Accepting God on HIS Terms

Paul, in Romans 1, discusses a mindset that is all too common among people. Even though God reveals Himself to all of us, too many people refuse to accept God as He is. Instead they change and mold God into who they want Him to be. They change “the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man” (vs. 23) and exchange “the truth of God for the lie, and [worship] and [serve] the creature rather than the Creator” (vs. 25). Even though the apostle is here speaking of the paganism and polytheism of the wicked Gentiles, he is really condemning all of us who morph God into who we want Him to be and refuse to accept God on HIS terms.

There are certain things that we can learn about God by examining “creation” (i.e. the natural world). The beauty that abounds in our world extols God’s love and His care for us. The violence of a thunderstorm reveals God’s power and might…even His wrath and judgment. But our perusal of the natural world can only take us so far in our journey to God. To know His will, He must reveal Himself to us. And He has! We have the BIBLE to tell us God’s will (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Both the natural world and the Bible tell us certain things about God. But in order for us to see God’s identity and know His will, we must work and study diligently to find Him. There is no audible voice or miraculous manifestation. We have to apply ourselves to seek God out. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be added to you.” James 4:8 echoes this principle: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” I like the way Paul put it in Acts 17:26-27 when preaching to the pagans of Athens: “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.” These three verses tell us that God is there, waiting for each of us to seek Him. If we seek Him, we’ll find Him. But to find Him—the real Him—we have to humble ourselves to seek the real Him…not a substitute “Him” or a convenient “Him.”

Dear reader, you may be satisfied with your version of God. But it’s the real GOD that will judge you. You may be satisfied with your religion, but only “God’s religion” will free you from sin and lead you to heaven. There is “one body…one Spirit….one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God…” (Eph. 4:4-6).

Don’t settle for mama and daddy’s religion. Don’t settle for the church that is closest to your home. Don’t be deceived into thinking that because you feel saved, that you are saved. Don’t assume anything. Start over. Seek God and accept Him on His terms. Apply HIS teachings and will to your life. It’ll be hard, and it’ll require every ounce of your being, but it’s definitely worth it. Call me at (859)274-5479 if you have any questions. I’d love to study the Bible with you.