrite heart that seeks Him. He wants all men to seek Him to find Him. God is all-merciful and gracious and will not turn His face from man when he diligently wants to return to Him. He is also a God of lovingkindness. A kindness that overflows with love.
And though He is all merciful and full of lovingkindness, He demands obedience and will not tolerate the unrepentant heart. He, our Creator and the Sustainer of life, has all the right to demand that of us, His creatures. Therefore, we must understand well that though we are guilty because of sin, God is gracious to all those who diligently seek Him, turning to Him from sin! Isaiah 66:2 teaches us this,
Our God desires all humanity to have godly sorrow for their sins (2 Cor. 7:10). Therefore to seek God is to seek righteousness and humility (Zephaniah 2:3). Jesus spoke of seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness in Matthew 6:33. Therefore, the best time to seek Him and obey Him is now. Today is the day of salvation! Let us show a heart that diligently seeks after God. God is near to those who are seeking Him from their heart. He will not let them down. Let us take advantage of God's invitation and drink freely from the river of the water of life. Let us eat freely of the tree of life offered to those who want to wash their robes and enter the gates of the city, the heavenly Jerusalem, His church.
Everlasting life is only offered to those seeking, obeying, walking with, trusting, and serving the only true and living God. Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness is what really matters. Calling Him Master, acknowledging Him as the source of all life, the Light, the Way is not enough! It is not sufficient. Likewise, recognizing that He is all gracious, powerful, wise, and almighty is not enough either. Obeying Him and doing His Father's will makes our confession sufficient!
No man can know God except through Jesus, His Son (John 14:6; Matt. 11:28). Our Lord Jesus stands knocking at the door of all men, seeking all men to hear His voice and open the door that He can have fellowship (commune) with them (Rev. 3:20). He wants all men to obey His Son's glorious gospel. God wants all people to thirst for the Truth (Matt. 5:6) that they may come to His Son, Jesus. God wants all men to drink of the living water that refreshes the thirsty soul and gives them salvation through obedient faith in Jesus. Anyone is welcome to drink freely of this living water to satisfy their thirst by believing in Jesus and obeying His teachings.
May the Lord help us to present His Holy Word faithfully to the lost and dying world that they may know the peace and freedom that we have come to know through that Everlasting Word.
I want to leave you with the compelling words of this poem:
Luci
- Seeking the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness:
No one can "turn" (convert) to God if he does not willingly want to do it. When one loves darkness rather than light; loves lawlessness rather than righteousness, he cannot come to the Light and the Truth (John 3:19-21; John 5:39-40; John 7:17; Matthew 23:37).
"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." John 3:19-21
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling." Matthew 23:27
To "turn" to God (convert) from lawlessness to righteousness with a sincere and repentant heart is not just an accident. To convert means to turn from and turn to. That is to turn from sin to a fellowship (communion) with God. This is a pure heart that chooses willingly to "turn" to the Light, to God from wickedness. It is the process in which man converts his heart of sin to God. It is the "spin" of the old life of sin to a new life in Christ.
Therefore, conversion takes place in the mind of man, whereas forgiveness takes place in the mind of God. After conversion, man obeys the gospel of Christ, and God in heaven forgives man. Isn't it marvelous!
But, man must keep growing in the knowledge of God through His Word, right after conversion.
That is, this new convert or new Christian must strive to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, worthy of His calling; pleasing His Lord in all the aspects of his life; bearing good fruit, and finally growing in the Word of God (the knowledge of God Colossians 1:10).
That is, this new convert or new Christian must strive to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, worthy of His calling; pleasing His Lord in all the aspects of his life; bearing good fruit, and finally growing in the Word of God (the knowledge of God Colossians 1:10).
- How do we Know When We Have Come to Know God?
Hence, to know God is to "approve," and to be known is to be approved (Psalm 1:6; I Cor. 8:3; Gal. 4:9; Rom. 8:29; 2 Tim. 2:19; Jn. 10:14). Notice what Jesus said,
"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." John 17:3
So to know God is to obey Him. Through God's creation, His Word, and His Son, He points us to the One who loves us and desires to have a relationship with us, the Father. Our Lord Jesus has made known the Father to us. Therefore, if we know the Son well, we will know the Father as well. The Word of God produces faith in Jesus. When we seek God through His Son, our Lord, and Savior, we find the Father. Through faith in Jesus, we come to partake of God's divine nature, all of His promises, and finally eternal life with Him later. Let us get closer to God by reading and meditating on His Word. Jesus is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us that we may see the glory of His Father, full of Grace and Truth. Through the Father's Son, we have received Grace and Truth (John 1:1-18).
CONCLUSION:
God wants all men to obey and please Him. He is a God of consequences who does not tolerate an unrepentant and proud heart. He accepts and receives only a humble and contrite heart that seeks Him. He wants all men to seek Him to find Him. God is all-merciful and gracious and will not turn His face from man when he diligently wants to return to Him. He is also a God of lovingkindness. A kindness that overflows with love.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
And though He is all merciful and full of lovingkindness, He demands obedience and will not tolerate the unrepentant heart. He, our Creator and the Sustainer of life, has all the right to demand that of us, His creatures. Therefore, we must understand well that though we are guilty because of sin, God is gracious to all those who diligently seek Him, turning to Him from sin! Isaiah 66:2 teaches us this,
"All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."Also,
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:17)
Our God desires all humanity to have godly sorrow for their sins (2 Cor. 7:10). Therefore to seek God is to seek righteousness and humility (Zephaniah 2:3). Jesus spoke of seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness in Matthew 6:33. Therefore, the best time to seek Him and obey Him is now. Today is the day of salvation! Let us show a heart that diligently seeks after God. God is near to those who are seeking Him from their heart. He will not let them down. Let us take advantage of God's invitation and drink freely from the river of the water of life. Let us eat freely of the tree of life offered to those who want to wash their robes and enter the gates of the city, the heavenly Jerusalem, His church.
"Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:1-5
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. Revelation 22:17
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son." Revelation 21:6-7
Everlasting life is only offered to those seeking, obeying, walking with, trusting, and serving the only true and living God. Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness is what really matters. Calling Him Master, acknowledging Him as the source of all life, the Light, the Way is not enough! It is not sufficient. Likewise, recognizing that He is all gracious, powerful, wise, and almighty is not enough either. Obeying Him and doing His Father's will makes our confession sufficient!
No man can know God except through Jesus, His Son (John 14:6; Matt. 11:28). Our Lord Jesus stands knocking at the door of all men, seeking all men to hear His voice and open the door that He can have fellowship (commune) with them (Rev. 3:20). He wants all men to obey His Son's glorious gospel. God wants all people to thirst for the Truth (Matt. 5:6) that they may come to His Son, Jesus. God wants all men to drink of the living water that refreshes the thirsty soul and gives them salvation through obedient faith in Jesus. Anyone is welcome to drink freely of this living water to satisfy their thirst by believing in Jesus and obeying His teachings.
May the Lord help us to present His Holy Word faithfully to the lost and dying world that they may know the peace and freedom that we have come to know through that Everlasting Word.
I want to leave you with the compelling words of this poem:
You call Me "Master" and obey Me not.
You call Me "Light" and seek Me not.
You call Me "Way" and walk Me not.
You call Me "Life" and desire Me not.
You call Me "wise" and follow Me not.
You call Me "fair" and love Me not.
You call Me "rich" and ask Me not.
You call Me "eternal" and seek Me not.
You call Me "gracious" and trust Me not.
You call Me "noble" and serve Me not.
You call Me "mighty" and honor Me not.
You call Me "just" and fear Me not.
If I condemn you, blame Me not!
Luci
Amen sister
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