"The GOD You Can Know !"

 

     Everyone has questions about GOD. What is HE like ? Does HE really care about me ? How do I get to know HIM ?

     On one occasion, a class of students were drawing pictures about people from the Bible. One youngster was especially intent in her work. "What are you drawing?" an observer asked. "Oh, I'm drawing a picture of GOD," she replied confidently. "Well, that's a nice idea," he answered, "but really no one knows what GOD looks like." "Oh, they will when I get done !" she replied, and hurried on with her drawing.

     Think about that for a moment: "They'll know what GOD looks like when I get done." An overstatement ? Yes, for a four-year-old. But not for JESUS CHRIST. HE came to show us GOD.

     One of the names given to JESUS is "EMMANUEL," which means "GOD with us." When JESUS was on Earth, GOD was on Earth. When JESUS healed, GOD healed. When JESUS forgave sinners, GOD forgave sinners. The Bible says that "GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF." (2nd.Corinthians 5:19)

     When JESUS came to Earth, HE revealed GOD through simple, yet beautiful figures of speech. HE said, "I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD. . .I AM the DOOR. . .I AM the Bread of LIFE."

     A good shepherd is a tender-hearted person, seeking the lost sheep. So GOD is compassionate, seeking each lost man, each lost woman in our big, bustling world. HE is the DOOR. Through HIM is the knowledge of GOD. HE is the BREAD of LIFE. HE is to your soul what bread is to your body.

     On the Cross of Calvary JESUS fully revealed GOD's love. When HE died, HE was actually taking our place that we might live. There HE took the punishment that you and I deserved for our sins. Why ? The answer is divinely clear: "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." (John 3:16)

     By CHRIST's birth, HIS life on Earth, HIS death, and HIS resurrection from the grave, we can know GOD. HE promises: "I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the FATHER but by ME." (John 14:6)

     Do you know GOD ? Or do you just know about HIM ? There is a big difference. You can know all the theological facts but not know HIM. Knowing GOD requires personal faith in HIS SON and what HE has accomplished for you. Coming to HIM is your admission that you are turning from your sins to receive JESUS as your personal SAVIOR and LORD (repentance).

     GOD's WORD says that all of us are born sinners, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD." (Romans 3:23), and the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a). But JESUS made the only way for us to be forgiven by coming and dying on the cross of Calvary to pay our sin debt in full. Then HE was buried and after 3 days rose from the dead. GOD's WORD says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13)

     JESUS CHRIST invites you: "BEHOLD, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear MY voice, and open the door, I will come in" (Revelation 3:20). Come to CHRIST today. HE is GOD's answer for your questions.

Adapted from an article by

Harold J. Sala

     If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer of salvation:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     The LORD JESUS said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie