Common Blunder: Modern world? Man-centeredness.
@ The Bible does not argue about the existence of God. It declares it!
@ The Bible does not give us any proofs of the existence of God, it assumes it!
@ We must know our God before we can fully appreciate His works.
1) God has disclosed Himself to them – Romans 1:19
2) Sinful men actively or willfully reject their knowledge of Him – Romans 1:25
3) Total depravity of men lead them to think irrationally and to deny God’s existence – Psalm 14:1; 53:1; Psalm 10:3-4; 1:18
4) There is willful suppression of the truth of the reality of God’s existence – Romans 1:20, 25, 28, 32
1) We begin to know God as our loving Father in heaven – Romans 8:15
2) The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are Children of God – Romans 8:16
3) Come to know Jesus living in our hearts – Ephesians 3:17; Philippians 3:8, 10; Colossians 1:27; John 14:23
4) Though we have not seen Him, yet we love Him – 1 Peter 1:8
Note: These arguments can never create saving faith. It is more than enough to condemn man but is insufficient to save.
Can God be known? This question of knowing God is the end, the supreme end, of all religion. It is great thing that should be in the forefront of the mind and heart of every one of us.
The Bible teaches what is called the INCOMPREHENSIBILITY OF GOD. It means God cannot be finally comprehended or understood by human beings; it means that we can read around the doctrine of God and try to grasp it with our own minds, but by definition, God is incomprehensible. We can never know Him in the ultimate, final and complete sense (1 Tim. 6:16; Romans 11:33; Isaiah 55:8-9). Yet, though God finally is incomprehensible, He is, nevertheless, KNOWABLE!
The knowledge that we can have of God’s being will never be anything but a partial knowledge. But it is partial, it is nevertheless real; though it is not complete, it is a true knowledge, enough to lead us to glorify Him!
God’s Self-disclosure of Himself to Man
Note: Hence the need to increase continually in the knowledge of God – Colossians 1:10; Phil. 3:6ff; Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Evidence of Knowing God
Uniqueness. One of a kind. Like no other. The most basic revelation of God in the entire Bible is that He is only one God. God is God, and nothing else is God. God created all else, so, by definition, everything else cannot be God!
God is unique in that He is totally “other” than His creation. His nature is completely different than ours, or any other created beings. Therefore, any analogy or example that we might use will break down at some point. We simply can’t compare God to anything, because to do assumes that there can be anything in creation that can be likened to God. Hence, any form of idolatry is gross wickedness before God.
“To whom will you compare me?” No answer is given, for there simply is no answer. God cannot be compared to anyone or anything, for He is unique, alone as the Creator of all things. (Jeremiah 10:6-7)
God’s uniqueness results in men owing Him reverence and worship. His great power calls men to bow down and worship before Him. (Were it not for sin, this would be the “natural” response of the human heart. God is to be praised simply because He is God. (Psalm 113:5-6; Isaiah 40:12-18). Who indeed has instructed God? Who has taught Him anything? We cannot compare God to anyone or anything. HE IS BEYOND OUR CAPACITY TO EVEN DESCRIBE, LET ALONE FULLY COMPREHEND.
Note: It is our nature, as sinful rebels against God, to “re-create” Him in our own image. We place upon God human characteristics and motivations. But God denies that He is a man, or like creatures in His knowledge, power or purposes. We are uncomfortable with such a God. We want Him to be more like us, more susceptible to our failures, our problems. His uniqueness should keep us from compromising the truth of God for the sake of presenting God in a (supposedly) less “threatening” way. We should seek God’s truth about Himself and be content with that, if we are truly committed to the authority of His Word.
Hi Ronie - and welcome to the forums.
These forums are to discuss the use of Logos software and related products.
Are you using Logos software? Do you have any questions regarding its use?
Graham
Hello Graham
No, am not using any logos software, sorry for my post if am not allowed.
Ronie
Well, at least Ronie noted right off the bat, 'man centeredness'. Whew.
"God will save his fallen angels and their broken wings He'll mend."