Perfect & Mature

 

Greek terms for Anointing

 

God Teaches Our Ways

Following my previous writing [1], I learned that God does things to make us acknowledge Him and humble. 

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him. - Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NIV)

Then, this thought come to my mind: What can I do anyway if God decides anyway on what will happen. I can only trust Him. How do I know His plan and what to do? Then, God directs me to some bible verses:

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. - Psalm 25:9 (NIV)

Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. - Psalm 25:12 (NIV)

The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. - Psalm 25:14 (NLT)

God is not a mute God. He wants us to be humble and to fear Him. But, at the same time, He is ready to make us understand what we should understand to reach His vision in us.

In addition, God is Love (1 John 4:16), and there is no fear (of punishment or condemnation) in love (1 John 4:18). I believe, when God directs you to the ways that we should choose, He will do it in love.

1. http://ivannatimotius.blogspot.com/2021/12/fear-of-god.html

Can we see God?

Exodus 33:11 mentioned that Moses speaks face to face to God as a friend. However, in few more verses after that (Exodus 33:20), God said to Moses, "you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live." These two verses make me think that there are different meanings/level of seeing God.

Physically, seeing is connected to the ability of eyes to perceive the visible light spectrum. So, if we interpret those verses literally, it means either God appeared in between the visible light spectrum or the human light spectrum is broaden to perceive more. However, 'to see' can also mean 'to understand', 'to recognize', 'to identify', 'to foresee', 'to imagine', 'to notice', or 'to experience'. Therefore, trying to guess what exactly the meaning behind the word 'seeing God's face' in those verses is not very easy.

The old testament describes that the Lord appeared to, among others:

1. Abraham (Gen 12:7; 17:1; 18:1)
2. Isaac (Gen 26:2, 24)
3. Jacob (Gen 35:1, 9; 48:3)
4. Moses (Exo 3:16; 4:5)

Some stated that they see God, among others:

1. Hagar (Gen 16:13)
2. Jacob (Gen 32:30)
3. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu (Exo 24: 9-11)
4. Isaiah (Isa 6:1)

In the new testament, Jesus as a human is, of course, visible by many people. However, some of the disciples see the different appearance of Jesus when He was transfigured (Mat 17:1-8). Paul mentioned that no one has seen or can see God (1 Tim 6:16). The same direction is also mentioned by John (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12). On other hand, John also mentioned that he saw God in Revelation 1:17.

A blind person can not describe what he/she does not see. I am not very sure if I have enough experience of seeing God that I can explain that to someone. I also believe that God can appear in many different forms (fire, cloud, wind, gentle whisper, etc.). 

I believe it is OK to pray and to be hungry to see God. It will be always good to be able to understand Him more and to get closer to Him. Like Moses, God can personally notify us if our request is impossible and I believe His alternative (e.g. to see His back) will also be awesome.

I want to see You, God.

Approaching God: Holy & Love

After giving the ten commandments, God invited the people to approach Him. However, most of the people stayed at a distance.

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:18-21)

There are several untrustworthy opinions that I heard relating to approaching God:

1. 'We can never ask to meet face to face to God because that will makes us die.' This way of thinking often makes people never try to get closer to God.
2. 'Because Jesus made a way for us to approach God, regardless if we are sinning, we can still be close to God.' Most of the people that believe this, do not see holiness important and lose the fear of God in their life.

God is both holy (1 Peter 1:16) and love (1 John 4:8). The art of approaching God consists of both respecting His holiness and believing in His love. God loves us so much that He wants to have a close relationship with us, but it never means that He tolerates His holiness.

Of course, there are many other aspects relating to approaching God: trust, faith, hungry & thirsty, waiting for Him, seeking Him, humble, be a living sacrifice, etc. I wish that we can grow closer and closer to God because be with Him is the best place that we can be.