The Big Question 10: Why Doesn’t God Reveal Himself to Me?
Apr 24, 2018 5317
Radio Version:
Why doesn’t God reveal himself to me?
A friend of mine recently told me she had decided to abandon Christianity. She explained her reason and questioning why doesn’t God reveal himself to us personally?
She reasoned that a person who cared about her would call her, or visit, or message her. “So,” she reasoned, “if God exists, and is meant to love me, then he should come and let me know.”
That’s logical, isn’t it!
But here’s the thing. God revealed himself to humanity already… He did it in a way that is at the same time both the most provable and the most personal.
He did it when Jesus Christ was born, and in his work on earth, his death, and his resurrection.
The twelve disciples of Jesus had the same issue. One day, Philip said to Jesus:
Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.
Jesus’ answer was pretty clear. He said,
Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
Jesus also said,
I and the Father are one.
So, in Jesus, God came to reveal himself to humanity in the most provable and the most personal way: provable, because his birth, life, work, death, and yes, even his resurrection are facts of history if you are willing to look at the evidence; and personal, because God came to live among us, as a human being, just like you and me.
Now, I just want you to think through what this means. To look into the face of Jesus was to look into the face of God. In fact, that’s the most fundamental belief of Christianity. It’s what basically sets it apart from the Jewish faith.
Jesus had to struggle with the weaknesses and issues of humanity. During his ministry, he lived as a homeless man. He faced unfairness, prejudices, and cruelty. He knew what it was to be betrayed, and he was executed as a common criminal.
How could anyone today say that God has not revealed himself to humanity?
And, because he claimed that he died for the sake of all who would believe in Him so that they need not die, how could anyone say that God has not revealed himself as a God of utmost love and kindness?
Consider Jesus on the cross. He said that when he did that, he took your place so that you might live. It doesn’t get more personal than that.
Do I believe that Jesus Christ could appear to you today and announce himself to you? Yes, I do.
But the greatest and most personal revelation of God to you has already happened. And I believe that if someone doesn’t believe that, and doesn’t think through its implications, then, for them, nothing else that God did would matter anyway.
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