In earlier blogs, I have been discussing the question of God's existence and claiming that it is possible to know that God does exist and even to know God. I also asked such questions as:
If such a being exists, can we know? (Yes)
How can we know? (Logic demands it– Necessary Being Part 4-Necessary Being)
Has this God communicated to us in any way? (Yes- God's word the Bible Part 7 - God Speaks)
Did this Being leave any signs or hints that it exists, like a painter signing his art? (Yes – creation Part 5 - God Alone Part 6 - The observable attributes of God)
Has this Being interacted with us-- or anyone at all ---in any way? (Yes - His word, the gospel, the incarnation, prayer)
We may also ask questions such as, “If such a being exists, is it good? (Yes)
Is it benevolent towards lesser creatures or pay any attention at all? (Yes)
Does this God set things in motion and then move onto something else, leaving us to our own decisions? (No) Can we get its attention and perhaps win awards or favors? Or the opposite? That is, incur God's disfavor or wrath? (Yes)
I suggest that you read the series in order and that you should start here:
In the last blog, it was demonstrated that we all have incurred God's wrath and judgment. We ended asking these questions: Being under the perfectly righteous pending judgment of God, are we forever doomed, helpless to change our sentence? Will we continue to suffer with disease, disaster, division, death and damnation? Can we do something that will make up the wrongs? Can we plead our case? Is there an advocate that will speak on our behalf? Or is there a hope of pardon or leniency?
You can read that blog here:
What if God really exists? Part 9 Can we incur God's disfavor or wrath?
Let me assure you, there is good news. Very good news. In fact, the best news you will EVER hear. We may be not be able to save ourselves in any way, but God has a plan.
In the beginning, God created a good world, but Adam disobeyed which brought about a curse and death. But God did show grace. The more wicked we became, the more grace abounded. God killed an animal in Adam's place and clothed his nakedness. Moreover, he promised that one from the seed of the woman would come that would crush the head of the serpent. (Genesis 3:15)
However, God could not just look away from sin. In order for justice to be true, wickedness must be judged and punished. Throughout history, wickedness and sin have been kept in check, but we all know that there is still much suffering and evil in the world.
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-20
There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from God's judgment. But at the appointed time, God fulfilled His plan.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26 (ESV)
Jesus the Christ came to fulfill all that man could not and satisfy the law of God, suffer the punishment and judgment of God in our place. How could He do this? Jesus could do this because He was the Son of God—God Himself. (John 1:1-5; John 8:19, 59; John 14:6; Phil 2:6, I John 1-4, Rev 1:8, 17-18). Jesus was both fully man and fully God, the seed of the woman, the Second Adam (Romans 5). Jesus came as God incarnate, lived the perfect, sinless life that neither we nor Adam could live, fulfilling the law and suffering the judgment of God on the cross in our place. Adam's sin was imputed onto us all. Our sin was imputed onto Christ, but Christ's righteousness is imputed onto those who believe, His elect.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16 (ESV)
So though there is much suffering and pain in the world, God has provided a way. He also promises that one day, all suffering and death shall cease for those that repent and belong to Him. He will make all things new. (Rev 19-21).
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 20:14–15, 21:1–5(ESV)
Through Jesus Christ, we have hope. God desires to know us and for us to know Him. He desires to have a relationship with us, just as he walked with Adam in the garden (Gen 1-3), just as He walked with Moses (Exodus, Deut.) and the disciples (John 14-17). What is more awesome than that? Someday soon, He will return to judge the world and take His adopted children to be with Him.
God does exist. He is just, good, and desires to be with His children. He has communicated with us through His word and through His Son, Jesus. Seek to truly know Him. He never disappoints. He has forgiven my sins through Christ, and can do the same for you. I know Him and you can know Him, too.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 (ESV)
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