John 10:30 KJV
30 I and my Father are one.
John 14:9 KJV
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
In this lesson, we want to consider the ways that God has revealed Himself to us.
To begin with, we know from scripture that no one has ever seen God.
The apostle John tells us this fact clearly in his Gospel.
John 1:18 KJV
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
In other words, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God has declared God's character and nature to all of mankind.
John’s Gospel also tells us in the words of Jesus that God is a Spirit.
John 4:24 KJV
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
In God’s form as a Spirit, He cannot be seen, and He has never been seen according to scripture.
However, we also know that God, the creator of all things, is not limited in power in any way.
He can be where He wants to be and in any form that He might choose.
He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent which covers it all.
Remember the “burning bush.” God was there.
Another example is in the Old Testament where He appeared to Abraham in the form of a man. For the entire story please read Genesis, chapter 18.
Genesis 18:1 KJV
1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
We haven’t seen the burning bush, nor are we aware of any time where God appeared before us as another form, but we know that God can appear in any form He desires.
We also know that He has revealed Himself to us in various ways that we can see daily.
So, let us now look briefly at the ways in which God has definitely revealed Himself to us.
GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO US THROUGH HIS CREATION
Romans 1:19-20 NIV
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
If we look for God in the world around us, we will see Him.
Not a physical being, but we will see the evidence of his power and majesty.
God revealed himself to us in the beauty and wonders of nature and the environment that He has provided for sustaining life.
As we look into the night sky, we see His wonder.
As we study the laws of the universe with no beginning or end, we are in awe of His majesty and power.
God reveals himself in the wonder of birth.
It is indisputable that in the creation of the universe and life, God revealed Himself to us in such a manner that there is no excuse for not believing in Him.
“The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”
We can see Him in all things, feel Him in all things and know that He is in all things.
For, He created ALL things.
GOD REVEALED HIMSELF TO US THROUGH HIS WORD and IN OUR CONSCIENCE
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
God has revealed Himself through His Holy Word.
We see and KNOW God, by reading His inspired word that was given to guide our way.
From the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, God provides us with everything we need to know about Him.
He also provides in His word, answers for every problem we might encounter in this life.
God’s word gives us all knowledge and understanding of our creator, Jehovah God.
God’s word gives us all knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Further, we see that God revealed Himself and His existence in the hearts and consciences of His creation.
He has written His law in our hearts and our conscience bear's witness.
In addition to God's Holy Word, we humans have an innate knowledge of what is right and what is wrong and the battle between good and evil, even before we hear the gospel message.
Romans 2:14-15 KJV
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;
GOD REVEALED HIMSELF IN HIS SON—THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD
When the appointed time came, He revealed Himself in the form of man.
He was born in a manger, lived and walked among mankind and would finally give His life freely on the old rugged cross, as atonement for our sins.
Colossians 1:12-17 KJV
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
In the above verses from Colossians, Paul tells us a lot about Jesus.
First, Paul reiterates that we have redemption in and through His blood, even the forgiveness of our sins.
The new covenant gift of God’s grace and mercy toward His creation. It is a gift for ALL, but only those who receive the redemption through Christ’s blood will receive it.
Secondly, Paul says explicitly that Jesus is the IMAGE of the invisible God.
Thirdly, by Jesus ALL things were created, in heaven and on earth.
Fourth, He is before ALL things and by Him ALL things consist (or by Him all things hold together).
What Paul is telling us in these few verses is that Jesus our Lord and Savior, IS God incarnate, God in the flesh.
The invisible God is always visible before us, if we will only look for Him.
GOD REVEALS HIMSELF THROUGH US
Then, comes our part, as the “light of the world” that Jesus teaches us to be.
When we accept Christ into our lives and live as children of God, our words, deeds and actions will bring light to a world of darkness and actually make God visible to those around us.
Those around us in our small circle of the world will see spirituality. They will see decency. They will see kindness. They will see love. They will see holiness. They will see obedience, faith and trust in action.
They will see God.
The invisible God our Heavenly Father, makes Himself visible to our world in many ways, including our lives of obedience and service to Him.
Many may have never had God reveal Himself through His word; or thought about the way God reveals Himself in creation and nature; or know Christ, the visible God, as their Savior.
However, they may see God in our lives. As the saying goes, we may be the only Bible that many people read.
Therefore, it is important that we live our lives in obedience to God, making Him visible to our small circle of the world.
Make sure that those you come in contact with, see our Heavenly Father in you.
RVH