3 minute read
AN UNKNOWN GOD
Acts chapter 17, verses 16 to 34
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ATHENS, around A.D. 50, was the leading city of ancient Greece and centre of one of the greatest cultures the world has ever known. Yet, in this city, famous for learning and philosophy, stood an altar bearing the inscription, “To an Unknown God”.
Within every human being persists a desire to worship something. But without knowing what we are to worship, we may worship the wrong object, construct an object to worship or, like the Athenians, simply conclude that we worship someone, even though we don’t know who it is we worship.
One day Paul, a man sent by God to speak the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, came to Athens. He spoke to the Athenians to tell them that the true God is knowable.
What Paul spoke in Athens two thousand years ago is just as relevant to us today. Paul said that God is the one who made the world and everything in it. As the Creator, He is also the Lord, the owner of Heaven and earth. This true and living God does not live in a temple made with human hands. Nor is He a being that is according to our thoughts or imagination. Instead, as the giver of life and breath to all creatures, God is the source of life. He is also the Creator of every nation dwelling on the face of the earth. Thus He is the source of all humankind.
Moreover, Paul said that God has set a day when He will judge the entire world by the Man designated by Him, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is the second Person of the Godhead (God the Son) who became human (John’s Gospel, chapter 1, verse 14). Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. He then died on the cross to take away our sins. But He did not remain in death. He was raised from the dead, and one day He will return to this earth.
Paul went on to say that although God is so great and powerful “He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17, vs 27). God is the great omnipresent Spirit who is close to us. He is even here as you read this magazine, and if you seek Him you will find Him.
Finally Paul said that God, having overlooked the times of ignorance, commands all of us, whoever we are, to repent. To repent means to turn. We must turn from our own sinful way of not acknowledging the true God. As we turn to Him, we must put our trust in the One who died for us and who was raised from the dead, Jesus Christ, and simply call upon Him. God will forgive us of our sins and place His Holy Spirit within us. Then we will have a living relationship with the one true God.
God does not want to be the unknown God to you, and you can know Him right now by turning to Him and, from your heart, praying this simple prayer: “Lord Jesus. You are the real God, my Creator and my Redeemer! Thank you for making the way so that I could know you. Thank you for dying for my sins. I believe in You as the One who was raised from the dead. I receive you into my life now”.
Living Stream Ministry.
COVER PHOTO
Castle Point Lighthouse, located near the village of Castlepoint in the Wairarapa Region of the North Island is the North Island’s tallest lighthouse standing 52 metres above sea level and is one of only two left in New Zealand with a rotating beam. It is owned and operated by Maritime New Zealand.
The light was built in 1913 and was originally fueled by oil. It was officially lit for the first time on Sunday 12 January 1913, sending out a triple flash every 45 seconds that could be seen for 35 kilometres. In 1954 the oil lamp was replaced with an electric one powered by a local diesel generator. This was subsequently replaced by a connection to the mains grid in 1961. The nearby Castlepoint beach is popular with holiday makers and the lighthouse itself became a popular tourist attraction, acquiring the nickname “The Holiday Light”. The light was fully automated in 1988 and is now managed from a central control room in Wellington.
