FCAP

How Can I Know God?

Do You Ever Wonder...How Can I Know God?

This is a question many people ask themselves! We do not get this question just from a teacher, or a philosopher, or a preacher. The question often arises from within, because we are created in the image of our creator. Have you ever wondered who created the world and the universe and for what purpose? And if there is a creator, can I know Him personally?

People try to find the answer to this question in different ways. Some look at the universe for the answer. However, its greatness and complexity can be overwhelming. We can feel like a speck of dust in a huge cosmic mechanism. Though there is beauty and consistency to the universe, its greatness seems impersonal. Some look at the earth and nature to find answers. We see beauty in our world, but also we see disorder and cruelty. We hear the news about earthquakes, droughts and tsunamis. Seeing their devastation make us wonder why they happen and if anything can be done to stop them. Others may look at humanity and civilization to find answers, but these seem just as complex. We wonder why humans can be kind to one another and then again so cruel and hateful. This problem touches our own lives and we even feel the effects of it personally. And then many look for answers by searching for meaning in various religions, philosophies, and worldviews, of which all have different founders and leaders.

If we look to the Bible, by starting with the opening chapters of the book of Genesis, we find God’s records of how He created the universe, the earth, and animals. But, it also describes a special creation of two creatures that would bear the Creator’s image. These two people, named Adam and Eve, were given a place to live with responsibility and accountability to their creator God. He gave them free range to work the garden and eat of most everything. He only asked that they trust Him by not partaking of the fruit of a certain tree. This tree was not evil in itself, but God chose to use it to test this man and woman’s trust and reliance in their Creator. It wasn’t long before they were tempted by a creature named Satan. He took advantage of their questioning God’s restriction, leading them to desire to be like God, by becoming independent of Him.

Being deceived, they decided to eat of the tree that God told them not to eat. The result of their choice was catastrophic.  It caused death over the whole creation. First they personally felt guilt because it brought a separation between God and them. Their own bodies would now be subject to death and the dying process. Next it would bring resistance and even ruin to the human environment. Humans would feel pain in their labor and in childbirth. Their relationships would be flawed by exploiting and manipulating one another. These and other affects would be ongoing and serve as a reminder, to everyone thereafter, that there is a root and basic problem in our world and in humans called sin. Daily, humans face the consequences of the brokenness of life by choosing to do their own thing without God. 

Thankfully, God did more than pronounce judgment on mankind. He proclaimed and provided the solution to bring restoration between the people and Himself. He began to reveal in various ways how He would ultimately provide the solution for us. However, the climax came when God himself entered history through the person of Jesus Christ, God’s son (Hebrews 1:1-3). He came to earth in a humble way, being born as a baby, growing up and revealing His identity. He proclaimed that God, His Father, gave Him as a ransom, putting Him to death as an innocent person yet at the hands of guilty people. His death on the cross was a public display of God’s love for us, by Him becoming our substitute and taking our judgment upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). God’s love wasn’t mere words, nor was it cheap. His holy and perfect character required Him to demonstrate that His dealing with sin and evil was done justly and yet also mercifully. The cross of Christ met the demands of justice as a ransom, while at the same time offered forgiveness and new life (Romans 3:25-26). His triumph over death was witnessed by many when He was resurrected from the dead three days after he was crucified, validating His claims to be God and fulfilling His mission to come as Savior of the world (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

God’s offer of salvation and new life is not based on race, nationality, social or economic status. It is offered to all people, and it is offered freely, because the saving work is accomplished only through God’s provision. We can do nothing to earn or achieve it on our own. Originally man and woman stepped away from God in order to become independent of Him. In contrast, God’s salvation is our taking a step toward becoming completely dependent on Him and His provision of salvation. It can only be received as a gift because all of this is God’s doing.  We receive this gift by faith, as a beggar would, with empty and open hands. By rejecting God’s provision, we choose eternal separation from Him. 

God’s salvation promises us eternal life, but this is more than you reaching a destination someday. It’s about entering into a relationship with God right now where you are at, regardless of the condition you are in. There are no degrees or levels we must reach in order to become savable by God. His salvation was accomplished and completed once and for all through Christ (Hebrews 10:10, 14). Eternal life begins now by experiencing His saving work in your life.

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

Do you know God? Not just know about Him, but do you know him personally? If not, His invitation is open to know Him:

• ŸFirst recognize that God took the initiative to demonstrate His love by first loving us (John 3:16).
• Next, humbly admit to God your fallen condition without Him, and your own self-made independence from Him, and your total inability to help yourself.
• ŸThen by faith…accept God’s provision of salvation from your sins by trusting Christ and His redemptive work on the cross. We are told in the Bible that God’s provision of salvation can only be received by faith. So, like a beggar with empty and open hands, receive God’s forgiveness and new life today.
  

“But as many as receive Him (Christ) to those who believe on His name, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

If you have additional questions, comments or would like to know more, please contact us- FCAP    (PMC)

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