In part 4 we said we want to think about God, God who revealed Himself.
God has revealed Himself in a number of ways.
He is revealed to all humanity in four main ways.
- He is the Creator of everything, and everyone is left without excuse.
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful….. Romans 1:20”.
- He is known in every man’s conscience.
“When Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing them witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them, Romans 2:14,15”.
These two revelations are what is described as general revelation. The following two are specific revelation, God’s written word and God’s living word.
- The Bible.
The Bible is not available to everyone yet, but is very widely available nonetheless, and is God’s written revelation of Himself. The Bible is God’s spoken word to humanity. We have the incredible privilege of reading our Bible and by the inspirational work of the Holy Spirit God will reveal Himself to us. We should make sure we are taking every opportunity to discover Him in this way!
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:16,17”.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105.
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your judgments. Psalm 119:97-102
- Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the complete and final revelation of God to humanity. We discover, and can come to God, the Father, through Him. Jesus Christ is God’s living Word to humanity.
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name that they. Hebrews 1:1-4”.