Who is Your God?-2/3/2012

“Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you." Acts 17:22-23

The apostle Paul found himself in Athens, Greece, the one time center of the civilized world and the home of things such as democracy, the world's prevalent language and perhaps most importantly, philosophy (which literally means "love of wisdom"). It was a popular thing for intellectuals and want to be intellectuals to sit around thinking about and discussing many things, such as existence, logic, aesthetics, morality and religion. As was his custom, Paul began share with all who listened, the way of God. The people were inclined to hear because they were always interested in hearing something new. Some believed and some did not.

Beloved, humanity has changed little. Everyone still has an opinion about everything and it is not difficult to attract followers to just about anything. There is no credible way to accurately quantify the number of religions practiced on the planet. Suffice it to say, most everyone is looking to believe in something higher than themselves that will eventually answer all of our questions. For this dilemma, Paul offers the one true living God.

Even in Christ, we must ask ourselves what we truly believe. It is true that we may claim Christianity and even attend worship in a church building, but whom do we truly serve? Is it our possessions? Our relationships? Our vocations? Our habits? If you are unsure, examine where you spend most of your time and resources. This may very well be a strong indicator.

Surely God wants us all to have life, and that more abundantly. But let us always remember who provides that life. Let us remember that, "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation," Acts 17:24-26.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee