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| Volume 22 Number 6 August 2020 | Page 13 |
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| Volume 22 Number 6 August 2020 | Page 13 |
Cliff Holmes
I recently read a question in the local newspaper directed to a well-known preacher or evangelist. I am in no way casting stones at those who say they are evangelists, for many are indeed very wise men. As a teacher of God’s Word, I have observed that many preach a lot of truth but not all of it.
I have observed through the years that some men preach lessons that bring folks to the verge of true faith, and then they tell them to accept Jesus as Savior, after which, to join the church of their choice. This does not get the job done and leaves men still wandering in search of the one, the true, the holy God.
Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). He did not say dozens of religions or 5,000 or more denominations from which we can choose. No one can join the church that Jesus built. When one completely yields to Christ and becomes His true disciple, the Lord Jesus then adds that person to His Church (Acts 2:47).
Those who ask, “How can I find, know and understand who God is?” are usually directed to Matthew 7:7-8. It reads, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Colossians 1:15 speaks of “He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Christ is the visible image of the invisible image of God.
Those seeking to know, see and understand God should be directed to Hebrews 11:6, which says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Finally, I would suggest that all who seek to find God direct their question to the Son of God Himself. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).
If you endeavor to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, have sought Jesus Himself, studied His life, absorbed His teachings and followed Him as a true disciple, then and only then, Jesus will add you to His church. Thereby, you will know Christ and then truly know God as well.
It is my prayer that you have already or will soon yield in obedience to all that Jesus has taught us by His life, death and resurrection. May you then truly know both the Father and the Son.
Jesus Is
Terry Wheeler