In God we trust. This phrase emblazons every piece of currency minted by the United States government. Good as it sounds, the question begs to be asked: Which God? Is this God in whom we trust the god of the Christian? The Jew? The Hindu? The Muslim? The Mormon? The pantheist? Unfortunately, it isn't specified.
Faith in God is easily proclaimed. Celebrities and politicians often testify to their faith in God, but we're left to ponder just which God they believe in. It would be simple if there weren't so many options. As the apostle Paul stated, "there are many gods and many lords" (1 Corinthians 8:5). But, he states: "yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." (1 Corinthians 8:6).
A man named Nehemiah, a respected jewish servant in an Iranian (Persian) government (ponder the irony of this in light of modern-day events), declared something similar to Paul in public prayer: "You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You." (Nehemiah 9:6)
There is wisdom in sorting out the gods so that we can be certain we know the One True God. He is respectfully addressed as the LORD - a substitute for His personal name, YHWH, of which there is some uncertainty as to how to pronounce. Without question, He is known to His children in Christ as, "Father". Perhaps nothing is more touching or personal as this supreme privilege: "but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba (Daddy)! Father!" (Romans 8:15).
Many fear the God who will one day mete out destructive judgment, and rightly so if they do not know Him through faith. But, those who know Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Messiah, can echo Nehemiah's words: "But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" (Nehemiah 9:17)
I want to know the real God; the authentic One among many so-called gods. I want to savor the privileged status of being His child in Christ, and to bask in His luxuriant grace, compassion, and kindness. A heart's desire to do so is the first step in conversation and communion that richly provides assurance, comfort, and encouragement from this One True God. May we each be responsive to such opportunities this day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
Faith in God is easily proclaimed. Celebrities and politicians often testify to their faith in God, but we're left to ponder just which God they believe in. It would be simple if there weren't so many options. As the apostle Paul stated, "there are many gods and many lords" (1 Corinthians 8:5). But, he states: "yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." (1 Corinthians 8:6).
A man named Nehemiah, a respected jewish servant in an Iranian (Persian) government (ponder the irony of this in light of modern-day events), declared something similar to Paul in public prayer: "You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You." (Nehemiah 9:6)
There is wisdom in sorting out the gods so that we can be certain we know the One True God. He is respectfully addressed as the LORD - a substitute for His personal name, YHWH, of which there is some uncertainty as to how to pronounce. Without question, He is known to His children in Christ as, "Father". Perhaps nothing is more touching or personal as this supreme privilege: "but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba (Daddy)! Father!" (Romans 8:15).
Many fear the God who will one day mete out destructive judgment, and rightly so if they do not know Him through faith. But, those who know Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Messiah, can echo Nehemiah's words: "But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" (Nehemiah 9:17)
I want to know the real God; the authentic One among many so-called gods. I want to savor the privileged status of being His child in Christ, and to bask in His luxuriant grace, compassion, and kindness. A heart's desire to do so is the first step in conversation and communion that richly provides assurance, comfort, and encouragement from this One True God. May we each be responsive to such opportunities this day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:35 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home