Newsletter 5/15/2025

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.  - John 1:18

Let’s face it, our religious experience would be a whole lot easier if God were to just simply appear and give us an up close and personal glimpse of His glory, right? I mean, imagine if when you are doing your personal devotional time at home (and I hope you are doing that daily) that God manifests right there in the room in a cloud of brilliant light. Or think about what it would be like if when we gather for worship on Sabbaths that God visibly descends into the building during the music set to receive worship from His people. What if you were in danger or in a panic about something and then poof, God reveals Himself right in the nick of time to save you and comfort your heart, wouldn’t that be amazing? Well, we’d like to think so. 

And honestly, I’m sure that God wants show Himself to us. Wouldn’t it prove all of the doubters wrong? Wouldn’t it make atheism extinct? Would it not convert the whole entire world? Maybe. But it would also eliminate faith. One of the causalities of the glory cloud and fiery presence in our midst would be the ability to learn to trust that God is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He will do. The invisibility is a barrier, but it is an opportunity to trust Him more. And think about it, does He not already show up in your room when you pray? Doesn’t He now manifest in our worship services? Isn’t He there when you are in danger or having a meltdown? Yes! Does He need to be visible in order to break into your reality and alter your circumstances and change your heart? No.

He already does all of this, but we sometimes still refuse to see it. And even if He did show up in plain sight, the luminous power of His glowing presence would likely sear our eyes. Good luck ever seeing anything ever again. And what about His holiness? Even if we could endure seeing Him, our sinfulness couldn’t handle His perfection. Us sinners would be disintegrated. Talk about a real meltdown. And if you research the history of Israel, they were regular spectators of divine wonder and yet they doubted and questioned and complained and became bitter and lost their lives. So maybe seeing God up close and in person isn’t such a good idea after all?

But here is what God has done. Firstly, He has revealed Himself through nature. God is visible in the things which He has made (Romans 1:20). Then He revealed Himself in Jesus’ nature. God came to earth and lived on the very planet He created and walked among men in the person of His only precious Son. And that is not all, He reveals Himself through human nature. God enters not just the sphere of men, but the bodies of men. He takes over our lives and crushes out sin and self. Then He enthrones Himself inside of faith-filled and surrendered human souls. In all of this, God makes Himself very visible. So the next time you wish God would up and make Himself known and just appear for a quick cameo in your life, stop and reflect. He already has. You just need to open your eyes and your heart, and you will see Him. 

Pastor Dean