92. THE GOD WHO CREATED US IS A GREAT GOD

(The Abundant Life Series – Batch 1)

I’ve been thinking this morning for some reason, of the earth and how it’s a perfect circle, perfectly suspended in space. It looks sort of like a marble, if you ask me.

Then I wondered, what was the response of the first Astronauts who discovered, that as full as mankind is of himself and as much as he tends to think that everything revolves around man and his existence, that the earth was just one small circle in a much larger space, a space so large in fact, that if God had wanted, he could have created several other earths and suspended them in that very space.

Then I thought about how GREAT God is. “God is so great. God is so great”, I kept saying to myself. Yet, I could never even begin to fathom the full extent of his greatness, although by the picture of the earth and its positioning, he has given me a mere glimpse.

It baffles my mind sometimes to think that such a great God is mindful of mankind, which is so small and insignificant by comparison. No wonder David asked God in Psalm 8:4: “What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

If ever there was a testament of God’s great power, it is this.

I wondered: Were the Astronauts humbled to their knees when they discovered space and the glorious, unfathomable wonders that lay there and how small the earth that we consider to be so big and invincible was by comparison? Were they finally convinced that there is a great master mind, that has perfectly orchestrated and created everything and who possesses a wisdom that is so superior to ours, that it blows our mind just trying to begin to understand it? Were they humbled by what they discovered, so much so, that it caused them to worship the Creator?

Did their longing to know more about what was out there, also stir up a longing to know more about the one that created the earth, space, the other galaxies, themselves and so much more? Did they even take the time to give him some worship while up there?

I wonder how the great ‘know-it alls’ felt, when they discovered that the earth, which mankind foolishly behaves as if it is all there is, is merely one of a list of other planets in space and mind you, not even the largest one at that! The earth that we live in which looks so large and voluminous is in space, which God has created, nothing more than a drop of water in a bucket! And the greatest of man within earth is so much smaller, that he is like the size of bacteria that cannot be seen with the naked eye but has to be placed under a microscope.

Given that God created space and all the planets suspended in it and he is even bigger than space, imagine how big and how great HE is!

If all of this discovery (which, make no mistake, God allowed to give us a little more insight into his glory and magnificent power) did not birth a desire in these men, to know more, not of the creation but of the CREATOR, then it was but a waste of experience. They lost the whole point to the exploration and as the Word of God says, in the day of Judgment, if they die without accepting the truth of God through Jesus his Son and end up in hell, they will be without excuse.

Romans 1:19-25 states of mankind:

• “…that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

Wouldn’t it be wise to subject ourselves to the majestic great authority of our Creator today, than to wait until it is too late?

With all of man’s discovery and the endless money he has wasted trying to figure out if life exists outside of the earth and whether there are aliens, why does he not accept that there is a spiritual realm outside of just that to which he is exposed to on this earth, namely, God, his angels & the devil and his demons, the latter of which are wreaking havoc on society today?

Why does he not recognize that we are estranged from the one who created everything, both visible and invisible (God) and that we need to get back into relationship with him? Why does he never come to the realization that his soul is lost, that he is in darkness and in need of a Saviour?

Many people say, “Well if God exists, why doesn’t he make himself known? Why doesn’t he speak so I can hear?”

Have you never thought (if you think like this), that he used to speak audibly but because of a breakdown (due to mankind’s stubborn rebellion of his authority), that, in our sinful state, we now have ZERO relationship with him and ties have been severed?

Today, he is still speaking, although in a different form. In his mercy, he has not left us empty-handed. He has given us the Bible which gives us a historical account of what transpired before us, explains with accuracy what is happening now and foretells how it is all going to end.

If you don’t make time to read God’s book, then you cannot say that he does not speak today because he does. He also speaks through his Holy Spirit, by convicting those who do not know Jesus as Saviour, of their sins and of judgment to come, unless they change. Further, he speaks to those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells but he only comes to dwell in those that by faith, have believed in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, confessed that he is Lord with their mouths and have therefore asked him to come into their hearts, to change them and to rule over them.

In God’s book to the world (the Bible), it states that mankind has “…sought out many inventions…” and are “Ever learning…” yet “…never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:29; 2 Timothy 3:7)

How sad!

Thankfully, this great God went out of his way, given how far mankind has gone in rebellion away from him, to ensure that we in this present time, have a means by which we could learn of him. I am so grateful!

As a love letter to the world, he gave us a book which perfectly records history, explains the present and accurately prophesies about the future. In this book, we get an opportunity to learn about him, what he likes and what he hates and why he has created us. We also learn why our world is in the mess it is in today, why it seems that God no longer speaks (although he still does to his children and occasionally, to those who, like Paul in the Bible who was not saved and going down a contrary path, he decides to have some mercy on) and we also learn of God’s solution to the world’s problem, in the form of his only Son, Jesus Christ.

Paul, who was previously named Saul is someone recorded in the Bible who hated Christians, did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God and had risen from the dead and gone back to heaven. He therefore had many Christians killed as a result because he believed that they were doing God a disservice in believing in Jesus Christ. This was until he had an encounter with God the Son (Jesus), while on his way to do more destruction, on a road to Damascus.

He heard a voice speaking to him directly from heaven and he became blind. Many times when Jesus speaks, he puts it in the form of a question and he therefore asked him why he was persecuting HIM. He also told him that it was hard to kick against the pricks.

Paul’s sight was eventually restored but this encounter changed his life, forever. For, he knew that Jesus had been killed while on earth but here he was talking to him, from heaven! In that moment, Paul realized that Jesus Christ was the Son of the true and living God and Jesus Christ was Lord!

He therefore took on the role of the servant of Jesus Christ, his Creator, dedicating the rest of his life to telling others about his story, of the true and living God and how relationship with him could be restored through belief in Jesus Christ his Son. Jesus Christ, the Son of God is also God the Son. He came to earth years ago, took on the form of a human being, allowed himself to be captured by wicked men, died so that his perfect blood could be shed to make atonement for the sins of every human being in the world and then after three days, he rose up again from the dead, just as he said he would do because death is no match for God the Son, who is GREATER.

How Jesus lived while here on earth and how we ought to live is also recorded in this book the Bible and that he died a sacrificial and gruesome death. Now, Jesus has returned to heaven but has promised to come again to judge the world of sin. God therefore calls urgently upon all of the inhabitants of the earth to believe that Jesus Christ did not remain dead but that he came back to life again on the third day. For, all who believe this truth and put their faith in Jesus Christ, will be saved from the wrath to come.

The Bible lets us know that before Jesus went back to heaven, he remained on earth for at least forty days thereafter and appeared to many people on different occasions, so there are eye witnesses that he was resurrected.

Although you have not had the opportunity to speak to these people because they are now deceased, God asks you to still believe that it is true, in faith. In John 20:29, after Jesus had risen up from the dead and appeared to Thomas who had previously doubted that he was alive when told that he was by those who had seen him, Jesus said: “…blessed are they that have not seen, andyet have believed.”

It is because of the testimony of those who saw Jesus after he rose up from the grave, that has caused the Church (which is by definition, a group of people who genuinely believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and that he is alive even after being killed), to continue and grow, from the Bible days to date.

John 20:31 also states that the testimony that Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to persons before his ascension to heaven was written, so that future generations who read it, would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and in so doing,  obtain salvation for their soul from the wrath of God that is come at the end of this world and hell fire.

It states: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

What about you? Do you believe? Do you have eternal life which is only available through Jesus Christ, God’s Son or are you still in disbelief and therefore on your way to hell?

In God’s love book the Bible, it states in Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

To confess Jesus as Lord requires you, due to your being convinced of the greatness of his Lordship as your Creator and Redeemer, to let go of YOUR way of doing things and to surrender all of your life to him and HIS purpose. It requires you to no longer be in charge of you but to entrust it into the hands of the one who created you and who knows you better than you know you, putting yourself into alignment with the Word of God, the Bible.

It requires you to be willing to let God clean up your life, since you can’t do it for yourself and to sanctify you, through Jesus Christ his Son. This is absolutely necessary because in God’s love book to the world, the Bible, he lets us know that he is also a God to be feared, a God of wrath and a God that punishes sin (which means disobedience to his rules).

He also lets us know that one day, Jesus will be coming back to judge this world and that all those who are dead will be raised up again to face this judgment, along with those who are living.

Only those who have believed that Jesus rose from the dead, repented of their sins, confessed Jesus Christ as Lord over all, asked him to come and live in their hearts and have an existing relationship with him, will be saved from the eternal damnation that is to befall the souls all who have died outside of Christ, at the judgment.

If you spent all of your life running after things that did not matter and never gave it to Jesus Christ to take care of and control, as your Creator, what will be your excuse? The money, the career, the makeup, the house, the car, the boyfriend or the husband, will not be standing with you at the great judgment to come. It will be you by yourself, giving an account of the life that you have lived and whether you ever believed in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and confessed his Lordship with your mouth, thereby granting him access into your heart and to save you.

You will have no excuse because nature itself spoke (even screamed) that there is a great God and if there is a great God, then while you were here on earth, it was your responsibility to learn about him, to serve and obey him and to come to him through the ONLY way that he has provided (as is clearly stated in the Bible), which is through Jesus Christ his Son.

In John 14:6, Jesus while he was here on earth, stated: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There is therefore no other way to be reconciled with God the Father and to be granted access to heaven, while avoiding hell, than to come to the Lord Jesus Christ and to accept him as our Lord and Saviour.

When we believe on him and confess with our mouth that he is Lord, he washes us in the very blood that he shed for our sins, although years ago but which will forever remain potent and covers us with his perfect righteousness. This spiritual robe of righteousness (otherwise referred to as the garment of salvation), then exempts us from suffering the wrath of God. It therefore effectively passes us from condemnation (which we deserve), to life, in heaven with God.

In God’s love book to the world, the Bible, he lets us know that the only way we can escape the consequences of the final judgment is to be covered by the blood offering of Jesus Christ his Son. He also lets us know that we will have absolutely no excuse if we did not make it a priority to learn about the TRUE and LIVING God because every day and every night, nature was loud evidence to us of his existence.

We made everything else a priority: Food was a priority, work was a priority, our spouse/boyfriend/ex was a priority, our children were a priority, our career was a priority, our health was a priority, our bank account was a priority, how we looked was a priority, serving ourselves and indulging in life’s pleasures such as alcohol, drugs, sex, partying and revelry were our priorities, our houses were a priority, our cars were a priority, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other technological devices were a priority but never did we make a relationship with our maker, a priority.

How sad and how foolish and what an absolute waste!

(Written on 19th December, 2016, added to thereafter)