One argument atheists present against God is that we can't see God or sufficient evidence of God's presence.
For Christians, it can be a challenge for our faith that God is unseen. Why does He not make Himself readily apparent and present to us?
Ben Stein interviewed Richard Dawkins in the 2008 movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. Stein asked Dawkins what he would do if one day he met God face-to-face. Dawkins quoted Bertrand Russell: "Sir, why did you take such pains to hide yourself?" (IMDB)
God's Hiddenness Is Questioned In Scripture
Job 13:20-28 Why do You hide Your face, And regard me as Your enemy?
Job 11:7-9; 23:1-9,13-17; 24:1 God's hiddenness and inscrutable works.
Job 37:23 The Almighty — we cannot find Him.
Psalm 10:1,11-13; 13:1; 14:1-5; 43:1-2; 44:1-26; 74:1-23; 88:1; 89:46 Feeling forsaken by God.
Psalm 27:7-10; 102:1-2; 143:1-8 Plea to God to hear our petitions. "Do not hide Your face from me."
Psalm 94:1-7 Feeling like God does not see injustice and intervene with justice.
Psalm 42:1-11; 63:1-2; 73:25-26; 84:2; 143:5-6 As a deer pants for the water brooks…
Isaiah 40:27
Isaiah 45:15
1 John 4:12,20 No one has seen God at any time.
Miracles Are of Limited Value
Much as we would like to see miracles to affirm God's power and presence, they may not be as transformative to us as we would like.
Numbers 22 Balaam seemed to have some idea who God was, but didn't act in harmony with God's will and purpose.
Deuteronomy 4:32-40; 5:23-33; 8:14-20 Consider the history of Israel, all the miracles they saw, and yet their limited capacity to understand, love and obey God.
1 Kings 19:11-13 God showed some miraculous signs to Elijah, but God was present in the still, small voice.
Psalm 78
Psalm 95:7-11 quoted in Hebrews 3:7-19. Today, if you will hear His voice: "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, When your fathers tested Me…"
Jonah 1:1-3; 4:1-3 Jonah received miraculous instructions from God, but didn't like God's character of mercy towards Nineveh.
Haggai 2:1-9 The second temple was modest compared to the first. It lacked the Shekinah (glory/presence of God); sacred fire; Urim & Thummim; ark of the covenant. But even if less glorious or miraculous, its glory would be greater than the first temple.
Matthew 28:17 After His resurrection, Jesus's disciples worshipped Him, but some doubted.
Luke 13:22-35 Many people witnessed Jesus's miracles, yet it didn't lead to repentance and a transformation of their lives that ought to have resulted.
John 2:23-24 The people saw many signs and miracles from Jesus. But He knew that these wouldn't necessarily change people's hearts.
John 6:26-40 People wanted miracles and a free meal, but didn't want Jesus, the real bread from heaven.
Hebrews 3:12,16-19; 4:1-2,11-16 The ancient Israelites could not embrace God's salvation, due to unbelief and lack of faith.
James 2:19-20 The demons have no doubt about God's existence, but they are in rebellion to God.
Evidence May Already Be Sufficient
It may be that the evidence is amply sufficient for us to believe. But we need to have a heart to recognise it and accept it.
Psalm 19 The heavens declare God's glory.
Psalm 145 God's mighty works.
Psalm 148 The natural world, created by God, glorifies God.
Jeremiah 33:25 God's creation shows His character.
Matthew 12:38-42; 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-12; Luke 11:16,29-32; John 2:18; 4:48; 6:30 Jesus criticised the Jews of His day for asking for a sign. Apparently they had plenty enough signs, but weren't willing to see them for what they were.
Luke 1:1-4; John 15:27; 19:35; 20:30-31; 21:24-25 Jesus's disciples were witnesses of His words & deeds, recorded so that we may believe in Jesus.
John 6:30-31 They wanted to see Jesus miraculously produce bread. He told them, "I am the bread from heaven."
John 20:26-31 Jesus said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." This indicates to us that we should be able to believe in Jesus on the basis of the Biblical witnesses.
Romans 1:18-23 We ought to be able to discern God's power and authority from the world around us.
God Is Greater Than Us
We can't demand to meet God as an equal. We have to understand God's power, greatness, moral goodness.
Job 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39
Psalm 19:1-6
Psalm 111:2
Psalm 145:3 His greatness is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:26
Job complained about God's injustice, and that Job wasn't able to bring his complaint to God to be heard.
But God is above us, in His heavenly realms. It is God's prerogative to live above us and be beyond our apprehension and comprehension.
2 Chronicles 6:18-19
Job 38; 39; 40; 41
Psalm 8:3-5
Psalm 113:4-6
Psalm 115:3,16
Psalm 123:1-4
Psalm 144:3
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14; 8:17; 11:5
Isaiah 55:8-9
Daniel 12:8-9
Habakkuk 2:18-20
1 Peter 1:10-12
We Cannot See God While In Our Human State
Genesis 2:7; 3:19,23; Psalm 103:14; 1 Corinthians 15:47-49 God made us "from dust". We live in a lowly state.
Exodus 20:18-21; Deuteronomy 5:23-29; Hebrews 12:18-21 The Israelites heard God's voice, and begged Moses to mediate for them, because the experience was too intense for them.
Exodus 33:20,23 Moses saw God, but could not see His face. "Man shall not see Me and live."
John 1:18; 6:46
Acts 22:11
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The things we see are temporary. The unseen things are eternal.
1 Timothy 6:16 …who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see…
Caveat: Seeing God in Some Way
Genesis 14:18-20 Abram met Melchizedek.
Genesis 15 The Lord came to Abram in a vision.
Genesis 16:13 The Angel of the Lord came to Hagar. She was surprised to see God, in some way.
Genesis 17 The Lord appeared to Abram. Abram fell on his face.
Genesis 18 The Lord appeared to Abraham again. Abraham saw 3 men — the Lord and 2 angels.
Genesis 20:3-8 God appeared to Abimelech in a dream.
Genesis 32:22-32; Hosea 12:3-4 Jacob wrestled with God.
Genesis 35:9 God appeared to Jacob again.
Exodus 24:9-11 The elders of Israel saw God.
Exodus 33:11; Hebrews 11:27 God talked to Moses "face to face".
Exodus 33:17-23 Moses saw God's glory in some way, but didn't see God's face in glory.
Joshua 5:13-15; 6:1-5 Joshua was met by "the commander of the army of the Lord", the Lord, whom Joshua worshipped, who made the ground holy.
Judges 13:22-23 Samson's parents.
Walk By Faith Not Sight
John 20:29 Jesus said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed."
Romans 8:23-26 Hope, not sight.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The things we see are temporary. The unseen things are eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:7 We walk by faith, not by sight.
Colossians 3:1-4
Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the ability to trust in God without seeing Him directly.
Second Commandment: Don't Make Idols
Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 5:8-10
God commands us not to fashion and worship representations of God out of material things. Other religions make idols, but God is different: He commands us to worship Him though unseen, without attempting to contrive a material representation of Him. This is apparently for all the reasons given above.
Whenever we may try to make a representation of God, we diminish His glory. God is greater than anything we can conceive and materially represent. We must worship Him in spirit and truth, not with empty shells of wood, metal or stone.
Exodus 32:1-8 The Israelites made a gold calf image to try to represent God.
Leviticus 26:1
Deuteronomy 4:12,15-20
Isaiah 40:18-23; 41:1-7; 44:6-20; 45:16; 46:1-7
Acts 17:22-31 Paul's preaching to the idolatrous Athenians.
Romans 1:18-23
Beware of Unbelief and Hard-Heartedness
This Era is of God Deliberately Hiding Himself and Veiling the Truth
Deuteronomy 5:29; 29:4 Even for Israel, God had not given them a heart to perceive, eyes to see, ears to hear.
Job 11:7 We have limited capacity to discover and understand the deep things of God.
Psalm 77:19 The footprints of God's activities were hidden.
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 People think they can get away with doing wrong, because God's judgement isn't speedy.
Isaiah 6:9-11
Isaiah 8:17 God even hid Himself from Israel, His chosen nation.
Isaiah 29:9-14
Isaiah 45:15 Truly you are God, who hide yourself.
Isaiah 63:17
Amos 8:11-14 At times, God sends a spiritual famine on the land.
Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21 "Thank you, Father, that you have hidden these things from the wise…"
Matthew 13:10-17,34-35; Mark 4:11-12,33-34 …to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive…’
John 12:35-41 Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.
Romans 11:25 Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
God Hides Himself From Sceptics and Doubters
Psalm 10:4,11-13; 42:3,10; 73:11 Skeptics express their skepticism about God, while failing to seek God.
Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3 The fool says in his heart, "there is no God".
Psalm 79:10; 115:2 Skeptical Gentiles.
Joel 2:17
Micah 7:10
Malachi 2:17 Where is the God of justice?
Romans 1:28
Jesus Sometimes Hid His Ministry
Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45 Jesus healed a leper, and told him not to tell anyone. But he spread the word freely, so Jesus couldn't go into cities.
Matthew 9:27-31 Jesus healed two blind men. He told them not to spread the news, but they did.
Matthew 12:15-21 Jesus healed the crowds, but warned them to keep it quiet. A fulfilment of Isaiah 42:1-4.
Mark 3:12 Jesus commanded unclean spirits not to say who He was.
Mark 5:43 Jesus restored a girl to life, then told them to keep it quiet.
Mark 7:24-30 Jesus wanted to be hidden in Tyre, but was unsuccessful. A Greek woman begged him to heal her daughter.
Mark 7:31-37 Jesus healed a deaf mute, and commanded him not to spread the word. But people did.
Mark 8:11-12 Jesus refused to give a sign for the Pharisees.
Mark 8:22-26 Jesus healed a blind man.
Mark 8:27-30 Jesus told His disciples not to spread the word that He was the Christ.
Mark 9:1-10 Transfiguration. He told them not to tell anyone, until after He was resurrected.
Luke 4:16-21 He only read to half-way through verse 2; he didn't fulfil more notable things that will come at His return.
God Reveals Truth As and When and to Whom He Pleases
Genesis 37:31-35; 45:25-28 Jacob lived for many years not knowing a single important truth that would have changed his life: "Your son Joseph is alive". His sons kept this truth from him. God didn't change that.
Deuteronomy 30:6
Psalm 78:2
Daniel 2:28 God reveals secrets to whomever He pleases. Even to Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 4:9,18
Daniel 12:8-13 Even Daniel himself was not granted understanding of everything he was told.
Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21 "Thank you, Father, that you have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to babes."
Matthew 13:10-17 …to those who are outside, all things come in parables… but but blessed are your eyes for they see…
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
1 Corinthians 13:2,8-12 We only have partial knowledge. Life isn't about having correct knowledge about everything.
Revelation 10:1-7 John was told not to write the things the seven thunders uttered. The mystery shall be revealed at a later time.
God Has Revealed Things To Chosen People
Amos 3:7 God has revealed things to His prophets.
Matthew 11:25-26; Luke 10:21-24 The Father has hidden things from the wise, and revealed them to children.
Matthew 13:11-17; Mark 4:11-12; Luke 8:10 It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom. Parables are used to hide the truth from everyone else.
John 6:44 No one can come to Christ unless the Father draws them.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Not many wise, mighty, noble are called.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 The Holy Spirit enables understanding of the things of God, to those who are given it.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Those things happened to them [ancient Israelites] as examples for us to learn from.
1 Peter 1:10-12 The prophets prophesied of Jesus without really understanding their own message at the time.
Mysteries Revealed In Scripture
Deuteronomy 30:11 God's commandment is not too mysterious.
Matthew 13:11-17; Mark 4:11-12; Luke 8:10 It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom.
The Apostle Paul often spoke of mysteries that God revealed in Christ and in the early New Testament church.
Romans 11:25 The mystery of the calling of the Gentiles.
Romans 16:25 The mystery about Jesus the Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:7 The mystery of God that is to do with the identity of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:1 The apostles were stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 13:2 Understanding of mysteries, versus love.
1 Corinthians 14:2 Speaking in tongues — speaking mysteries.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 The mystery of the first resurrection.
Ephesians 1:9-10 Mystery of God's will: to gather all things in Christ.
Ephesians 3:1-12; Colossians 1:25-27 Mystery of salvation being available to Gentiles.
Ephesians 5:32 Mystery of Christ and the church.
Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3 Paul's duty to preach the mystery of the gospel of Christ, while enduring a trial of chains.
Colossians 2:2-3 …the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 The mystery of lawlessness.
1 Timothy 3:9 Deacons must hold the "mystery of faith" with a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:16 The mystery of godliness: Christ manifested in the flesh, and then received up to glory.
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars in Jesus's right hand.
Revelation 10:7 At the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God will be finished.
Revelation 17:5-7 The mystery of the woman riding the scarlet beast. On her forehead is written, "Mystery, Babylon…"
This Era is of Satan Ruling the World
John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 Jesus talked about the "ruler of this world" who is in opposition to God, and soon will be judged.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 The "god of this age" blinds people to the truth and the gospel.
Ephesians 2:1-3 The course of this world is led by the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 6:10-12 We must put on the armour of God, to resist the devil, and principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
We May Be Hiding From God and Disregarding Him
Genesis 3:8 Adam and Eve hid from God. Perhaps we hide from God more than we are willing to acknowledge.
Psalm 14:1; 53:1 The fool says in his heart, there is no God.
Proverbs 1:20-33 Humans disregard wisdom from God.
Isaiah 29:15-16
Isaiah 53:3
Our Sins Cause a Separation From God
Genesis 3:21-24 After Adam's and Eve's sin, they were no longer able to be in God's presence, and lost access to the tree of life. Adam and Eve's choice to eat from the other tree is representative of our desire to "go our own way" and make our own choices regarding good and evil, rather than trusting God. This requires a time in which we are free to make our own choices without intervention from God. We have to learn consequences of poor choices.
Deuteronomy 31:17-18; 32:19-38 God hid Himself from Israel due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry.
Proverbs 15:8-9,29 God is far from the wicked, but hears the prayers of the righteous.
Isaiah 1:15 and all of the chapter.
Isaiah 8:6,11-20 God hid Himself from Israel & Judah because they rejected Him. They would seek mediums and wizards instead of God.
Isaiah 50:1 God compares His people to a divorced wife.
Isaiah 57:15-17
Isaiah 58:1-14 God tells us to do righteousness. Fasting along with sinful living will result in God ignoring us.
Isaiah 59:1-15 Your iniquities have separated you from your God.
Jeremiah 5:25 Your sins have withheld good from you.
Ezekiel 8:6,12 Israel's abominations made God go far away from His sanctuary.
Ezekiel 39:21-24 The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity.
Hosea 5:6-7 They will seek the Lord, but will not find Him. They have dealt treacherously with the Lord.
Hosea 7:1 God wished to heal Israel, but their iniquity was revealed.
Micah 3:4 Because they have done such wicked deeds.
Zechariah 7:11-13 God doesn't hear the prayers of sinners.
Zechariah 8:16-17 Don't do "things the Lord hates".
John 9:31 "We know that God does not listen to sinners…"
Romans 1:18-32 God has given humanity up to wickedness.
3 John 1:11 He who does evil has not seen God.
God Sees How We Live While He Is Hidden
Job 7:20 Job saw God as a distant "watcher of humanity".
Job 42:1-6 Job thought he knew God, but came to see that he had an insufficient concept of God's greatness.
Isaiah 57:11 "Is it not because I have held My peace from of old That you do not fear Me?"
Psalm 10:3-6 A wicked person thinks he is getting away with it.
Ecclesiastes 8:11-12 People do evil and are not immediately judged for it. But God's judgement is surely coming in due course.
Zephaniah 1:12 People think God doesn't care if we do good or bad, and won't judge us for our deeds.
Matthew 24:45-51 Consider the servant who says "My master delays his coming" and does wickedly.
1 John 4:20-21 If we don't love our brother whom we see, how can we love God whom we don't see?
Patience
Matthew 10:22; 24:13,46; Mark 13:13 He who endures to the end will be saved.
Luke 8:15 Bear fruit of righteousness with patience.
James 1:2-4 The testing of your faith produces patience and other virtues.
James 5:7-11
Revelation 21:7
God Desires to Dwell Among His People Even In This Life
Even in the Old Testament, God desired to dwell among His people. He could not be seen; people must come to His tabernacle with great care and reverence; they were prohibited to come into the most holy place. Yet, God desired to dwell among them, and bless them.
Genesis 26:3 God said to Isaac, "I will be with you."
Exodus 25:8 God's presence in the tabernacle.
Exodus 33:12-17 After the golden calf incident, Moses begged God to still be with the Israelites.
Exodus 40:34-38 Once the tabernacle was constructed, God was present among Israel via the tabernacle.
Leviticus 26:11-12 God desired to dwell among His people who would live obediently.
Deuteronomy 4:7 God was near even to Israel.
John 14:19-24 The Father and Son living in us.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 The indwelling of the holy spirit in the New Covenant era.
Colossians 1:27 Christ in you, the hope of glory.
God Wants Us to Seek Him
Deuteronomy 4:29 We can find God if we seek Him with our whole heart and soul.
1 Chronicles 28:9 Message to Solomon: If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
2 Chronicles 7:12-18 Message to Solomon: God wanted to bless those who humbly repent, obey, seek Him.
2 Chronicles 12:14 Rehoboam did evil, because he didn't prepare his heart to seek God.
2 Chronicles 15:1-9 Message to Asa: God is findable by those who seek Him. If we forsake God, He will forsake us.
2 Chronicles 30:6-9 Hezekiah to Israel: if you return to God, He will return to you.
Psalms 9:10
Psalm 27:8
Psalm 119:2,10,34,45,58,69,94,145,155 Seek God and obedience to His law, with our whole heart.
Psalm 145:18-20 God isn't too far away, for those who call to Him in truth.
Proverbs 2:1-9; 8:17 Seek and find wisdom.
Proverbs 28:5 Seek God to understand justice.
Isaiah 55:1-7 Come to God to receive the true riches. Hear God's word to us. Seek God while He may be found.
Jeremiah 29:12-13 Search for God with our whole heart. God says we will find Him.
Hosea 6:6 God desires that we have the knowledge of God, more than ritual worship.
Hosea 7:7,10,14-16 Seek God with our heart.
Amos 5:4-7 Seek the Lord, and live.
Amos 5:14-15 Seek good, not evil; love good and establish justice.
Micah 6:8 Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek God with meekness. Seek justice, righteousness, humility.
Zephaniah 3:2 God rebuked Jerusalem for not drawing near to God.
Matthew 5:6 Hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13 Ask, seek, knock.
Mark 4:24-25 The measure you use will be the measure you receive.
Acts 17:22-31 God hopes that we might grope for Him and find Him — He is not too far from us.
Hebrews 11:6 Approach God with faith.
James 1:5 Ask God for wisdom.
James 4:6-10 Humbly come to God. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Call on the Name of the Lord
Genesis 4:26 After the birth of Seth's son Enosh, people began to call on the name of the Lord.
Acts 2:21 quoting Joel 2:32. Those who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts 9:14 Calling on the name of Jesus.
Romans 10:13 also quoting Joel 2:32.
1 Corinthians 1:2 Those who call on the name of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:22 Those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.
Walk With God
Genesis 3:8-13,21-24 Adam and Eve could literally walk with God in Eden, until they were evicted from the garden due to their sin.
Genesis 5:21-24 Enoch.
Genesis 6:9 Noah.
Genesis 17:1 God exhorted Abram to walk with Him in righteousness.
Psalm 16:7-8 quoted by Acts 2:25.
Malachi 2:6 Levi.
Luke 1:6 John's parents Zacharias and Elizabeth walked in God's commandments.
Come to God On His Terms
We might want God to come to us according to our desires and expectations. But, are we willing and able to come to God on His terms?
Genesis 2:9,16-17; 3:1-24 Adam and Eve didn't come to God on His terms. Thus started God's hiddenness from humanity.
Genesis 4:1-15 Cain apparently didn't come to God on His terms, and ended up murdering his own brother. He was banished from other humans and from God Himself.
2 Samuel 6:1-19; 1 Chronicles 13:1-8 David and the Levites weren't careful to treat the ark according to the prescribed rules. Disaster resulted.
1 Kings 12:26-33 Jeroboam instituted false idols and alternative holy days. Israel thus failed to worship God according to His ordained principles — futile worship.
2 Kings 5:11 Naaman was angry that Elisha didn't heal him according to his expectations. But, eventually he came around to receiving God's healing by God's way.
Matthew 15:7-9 It is futility to attempt to worship God by manmade customs.
Romans 9:30-33; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:1-5 Many aren't willing to be saved by God through Christ — but that is the way.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 We need to be reconciled to God. God determines the process for this.
Seek God With Humility
Psalm 51:17
Isaiah 57:15
Isaiah 66:2
Micah 6:8
James 4:10
Learn to Trust God's Character and Promises
Luke 11:5-8 Parable of friend at midnight.
Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the persistent widow.
Know God by Discerning His Character
The Bible tells of God's desire for us, for obedience, salvation and freedom from sin, mercy, reconciliation, peace, fellowship.
Exodus 34:5-8 God's appearance to Moses, and proclamation of His character.
Nehemiah 9:17-33
Isaiah 65:12 If God calls, will we recognise His voice?
Jeremiah 9:23-24
John 3:16-17
John 10:4,14,16,26-27; 18:37 "My sheep hear my voice" implies that we come to know God's character well enough that we can discern if a voice is "of God" or antithetical to His character.
1 Peter 1:8,13-19
1 John 4:6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us… By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 3:16; 4:7-11,16-19 God is love.
Know God Through Creation
Psalm 8:1-9
Psalm 75:1
Psalm 111:2
Psalm 113:4
Psalm 139:13-18
Psalm 148
Jeremiah 33:25
Romans 1:18-25
Hebrews 11:3
Know God Through His Holy Word
Isaiah 8:20
John 17:17
Acts 24:14
Romans 10:14-15 God's word, preached and explained by faithful preachers.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Hebrews 4:12
Know God Through Jesus Christ
Matthew 11:25-30 "Come to Me, all you who are heavy laden…"
Luke 1:1-4; John 20:27-31 The gospels were written and spread so that people may know and believe in Jesus.
John 1:4-18; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5 Jesus is the light who shines in the darkness.
John 3:16 The love of God embodied in the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.
John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice".
John 14:7-11 If we've seen Christ, we've seen the Father.
John 15:1-8 Christ is the vine, we are the branches.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 Jesus Christ is the foundation.
2 Corinthians 4:4-6
Colossians 1:15
Hebrews 1:1-4
1 John 5:1,5-13,20
Know God Through His Spirit
Jeremiah 31:33-34 The Holy Spirit in the New Covenant enables people to know God.
Luke 11:9-13 Ask, seek, knock for God's Holy Spirit.
John 1:13; 3:3-8 We must be reborn of the Spirit.
John 14:15-31 In v.22, Judas asks "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" In v.15,21,23-24 Jesus says we love God and know God by keeping His commandments. Father and Son make their home with such a person. Father and Son interact with those born of the Spirit, through the Spirit.
John 16:7-15
Romans 8:1-17 If we live by the Spirit rather than by the flesh, we become children of God.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Ephesians 2:22
1 John 3:24; 4:13; 5:6
Holy Spirit Could Come After Christ Left
John 16:7-15 Jesus Christ returning to heaven may seem like a step backwards. But Jesus Christ said it is better for us. John 14:12
Hebrews 7; 8; 9 Christ is mediator of the new & better covenant, which opens the way to the holy place.
Know God Through His Moral Law
Live a life of obedience and submission to God. See His moral goodness.
Deuteronomy 30:15-16 Love God by keeping His commandments.
Joshua 1:8
Psalm 19:8-11
Psalm 119
Matthew 5:6
Matthew 22:34-40 Greatest commandments: love God and neighbour.
John 14:15,21,23-24 We love God and know God by keeping His commandments. Father and Son make their home with such a person.
John 15:9-17
Romans 7:7-12
Romans 13:8-14
1 John 2:3-6,29; 3:22-24; 5:1-3
Know God Through Committing Our Life to God
Don't just know God in theory, but in virtue proven by life lived in God's guidance.
Exodus 20:6
Deuteronomy 7:9
Psalm 15
Psalm 103:17-18
Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of wise & foolish virgins. The Lord said to the foolish virgins, "I do not know you."
John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:14-19,23; 4:7-12,17,20-21; Romans 13:8 God is love. Live a life reflecting God's character of love.
Living By Faith
Seek God in faith, and live a life of faith.
Romans 4:13
Romans 10:17
2 Corinthians 4:18 We aspire to reach the eternal things, though they are are presently unseen.
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 We live in a temporary physical "tent" and hope for an eternal house. Note v7 We walk by faith, not sight.
Hebrews 11:1-2,6 Faith is conviction in the things that are unseen for now.
Hebrews 11:27 By faith Moses was able to see Him who is invisible.
1 Peter 1:3-12 Hope in the unseen realm that is reserved for us. Hope in Jesus, "whom having not seen you love; though now you do not see Him, yet believing…"
God's Judgement Is Surely Coming
Psalm 50:21-23
Psalm 73 Meditation on the short-term prosperity but ultimate fate of the wicked.
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 People do evil and are not immediately judged for it. But God's judgement is surely coming in due course.
In Future God and Truth Will Be Clearly Known
Isaiah 25:6-9
Isaiah 29:17-19
Jeremiah 31:34 The fullness of the New Covenant.
Ezekiel 39:25-29
Ezekiel 43:7
Micah 4:1-5 Many nations shall make pilgrimage to the mountain of the Lord.
Zechariah 8:20-23
Philippians 2:9-11
Revelation 1:7
We Will See God When Sin is Removed
Psalm 118:15,19-21
Jeremiah 31:33-34
Ezekiel 36:26-38
Matthew 5:8 The pure in heart will see God.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1
Hebrews 12:14
1 Peter 1:13-21
1 John 3:1-3 All who hope to see God, purify themselves.
Revelation 21:1-8
Revelation 22:1-5,14
We Will See God When We Are Made Spiritual
Psalm 17:15
1 Corinthians 13:8-12
1 Corinthians 15:42-49 First the physical. Then the spiritual.
1 John 3:2 We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Add new comment