As faithful people we live a life of faith based on the Will of God as it is revealed through the lines of His Word. It started as a form of communication between God and Adam and Eve in the garden. (Genesis 2:16) After speaking through the patriarchs, God later went to the inspiration of prophets who He called and informed as to His Will and Way. (Numbers 12:6, 22:18; Judges 11:12-22; 1 Kings 20:2, 22:27; 2 Kings 18:28; Jeremiah 1:9; Hebrews 1:1) In a very direct contact He presented Himself in the form of Jesus – the sinless holder of all authority and righteousness. (Matthew 28:18) Finally, we have the revelation of God through scripture which is divinely inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16) God’s chain of custody never left His control. Arguments over what mode or method of divine inspiration abound, but for the faithful Christian the Bible is the final and authoritative Word of God.
It was a graceful act for God to reveal himself to sinful man. God has not simply communicated with man through the Word of Fathers, Prophets or Apostles, but also through creation. (Romans 1:18-32) An interesting element to this dynamic is that God holds man accountable to God’s Wisdom, not a democratic, well intended mix of man’s wisdom with God culminating in some electoral conclusion. It is God’s Word. It is more than a mandate; it is His command which comes with eternal consequences. The reason that this is the formula is has the rigidity that it does is because man minus God’s wisdom is lost and dead. He will remain so until repentance or judgment where a more determined and eternal course will be laid. God revealed himself authoritatively through Jesus, but physically as well. Jesus was the physical figure of God walking among man. (John 14:7)
What a wonderful love God must have to labor so dramatically to speak to man. What love must He have to extend the righteous voice used to create something from nothing (Genesis 1) to result in aiding man in man’s personal and spiritual existence. What compassion must He have to give His life for us after having executed the spiritual mechanics involved in crossing over from spirit life to physical life in Jesus. (John 1:1) What dedication to us to use His power to raise Himself from the grave so that we could have newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
God appeals to man through His revelation in its various forms. If we miss God in this world it happens with great effort and comes at a great cost. I pray we will all be found listening for the Word of God and practicing His will on a day to day basis. Be courageous in this world and always do what is right, and always be what is right. Know this without question – He lives and is going to return in His own time. It may be soon, or it may be later, but He is coming. As is the point of revelation – always be ready! (1 Thessalonians 5:2) Godspeed on your journey.