by John Thiesen

From the earliest times of human history, men have sought God. There seems to be in humankind an innate need to look to a higher power and to know the Creator.

In this search for God, people do not have to look far to see that God exists. Nature is a great teacher in this respect: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20). God's creative power, benevolence, order; and love of beauty are all painted on the canvass of nature.

However, there are many things about God which nature cannot show us. For example, it does not reveal God's plans for us, nor His will for us. Nature does not tell us what to do to be saved from our sins or how to worship God. It does not reveal God's past dealings with our forefathers; neither does it tell about future things such as heaven, hell, or the judgment day. To know these things about which nature is silent, we need a revelation from God.

Many attempts have been made to find God in various ways, all of which have failed. Some have turned to worshipping nature itself, but that is serving the creature rather than the creator (Rom. 1:25). Others have carved, molded, or engraved images to worship, but these have no breath in them and are unable to see, hear, speak, walk, or to do anything to help the worshippers. Others have tried philosophy and meditation, but these have also failed because "it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23).

At various times in history God has revealed Himself through inspired prophets and apostles by miracles, dreams, visions, and signs. These men of God spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21).

In the fullness of time, God sent His own Son, who is the ultimate revelation of the invisible God. God "was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Tim. 3:16). In times gone by, God spoke to the fathers by the prophets, but now "hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (Heb. 1:1,2).

This revelation has been deposited into permanent, written form in the Holy Scriptures. The Bible contains the history of God's appearances and work in the world, His laws, His teachings, and the life story of His Son and Savior of the world, Jesus Christ the Son of God. When we read, believe, and obey these Scriptures, eternal life will be ours. "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name" (Jn. 20:31).

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 19.