Is God Knowable? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 1:16,

"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him."

"They" in this passage refers to folks Paul observes as "detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." Let's call them the folks from the "DDU" bench. I know the DDU bench all too well as this is the very place from which I heard the gospel message. I too was "detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." (Some may say I still am!) And, I have to say, by my actions, even though I may have claimed to know God, I didn't. However, the gospel did make it's way to me, and having responded to God's invitation, I am now headed in a new direction. In this new direction, can I now know God... truly know God?

Since the fall of man in the garden, mankind has been estranged from God. A simple review of the world's religions precludes the notion that many in the world really know God well at all, given so many different perspectives and teachings. We don't have to go further than that to see man's separation from God and a literal ignorance of him. The Scriptures, however, tell us we can know God.

Paul's prayer for the believers in Ephesus acknowledges they knew God, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." Ephesians 1:17. It was Paul's prayer that these believers would know God better. To this same church, Paul prayed they might know the full dimension of the love of Jesus Christ, 3:17-19. Paul prayed the Colossians would grow in their knowledge of God and God's will in matters, Colossians 1:9-10.

Peter speaks of grace and peace that believers can experience by their knowledge of God, 2 Peter 1:2. Peter points out that it is through our knowledge of God that we can live a godly life, participate in "the divine nature" and escape the corruption of the world. 2 Peter 1:3-4. John tells us that those who truly love have been born of God and know God, 1 John 4:7.

The Scriptures are clear that we can, indeed, know God. Listen to this fascinating passage, "We declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'— the things God has prepared for those who love him—  these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, 'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

It all begins with placing our trust in Jesus Christ through the gospel message and then availing ourselves of God's revelation to us through the Scriptures with the wisdom the Holy Spirit provides. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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How Can I Say I Really Love God? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 1:16,

"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him."

People can say whatever it is they want. Often, for whatever reason, what is being said is not so. It has always been that way in the church from apostolic times. Here Paul tells Titus that there are those who claim to know God, but what they do tells another story. What we do validates, authenticates what it is we have to say. The reality is that our actions prove our words.

The church, from its earliest times, has had those within its ranks (those who really are not believers) that deceive, that are dishonest, that tell lies and teach things that have no bearing in truth. Here we see them on the Island of Crete that Titus will have to deal with.

John had to deal with these kinds of folks within the church as well. "Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1 John 2:18-19. John goes on to say in verses 26-27, "I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him." John tells his readers the same truth Paul did to Titus, that actions speak louder than words. He says, "If you know that he [Jesus Christ] is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him." Verse 29.

Look at what people do - it can verify their words.

This is pretty much the basis for what James has to say about the kind of faith that brings us into God's family. Faith that expresses itself in the things we do is the kind of faith that saves us. He says, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." James 2:17-18.

The validation of God's expression of his wonderful love for us is found in the things he has done. In considering the death of the Son of God on that cross Paul says, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8.

Our actions prove our words. If this be true, and if I say I love God, how did I demonstrate that this past week in the things I did? In the past 168 hours, how did my actions prove, validate, authenticate, the love I claim to have for God?

A sobering question, isn't it?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

A Corrupt Mind Or The Mind Of Christ? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 1:15-16,

"To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."

Corrupted minds. We live in an age where we hear some of the most baffling things. At times it seems like everything is just upside down. Those who seek to protect the helpless in the womb from slaughter are accused of waging war against women - when half of those slaughtered in the womb are female! What kind of sense does that make? Birth control (as in the "morning after pill") is spoken of as "healthcare". Since when did pregnancy become a disease?

The campaign to remove every vestige of Christianity from the public square is promoted as "freedom of religion." Since when did the heavy hand of silencing any religion protect anyone's freedom of religion?

"Christian leaders" who promote the acceptance of homosexuality maintain that the acceptance is an act of love and kindness our Lord desires from us. Yet our Lord says it is "detestable" and commands his people from it,  Leviticus 18:22, and that to remain in that lifestyle will keep us from inheriting the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 6:9.

So many examples could be referenced, and I'm sure you have plenty you could add to the list yourself. I'm certain we all have noticed how twisted the reasoning is we encounter these days. I suspect we often feel that people who entertain such thinking are halfwits, but the reality is that some of the brightest minds today engage in twisted thinking. Likewise, it is not an issue of education. Some of the most twisted thinking I have heard has been from those who have had plenty of education (maybe therein lies a culprit!).

Paul tells Titus that the minds and the consciences that are corrupted are those of unbelievers. He says they claim to know God, but by their actions, they deny God. May I add: even many who are behind pulpits! I note that the same word that expresses God's feeling toward homosexuality is the same word that Paul uses to describe those with corrupted minds: detestable.

I'd love to think I am cut from different cloth. However, as bad as my memory may be, I can recall the kind of thinking I engaged in and the arguments I promoted prior to having a relationship with the Lord. It would certainly be viewed as that which comes from a "corrupted mind." I'm sure positions I held then were viewed as detestable by God. Maybe you are different, but I came from the "DDU Group": the group Paul describes as "detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."

As detestable, disobedient and unfit, sporting a corrupted mind and conscience, I was a prime target for salvation. Knowing I needed to be saved gave me the motivation I needed to turn to the Lord when the gospel was given me.

Of the many wonderful things the Lord gives those who turn to him is first aid for a corrupted mind. In fact, Paul says, "What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, 'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:12-16.

Just how wonderful is that?! Saved from a corrupted mind!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Our Common Faith - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 1:4,

"To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior."

Paul points to the "common faith" both he and Timothy shared.

We are all aware of the differences that exist between the various religions, denominations, churches and fellowships. Sometimes the perspective is advanced that God is who he is to you and he is who he is to me. He may be one thing to you and another to me. One is persuaded of a certain flavor of theology and someone else may be persuaded of another. When I read comments like Paul's to Timothy in his salutation, I suspect he would be horrified at our acceptance of this state of affairs. He speaks of the "common faith" they both shared.

What may get missed at times is the realization that God is not a subjective concept that is one thing to one person and another thing to another. God is who he is. He exists in objective reality. The basis for the common faith that Paul and Timothy shared did not lay in Paul's evangelizing or discipling of Timothy, but that they both served the one, true God. In another letter Paul speaks to this. He says, "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-5. There Paul points to the grounds for us all to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Here is where common faith is found. Although we may all have differing needs, differing trials and difficulties, differing levels of maturity, etc. in the Lord, we need to rid ourselves of the notion that God is what each individual makes him out to be. Our God exists in a majestic splendor that is all his own and it is not changed one wit by my perspective of him. I need to embrace him for who he is, not what I think I want him to be. God, after all, is the ultimate reality of being.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Beyond The Dimentions Of Time And Space - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 1:2,

"... the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..."

So many aspects of God that are revealed to us fascinate me, as do most of us, I am certain. Often these are the things I have limited knowledge of, that cause the "circuit breakers" in my brain to blow. In Paul's salutation to Titus, he mentions that the hope of eternal life was promised by God before the beginning of time. I don't know about you, but when I attempt to conceive of "before the beginning of time" another circuit breaker blows!

Here Paul tells us God predestined, that is, promised the hope of eternal life. He tells us the promise was made outside of the dimension of time. "Before the beginning of time" is a reference to an occasion that took place outside of time using a pointer or measure of time, "before". What is that?! If I say, "before time began", isn't that a reference to time? "Before" and "after" are words that only have meaning in a reality where time exists. Yet, in a timeless existence, God did something "before" time! I'm sure there are many who have a much better perspective on this than I do...

I can talk about it and think about it, but I'm pretty limited in understanding these things. What I do know is that God's existence is outside of the dimensions of time and space. I picture him as existing above or beyond the creation as we know it. Time has no constraint on God. Peter tells us, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2 Peter 3:8. Some knuckle-heads miss the point of this verse and attempt to use it as a key for the timing of prophetic events. What Peter is saying here is that time has no bearing on God - he resides outside its dimension.

Because God exists beyond the dimensions of time and space, he can look in on anything anytime (from our perspective). As the Creator, he "looks down" on his creation, any part of it, at any moment in its history. This is where we gain our understanding of God as "eternal". Another way to capture it is from what the writer of Hebrews has said, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe." Hebrews 1:1-2. Through the Son of God, God created the universe, the cosmos, and, so, time began.

As I think of God's existence outside or beyond the dimensions of time and space, as I think of God's amazing ability to know all there is to know, as I think of his tremendous power and the grandeur of his pristine character and nature, I am reminded of his transcendence. As we consume ourselves in focusing on how we ought to attend worship services more reliably, sin less, put more in the offering plate, be more devoted to our "denominational distinctives", and quibble over styles of worship, I can't help but think we are missing the big picture of God at times, his awesome nature and presence, his glory and majesty, his eternal divine qualities. Maybe if we focused more on our breath-taking God, all the other things in our lives, including our shortcomings, just may all fall into place.

Just a thought… What's your thought about God today?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.