Do You Want To See God?

Article written for the missoulian.com

Many wonder and dream of what it would be like to see God face to face. Imaginations run wild as we have seen in the depictions of God through artists and movies. Poetry and songs with words describing who God is and what He must be like, are examples that point to the reality that every person is searching for answers about God.

To find the answer to these questions is to read the pages of the only book which gives us the truth of God. That book is the Holy Bible which contains in it the inspired Word of God. In it we read the following, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 (ESV) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 (ESV)

God is holy, meaning that there is no sin or darkness in Him. The requirement to see God is that you must be holy. If you are not holy, then you have no hope of ever seeing God, His Kingdom or ever being allowed in. The Bible teaches us that there is nothing that anyone can do to be holy and right with God. The unholy, hopeless sinner cries, “Woe is me!”

The Bible does teach us that a person can be made holy. Holiness cannot be achieved by any good work, service, mission or pilgrimage. Jesus Christ who is fully God and fully man, made the only way to make an unholy sinner holy. This work was completed by Christ when He died on the cross to bear the sins of His people. At the cross He shed His blood and bore the wrath of God the Father meant for us that through faith in Christ we might be saved and made holy.

A religious man came to Jesus seeking answers regarding God. Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (ESV) The Lord Jesus went on to teach the man that being born again is a description of the work that God does to make a sinner holy. This work of God changes the hearts and opens eyes to the truth of gospel of Jesus. The result being that the unholy person calls out to God for forgiveness and salvation.

Therefore, forgiveness of sin and being made holy is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus not only died on the cross but offers great joy and hope for the person who has faith in Him, because Jesus is alive! On the third day after His death, Jesus was raised to life. He has ascended to heaven and has promised to return one day to judge the living and the dead. All who have been made holy by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone will see God and be with Him in His kingdom for eternity. I pray that you seek the face of God through the work of Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Paul Taylor