Tim Morrow

In a “kid’s sermon” at our church recently, I asked the children a question: “What is a promise?”

Now, some reading this may think that is an easy answer. While it might seem true, giving a snap answer off the top of your head is not as easy as you think. So when the kids had to think a minute to give me a definition, it didn’t surprise me. On the other hand, though they took a moment to describe a “promise,” most knew what I meant when I said, “promise.” The answers eventually were something like, “saying you will do something for someone.” I was glad that one little girl added, “… and doing it!”  

I appreciate the addition of follow through. Just because the definition didn’t come quickly, did not mean the kids were ignorant of its meaning. A kid doesn’t have to carry around a Webster’s Dictionary to understand the definition of promise before they use the word in a sentence; they know. 

I believe every person (including Christians and nonChristians) know things also, even if they deny them or can’t fully describe them. Specifically I’m speaking of God’s existence. One thing people might not realize is that the Bible is not a book attempting to prove the existence of God. It begins with an emphatic statement, like in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.”

There are a few verses that declare that God’s existence is known through his creation. 

“For his (God’s) invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made,” Romans 1:20 reads and Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” 

If you were to ask people if they believe in God’s existence, a majority

If you asked them to describe him or who he is, that would bring on various answers. The same Bible that declares that God exists, also reveals knowledge of who he is. The God of the universe is not a God of our own making. He is a God who has revealed himself fully, specifically through Jesus Christ his son. 

Paul says that Jesus, “is the image of the invisible God” in Colossians 1:15. Jesus proclaims, “Whoever has seen me has seen [God] the Father.” You might not be able to describe God fully, but you can fully know him through Jesus Christ. This is not knowing about God, but knowing him personally.   

The issue becomes man’s separation from his/her creator because of sin. Sin separates you from God. And though you have knowledge that he exists, you cannot be in relationship with him unless God would come and rescue us, and bring us back to himself. Jesus made this possible by coming in human form and living a sinless life. He became a sacrifice for us by taking upon himself the punishment that our sin deserves, and dying on a cross. Then three days later he rose from the dead, proving he was who he said he was … God made flesh, and that God the Father was fully pleased in Jesus’ sacrifice. We come to know him personally by receiving him, repenting of our sins and believing he died for our sins and rose again. Then, we are put back in the right relationship with our creator. 

None of us can fully describe God, but through Christ, we can fully be in relationship with God our creator. For those who are not in Christ receive him today. For those who are in Christ rejoice that you know him and are fellowship with the creator of the universe … rescued, restored, redeemed!   

(Tim Morrow is the pastor of New Life Church in Powell.)