“Most of us know about God, but that is quite different from knowing God.” – Billy Graham
Do you know God? Though there are many who go to church on Sunday mornings, not everyone who sits in a church pew or knows Bible verses is in a personal relationship with God. As Billy Graham notes, it is one thing to know about God and quite different from knowing Him personally. However, that is not to say that it is difficult to find God. On the contrary, God has made Himself near and available to us. The Bible says that creation declares God’s glory and power and His invisible attributes are clearly seen so that anyone is without excuse (Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20). Additionally,
Acts 17:23-27 states, “Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”
When the apostle Paul addressed the men of Athens in the Areopagus, he explained to them that they did not know the God that they worshiped, but God has made it possible for them to find Him. Due to the people of Athens being polytheistic (worshipers of multiple gods), they had altars dedicated to the many gods they worshiped. While Paul was in Athens, he noticed that there was even an altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD”. Paul capitalized on this fact and used it as a platform to reveal the One true God to them. Paul not only explains that God can be known, but also that He has placed us in specific times and locations for the very purpose to seek, grope, and find Him. Paul then emphasizes this truth by stating He is not far from each one of us. God is close to you.
Is that not amazing? God LOVES YOU and He is PURSUING YOU. He knows where you live and where you will go, and He is not far from you. It does not matter when or where we are, it is possible for us to find and know God. However, God will not coerce you. He will not make you seek Him or love Him. He desires to make Himself known to you and He has made it possible, but He will ultimately allow you to make the choice. There are many individuals who know a lot about God and may even be somewhat of a fan of His, but they do not really love Him. Jeremiah 29:13 states, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” We cannot know God, while keeping our hearts from Him. Thus, God wants us to pursue Him with the same love that He is pursuing us. If you desire to know the God who made you and loves you, then respond to His grace and seek after Him.
Let us rejoice in the fact that we have a God that pursues us with His love and graciously makes Himself known!
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