*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*GOD (2)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Acts 17:23 (NLT) *"......for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.*
*Insight and Highlight*
Ps 14:1 *The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.* *They are corrupt, they have done abominable works,....."*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
God said those who reject His existence are corrupt (ref Rom 1:23), and they have done abominable things. They will be worthy of death because of their abomination (ref (Rom 1:32)
Today, we will look further at reasons that could help atheists to desist from rejecting the existence of God.
We will mention four today.
First, Paul warns us that it is more than meets the eye why people will reject God. He tells us there are forces beyond humans that control their minds. He tells us that the devil blinds people from seeing the truth about God.
We must be careful not to underestimate what Satan can do.
People who reject the existence of God can not see with their minds. Paul says in 2 Cor 4:4 *In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.*
When the minds of people are blinded, they can not see spiritual things, 1 Cor 2: 14-16. Paul admonishes we should have the mind of Christ.
People whose minds are blinded by Satan have lost their minds! (ref Isaiah 44:25).
They are seeing and walking yet blind.
It is good for us to know how the devil works on people.
Second, in addition to blinding people, the devil makes atheist of them.
There were atheist in bible days. People who believe there is no God are better referred to as a rejection of any belief of God's existence rather than a belief system. They can not be a belief system because they do not believe in any existence and they reject any form of belief. Pharaoh said, *"....l know not the LORD,....'*, Exd 5:2
Third, he made idolaters of some.
Some idolaters know the existence of God, but they do not believe in Him. Some believe they can have access to God through the medium, diviners, and sorcerers they bow to.
Idolaters should ask themselves why they should be bowing to graven images they carved out themselves.
They save their gods when there is fire or any form of natural disasters, and they carry their gods about, especially when they move houses or locations. The psalmist says idolaters are just like the idols they make, Psalm 115:8; 135:18.
Fourth, he made some to proclaim God as unknown.
This is the category of the agnostics.
They are those who do not believe it is ever possible for anybody to know whether God exists. In other words, it is unimaginable that someone would think there is God. It is possible for people to be in this state of mind.
Paul said that while he was walking among the Athens, he saw many shrines. The people were worshipping, but they did not know whom they were worshipping. They called Him an unknown God.
Egypt's Pharaoh fell into the category of those who reject the existence of God (atheist), the category of idol worshippers (idolaters) and those who could never imagine anyone would think God exists, (agnostics).
There are also categories of people who chant incantations and tell themselves their mind is their God.
There is no way with any of these categories of people.
Those who believe in God's powerful existence are carried by God.
God says Isaiah 46:4 *And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.*
In whom do you believe in?
I believe in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, eternal, the Most High.
*Remorse corner*
Paul says, *"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;* Act 17:24
*Call to Word action.*
Acts 17: 25 *Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
We must reveal the 'unknown God' as the known God.
Acts 17:23 *".... To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.*
*Prayer.*
Lord help me to make You known to all who do not know You, in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
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