What’s God like? I wonder how you would describe God to someone who had never heard of Him.
The people of Athens worshipped various gods. So, Paul was eager to tell them about the true God, who created all things, and “from one man He made every nation of men.” (verse 26.) God has put within people a curiosity “so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us.” (verse 27.) God made man in the likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26.) “We are God’s offspring.” (verses 28-29.) Let find out something of what’s God like, and list just a few of the ways we have a likeness to God:
GOD is the Creator; & man has been given great creative abilities.
GOD is Eternal; & God gave man an eternal soul. Will you go to Heaven or Hell?
GOD of Providence; & He entrusted and equipped man to care for the earth.
GOD is all-wise; & He had blessed man with much wisdom and knowledge.
GOD is all-powerful; & He has permitted man to have and develop great powers.
GOD is a Trinity (3in1.); & man is made a triune being – Body/ Soul/ Spirit (1stThessalonians 5:23-24.)
But people rebelled against their Maker, and His Word. Man misused his creative abilities and skills, and “by man’s design and skill” produced dumb and lifeless images, from gold or silver of stone, for their worship! (verse 29.) What an insult to the all-powerful, living and true God of Love! (Isaiah 44:8-20.)
How foolish to exchange “the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man”! (Romans 1:21-23. Deuteronomy 4:15-16.)
Paul told them that “in the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.” (verse 30.) It is obvious that God has not punished mankind as our sins deserve, or we would all have been wiped out long ago! (Psalm 130:3-4. 103:8-12.) But Holy God still must punish sinful rebellion! “He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the MAN He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead!” (verses 30-31.)
So, JESUS CHRIST is to be the final JUDGE! (John 12:48.) The One who has shown such love for sinners; the Son of God who became man in order to take our punishment for sin upon Himself! (Romans 5:6-8. Hebrews 2:10-18.) He will have to condemn to eternal Hell all who, in this life, refused to trust and obey HIM as their Priest and Leader. (Acts 5:29-32. John 12:44-50. Matthew 25:41.)
Some in Athens made fun of Paul, and his message about the One who was resurrected from death to become our Judge. (verse 32.) But others followed Paul and “believed". (verse 34.)
Will you sneer? or will you believe in Christ for eternal Life? (John 3:16-19, 36.)
Read Acts chapter 17, verses 27-34.
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