Why Doesn't God Simply Show Himself?
by JWing
"Why doesn't God just show Himself to everyone?"
"How can I believe in a God I can't see?"
We've all heard these arguments before, usually from people who find the scientific arguments for God unacceptable to them. To them, God's refusal to show Himself physically is because He doesn't exist. So why doesn't God rise to this challenge of His existence? He did it in the Old Testament, by everything from instant diseases, plagues, blindness, fire from heaven, a booming voice, parting seas and rivers, and so much more. So why is God a no show?
"How can I believe in a God I can't see?"
We've all heard these arguments before, usually from people who find the scientific arguments for God unacceptable to them. To them, God's refusal to show Himself physically is because He doesn't exist. So why doesn't God rise to this challenge of His existence? He did it in the Old Testament, by everything from instant diseases, plagues, blindness, fire from heaven, a booming voice, parting seas and rivers, and so much more. So why is God a no show?
If we are not allowed to see God, how can we believe in Him?
Psalm 19:1 (KJV)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Romans 1:20 (KJV) 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: |
God can be seen in everything that exists. From the complexity of the galaxy to the order that governs nature and makes life possible, to the complexity of our DNA and our eyes and brain, it all screams at us that there is a creator. To deny this is illogical. And with a creator of us all, it means we have to answer to Him for what we do with the life He has given us.
Why doesn't God show us Himself, if he exists?
At a young age we teach our children that the sun is the source of warmth, light, and everything good. But how many of us remember to include the stern warning to not look directly, and without protection at the sun for more than a few moments. What is the reason for this? Because the brightness of the sun can burn out every single cell in your retina causing long term and permanent blindness. (a)
So there is a good reason why God doesn't do that. Instead of going blind from the brightness of God's holiness we'd instantly die. God even told Moses who asked to see Him: |
Exodus 33:20 (KJV)
20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. Hebrews 12:29 (KJV) 29 For our God is a consuming fire. |
What is preventing us from seeing God?
Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 1 Samuel 2:2 (KJV) There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 6:20 (KJV) And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? Revelation 4:8 (KJV) And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. |
To put it simply, God is so holy to the point that He is like on fire or extremely hot. Any firefighter can tell you that anything flameable, in close proximity to something extremely hot or already on fire, will immediately catch on fire itself. It is called spontaneous combustion. This is the primary reason why you see firefighters hosing down the area long after they put out the initial blaze. They are trying to cool down the "hot spots" before that causes another flare up from spontaneous combustion.
Likewise anything wicked, evil, or in rebellion to God is flameable and when brought into the mere presence of God gets instantly consumed and set ablaze by His glorious holiness. Only things that are holy or been purged by God will survive this kind of holy, all consuming fire. Many however think that God's standard of holiness somehow is similar to what man considers goodness and holiness. Unfortunately, what man considers holiness or goodness is not holy enough to survive God's perfect holiness because man doesn't count his own thoughts and intents and only looks at his outward actions only.
Likewise anything wicked, evil, or in rebellion to God is flameable and when brought into the mere presence of God gets instantly consumed and set ablaze by His glorious holiness. Only things that are holy or been purged by God will survive this kind of holy, all consuming fire. Many however think that God's standard of holiness somehow is similar to what man considers goodness and holiness. Unfortunately, what man considers holiness or goodness is not holy enough to survive God's perfect holiness because man doesn't count his own thoughts and intents and only looks at his outward actions only.
Is there any way to see God in this lifetime?
Fortunately for us, the God of the Bible, unlike thse of any other religion, actually cares enough to make a way, when there was no way. Instead of requiring us to do the impossible and get to a state of holiness that is unattainable for us, in order to see and talk to Him, He has come down to our level. Donning our weak human flesh, he came down in the form of the Messiah Jesus Christ.
Fortunately for us, the God of the Bible, unlike thse of any other religion, actually cares enough to make a way, when there was no way. Instead of requiring us to do the impossible and get to a state of holiness that is unattainable for us, in order to see and talk to Him, He has come down to our level. Donning our weak human flesh, he came down in the form of the Messiah Jesus Christ.
John 1:14 (KJV)
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; |
This is what makes Jesus so critical in Christianity. He was God in human form. Completely God and completely man at the same time. By living a perfect life, which none of us can since we are born with a sinful nature handed down to us from Adam, he became the perfect sacrifice for our sins. So that if we repent our sins and believe in Jesus, we are made holy enough to appear before God and not be destroyed.
Is there one day all of us will need to appear before God?
Is there one day all of us will need to appear before God?
The unfortunate answer to this is yes. Like with any creation of our own, there is always a day of judgment. It is usually to determine whether that item or items have lived up to the purpose we created for it. If it has lived up to its purpose we usually would shine it up and give it a little extra attention by bringing it into our house or storage areas. But if it hasn't or is broken and is deemed unworthy of fixing we usually toss it into the trash bin or leave it at the dump with all other discarded stuff.
So to it is in God's economy. There is going to be a day of reckoning where God determines whether we fufilled our purpose and are worthy of keeping with Him or not. If not, we are tossed out. We only have one place left to go afterward, Hell. The only question on that day is 'Have you accepted Jesus to forgive you of your sins or have chosen to try to make it on your own merits?' |
The Bible makes it clear that based on our own merits and efforts we are never going to good enough because our thoughts alone are enough to damn us. However, Jesus work has already been accepted, as holy enough. The good news for us all is that by accepting Jesus free gift of salvation, His perfection is given to us without us working for it. Won't you accept Jesus today. There is nothing else you need to do but repent of your sins and accept Jesus and you can be guaranteed that you can see God with your very own eyes, maybe not in this life but definitely the next. Just pray this prayer:
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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