Author : Wayne S. Walker
There is a great deal of information which we can gain from a study of the names and terms by which God has chosen to identify Himself. In our last article of this series, we defined and described the Greek word for God and some of its derivatives as they are used in the New Testament. Both in the Old Testament and, even more so, in the New Testament, the terms used to identify God tell us that He is not only a deity of great power but also a divinity of personality with whom we can share a close relationship. “By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us…” (1 John 4:13).
This God with whom we seek a personal relationship is the Creator. He created the universe, “the heavens…and all that is in them” (Exodus 20:11). While we are awed by the vastness of the universe, we must not forget that this same God also created the earth and all life on it. For this reason David wrote, “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell there in. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.” (Psalm 24:1-2). In addition, He created man — you and me (Genesis 1:26-27). While our bodies are produced by the laws of procreation, God is the Father of our spirits (Hebrews 12:9). And He is not only our Creator, but also our Sustainer. Paul said, “For in Him we live and move and have our being…” (Acts 17:28).
How can we establish a relationship with our Creator? First, He must reveal Himself to us. God does not reveal Himself by human wisdom. “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17). In fact, human wisdom has led mankind farther and farther away from God (Romans 1:22; 1 Corinthians 1:21). The power and divinity of God are partially revealed in the book of nature. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1; cf. Romans 1:20). But He reveals Himself fully by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Thus, we can truly know God only as we find Him revealed in the inspired word of His Son.
However, there is also a human side to this relationship with God. We must have faith in God. This faith is an absolute necessity. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). This is what this whole series is about — to help establish or strengthen our faith in God. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). We must also recognize that genuine faith is not merely a mental assent to the truthfulness of some fact, but an active and obedient trust. “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24).
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2). The God who created us and revealed Himself to us in the Bible wants us to believe in and obey Him. Do you know the one true God? Are you His spiritual child? Can you truly say, “Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great thou art!”
