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)
Has this God communicated to us in any way? (Yes- God's word the Bible)
Did this Being leave any signs or hints that it exists, like a painter signing his art? (Yes - creation)
Has this Being interacted with us-- or anyone at all ---in any way?
We may also ask questions such as, “If such a being exists, is it good?
Is it benevolent towards lesser creatures or pay any attention at all?
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?
I suggest that you read the series in order and that you should start here:
Through logic and careful observation of the existing universe, we can know that God is necessary, self-existent, eternal, a god of order, a god of law, a god with intelligence, a god of logic, a god of life, a god of beauty, a god of morality, a god of justice who is omniscient and omnipotent. We have also come to the conclusion that God has communicated with us through His Word, the Bible, the only true word of God. You can read about that here:
So, what does God want to tell us in His Word? Though I am not a theologian or an expert in God's Word, I have been studying the Bible for most of my life1. We will look at some general purposes of God's Word today, but also answer some of the original questions asked above over the next blogs.
Communication. One of the main purposes of the Bible is to interact with us His creatures and communicate with us. This also implies a desire to have a relationship with us. In Genesis chapters 1-3, God walked with Adam, the first human. However, we see that the relationship was damaged and Adam was removed from that meeting place. Due to that Fall and the Holy Character of God, God and Man can no longer meet in the same way. Sin in our lives hides God from us. So God established the written word so that we may know his will and who He Is.
2 Corinthians 4:3–5
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (ESV)
Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (ESV)
The Gospel and Jesus, the Son of God. The gospel (The Good News) is the main focus of all of Scripture. From the first chapter to the last of the Bible tells us of Christ and His purpose of our redemption. The Trinity, including God the Father and God the Son, created a perfect world and placed man in it to serve God and enjoy Him forever. However, when Adam failed, God promised a future redemption and established a way to prepare for that future hope. For millennium, God spoke through prophets who wrote down His Word to prepare for the coming Redeemer. We had no way to repair the damage done, but God himself made a way by sending His Son, Jesus the Messiah, to do the work of redemption, restoring the relationship with God for Man to those who believe and are His adopted children. Someday, Christ will return to bring judgment and to make all things new. Jesus is seen throughout Scripture, from beginning to end.
John 3:16–18
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. (ESV)
Revelation 21:6–7
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (ESV)
The Scriptures give guidance on how to live. Most people have heard of the Ten Commandments, though few could repeat all ten. Through the Bible, He communicates to us what pleases Him and what is right and good and what is evil. Being fallen creatures of sin with corrupt natures and being totally depraved, we do not naturally know what is good, right or true. We are not “basically” good. Modern society clearly shows how lost we can be about knowing right and wrong and not recognizing truth on our own. Scriptures are a guide to living right. Moreover, The Bible is full of warnings of judgment if we do not obey God's law.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)
Colossians 1:9–11
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; (ESV)
Matthew 12:36–37
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (ESV)
The Bible tells us who God really is. As we have demonstrated with the last few posts, we can know a few things about God for the created world. This is known as natural theology. God has revealed some of His attributes through the created world. However, many things about who God is can only be known by Scripture such as the Trinity, His law, His grace, His mercy, His holiness. This is known as revealed theology.
Exodus 34:5–7
The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.(ESV)
John 14:9–11
Jesus said ...“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. (ESV)
To record His Covenants. Throughout the ages, God has made various covenants and promises. A covenant is a contract or agreement between God and men. God made a covenant with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Israelites and David. Those covenants are recorded so we can know that God keeps His promises most of which were fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 12:2–3
“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (ESV)
Exodus 34:10
And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you. (ESV)
2 Samuel 7:12–14
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
So through God's word, we can know God, we can know His will, know His promises and be aware of His warnings.
1You can read my Personal testimony on my blog. Also, you can read My testimony after 25 years as a true believer.
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