I’ve never seen the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, or the Andes Mountains in South America, but I’m sure they exist. I’m convinced that Encyclopedia Britannica isn’t party to a great conspiracy. The encyclopedic citations concerning these places are not fraudulent. These really exist. I believe it.
Likewise, I’ve never seen God, but I’m convinced that He’s real.
The Bible doesn’t start with a series of scientific arguments proving God’s existence. Rather, the Bible simply says, “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1). The Bible takes this fact for granted. A masterpiece demands an artist just as creation demands a Creator. God is!
God is … but God is invisible.
John’s Gospel says clearly. “No one has ever seen God!” (John 1:18). In his first epistle, John says it again. “No one has ever seen God” (1 John 4:12).
Speaking from Heaven, God declared to Moses, “You cannot see my face, for humans cannot see me and live” (Exodus 33:20).
The Apostle Paul composed the following passage concerning the centrality of Christ. Note how he begins. “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything” (Colossians 1:15–18). Jesus is the perfect reflection of His Father. Looking at Jesus, we get a glimpse of the Invisible God.
“The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us… The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him” (John 1:14, 18). Jesus left Heaven, became human, and lived on earth to reveal the Father to us.
Writing to the young pastor, the Apostle Paul states prayerfully, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17). The letter’s benediction reads, “He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15–16).
Peter concurs. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8–9).
He’s invisible. But…
You ask me how I know he lives… He lives within my heart!
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