When you hear about someone you have never met, you might try to picture them in your mind. Later on, if you meet them, you likely find you had a wrong concept of them! The people of Athens made this mistake – a very serious mistake! They had their own ideas about GOD!
Paul was brought before Athens’ city council to explain the “new teaching” they wanted to know about. (Acts 17:19-21.)
Paul said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around … I found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” Paul wanted to make the “unknown god” known to them! (verses 22-23.) He told them that the true God was the CREATOR of everything in Heaven and earth, and He created the first man, (Adam). (verses 24 & 26.) God is the Great Designer, and Maker, and Sustainer.
Our world, and mankind, are the creation of the One True God. (Genesis 2:4-25. Hebrews 1:1-3. Mark 10:6-9.) Anyone who thinks our world and mankind came about as the result of an “big bang” or “by chance”, is insulting the power and love of the Great Creator God. Such people are acknowledging an unknown god, and denying and ignoring the one true God. (John 1:10-14. Romans 1:18-25.)
Paul told them that the God of Heaven “does NOT live in temples built by hands,” and does not need anything that we can supply. (verses 24-25.)
Many today still think they can put their god into their churches, or tabernacles, or shrines, and can visit Him there! (Acts 7:46-51.) Some think they can earn God’s favour by bringing offerings, gifts, penances and good works to Him – the One who created and sustains all things! (Colossians 1:15-20.) The Great God, who does not dwell in man-made temples, and does not need anything we could give Him, remains an unknown God to them!
The True God CAN be, and WANTS to be, known by sinful mankind. (verse 27. John 17:1-5. Isaiah 55:6-11.) The Great Creator became our Saviour! The same Jesus Christ who made us, was found willing to die for us, in order to save us from the mess we got into because of our sins. (Revelation 4:10-11. 5:9-10.)
NOTHING we could do or offer to God could ever satisfy Him. He wants you to trust His love, and accept what He has done for us as being sufficient for our forgiveness. (Ephesians 2:8-10. Titus 3:4-8.) God not only wants to forgive our sins through our faith in Jesus, but He wants to COME TO DWELL IN OUR LIVES by His Spirit. (1stCorinthians 3:16. 6:19-20.) “For in Him we live and move and have our being. We are His offspring.” (verse 28. John 1:12-13. Galatians 2:20.)
Don’t settle for an unknown god. Love, trust, obey and worship the Great Creator God, who is our only Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-14.)
Read Acts chapter 17, verses 22-28.
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