Knowing God is a popular title, just search books at Amazon.com and see! God is like a man or woman, to know him/her I must meet them and then spend time with them. But can I know God? Why would I want to know God? There is a benefit in knowing other people. Is there a benefit in knowing God? But perhaps you don’t yet know that God is. Millions of persons alive do not even know that God is. That is certainly the first barrier between man and God. How do I know there is a God, that is know that He exists? I know my neighbors exist; I have seen them in the flesh. I know the President of the United States exists; I have seen him on TV. I know you exist even though I have never met you or seen you. Why? Why because you are reading this. But I don’t know your name, your face, your voice, or anything about you except that you can read (English). God is like us. He is there, and not many people know Him. How many people know you or me? But He is also very different from us. He knows every person dead and alive, and every person not yet alive. How many people do you or I know?
Many people are in denial of God, this in spite of the evidence of His existence. To say “there is no God” is not even a logical statement. What other thing is there none of? We need to understand the meaning of the word “no” before we can say “what” “is not”. “No” itself means denial. It implies that the subject it describes is absent, as is: "There is no money in my bank account." The human mind is a remarkable thing. Every day it deals with abstract ideas, things themselves which consist of complex electro-chemical impulses coursing through its bio-physical “grey matter”. The human mind is; the human brain is. Though you have never seen your own you have both. I know this is (true). Why? Because I know you are, and that you are reading the ideas that I am writing at this moment, though for you these are ideas that I have written at a former moment. I write like this not to dazzle you, but to begin to describe how much complexity is inherent in what seems so simple and ordinary.
Now a question I enjoy asking is this: “Can you name one thing that never has existed?”
Those who say there is no God surely mean that He has never existed. Take a moment and think, what other thing is there that has never existed? All the things that are do exist. Those things which do not exist are what? They are not. Many are the things which are. But few indeed are the things which are not! Have you though of one yet? If you have it may be the next big thing invented, it may earn you your first million! But it must first graduate from being an electro-chemical impulse to an invention which exists. Thoughts are real but they are only thoughts. Here are some URL references from the dictionary to look over:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not .
We fail many times to think things through enough, both in our own minds and as a village, and a village ought to think things through. Today’s world is evidence that the village has not often succeeded in thinking things through.
The Apostle Paul wrote that "all God's promises are yes and amen. Sin will not be there. I think the word no was invented when Satan sinned. With all my mind, heart and soul I believe that in the coming age of God's eternal Kingdom there will be no more need to say no to anything. The first recorded use of the words no and not are in Genesis 2:5 where vegetation and man himself are noted as not yet being (created). The first record of God using the word not is:
Genesis 2:15 And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.
Here God is advising that when what He can not approve is done, the doer heads toward death, and death is a state of notness. He almost might have said: "in the day you do eat you will not live."
By now you understand that I am a believer in God, and you may have surmised that I am a believer in whom we English speakers call our God and Father of Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews, the Christ, the Savior (of all those who believe).
Please consider this often quoted passage from the Gospel of John.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3
“The beginning” refers to the beginning of the creation of “all things”. Things God did not make have no beginning.
Certain “ideas” are common to all men. One is the “idea” of beginning. “Things” really get a bit strange here. Can you say Twilight Zone? It is better than that, but it stretches the uninitiated mind. I claim no expertise, only that I have thought things through to exactly “where they are” in my mind (even if they seem to wander a good bit). So: Certain “ideas” are common to all men. One is the “idea” of beginning. If you know someone who has no idea about the beginning of a thing, he/she is probably about two years old and only yet unable to speak of it to you. The problem of a beginning is that because it is, we thing of what happened before it began, and wonder when it will end. And these ideas are universal to mankind, though it is true that most people are much more occupied with now than with then or with when.
In a newer translation of John 1, the New International Reader's Version we read: “In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.”
Man is now wrapped up between the beginning of things and their end. This is certainly true of mans (his/her) own life, and it began at their conception, continued at their birth and will end at their death. We know that now in 2008 AD (CE) there was a time, that is things existed, or things were, before we were born. There is an unverified claim that in the Dominican Republic there is a woman who is 128 years old. If she is the oldest person alive today, no one alive today was alive in 1879. We have all had beginnings. We will all have ends. It is the before and the after that start the trouble. For this, questions invariably arise which lead back into eternity and forward into… eternity. Today the question of “origins” is still a very hot debate between those who believe God made everything and those who believe in no God at all. If there is no God at all, there is nothing made. If nothing has been made then there seems to me to be no beginning, just a change in the form of things which have always existed in other forms. Those who think all things come into existence by “random” chance, or by “accident” and yet still seek answers to the question of origin(s) show just how deeply imprinted we are with the “idea” that the universe has a grand beginning, a big bang. Why? To get to this answer we must tackle the idea of design, and the question: “Did God design all things?” Here again we will encounter the amazing ability of many to deny things which are just as they are and have them to be NOT as they are.
The question of origin(s) is in the end a debate about the existence of Divine Personality and Intelligence and Design- or… not. It seems to me to be clearly one or the other. If God is the source and author of all design it makes perfect sense that man made in His image. All things are “ideas” that God brought into being. Making man in His image, God created man with intelligent ability, able to have ideas similar to His own, and able to make “things” today which were not yesterday. There is a big difference between God’s ability and mans. This difference is a stumbling block to many men. For in denying God man “enjoys” a quantum leap promotion to master of his own world and fate (as much as any man can be able). Man is quite self deceived to believe he can make use of every divinely given attribute of intelligence to design the order of “his world” as he sees fit. Yet relying on the ability to intelligently design his world, man now denies the Source of all intelligence; the universe which he studies by design and for the design inherent in it- this he denies has been designed. H calls design an accident. He relies on the accident of design to learn what is true of things and ignores the mind which published the universe as easily as man publishes the daily newspaper.
Good science from its beginnings has always led man to understand more of the design of things. At the same time it has revealed an infinite complexity which I believe will never be mastered by man. If it were, man would be as powerful as God, which is to say he would be God. Many men have wanted to be that powerful, and the havoc and mayhem they have caused is a good reason for God to keep a great deal of His ability in perpetual mystery.
The real problem men have is this: if men are persuaded that God exists, particularly if the God of the Christian Bible, then they will have to bow to His desires of and for them. Men have histories of pursuing their desires, acting as individuals unbound by God, as unconcerned with God’s authority as they are with the well being of their neighbors. The result? - sin, crime, and war. If those who believe in no God, and in creation by “random chance” or “accident”, were able to achieve the peace which they profess to pursue, then they might be believed. God on the other hand has communicated a unified complete and sufficient message which informs man of His existence, His character, His motives, His History His Son Jesus, and His future. God’s message also informs us of our beginning, our corruption and fall, our history and our destiny. This message is persuasive, yet few find the way to its virtue and promise. Why? We men are very corrupt, and very narrow minded, much more concerned with blood sugar that blood atonement.
I wanted this to be a very persuasive article. And I thought I could write it so sweetly that everyone reading it might be persuaded. But as sweet as God is, so also is He righteous. His virtue is flawless. He cannot look on sin with approval of any kind. He has endured the evil doings of men for six millennia and there is an end not to His patience but to his suffering. When He is done suffering, and when He has finished the remaining purposes of His will, I think His patience with be vestigial. If you are reading this as a God denier or a God hater, or a willful and habitual criminal, PLEASE spend some time pursuing truth. Be relentless until all your intellect and ability is satisfied concerning the claims of Jesus and the Bible. If they are false, there are no losers and no winners, all die the death. If they are true and accurate, those God accepts as His own gain everything; the loss of those He denies is inestimable. Who are they that God will deny except those who deny Him?
© 2008 David Severy
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Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
John 3
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
