By Gary Amirault
The first half of my life, I could look at such a beautiful sunset and not believe in a God who created it. I did not hear Him, did not see Him, did not feel Him and certainly did not know Him. But what if I did come to a conclusion there was a god or gods based upon this incredible scene — would that have changed my life for the better? I think not. Christians often quote Romans chapter 1 to condemn most of humanity to eternal torment because God made it evident He exists by the things He created. Therefore, they conclude, all humans who do not accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior are without excuse. But this line of reasoning is simply nonsense. Trees and beautiful seas do not lead one to the only name under heaven by which we must be saved. Believing there is a god, believing there are supernatural forces at work in nature does not bring one to Jesus.
“No one can come to Son unless the Father draws him.” (John 6:44)
You may be drawn to a church because you love the beautiful building. You may be drawn to a denomination because of its length of duration. You may be drawn because it is the church or denomination of your ancestors. You may place your soul in a comfortable pew because that church has a great children’s program. You may like the economic, social or ethnic makeup of your church. You may be drawn by the “fear of the Lord” preached from the pulpit even as many are drawn to scary movies. You may be drawn by charismatic, persuasive preacher to an idea you might buy into like the “prosperity message.” There are over 40,000 denominations of Christianity each having something to draw in people. One church drew tens of thousands because the building was made of glass. It was sold off recently to pay creditors.
Our heavenly Father may draw some exquisite paintings in the skies, seas and land that may overwhelm the senses with awe and wonder. But when it comes to drawing your heart, He will send His only begotten Son, full of His glory, full of His nature and character and Spirit. God is love and Jesus Christ is His perfect expression of that love for all mankind, none excluded. Open your heart and let the King of Glory fill you with the kingdom of heaven and all its glory.
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” (1 Cor. 2:9-10)
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:14-19)
Oh, dear reader, if you only knew the fullness of all your Father and mine has prepared for you for all eternity … my, my … the word “Glory” falls so short of the reality that awaits you. Draw us closer, Father, draw us closer.
One thought on “Of Suns and the Son”
I was reading Dr. Edward Beecher’s book History of Opinions on the Scriptural Doctrine of Retribution and just finished it over the weekend.
Of course , there are many good things in it about the world to come like the final restoration of all mankind of which he believes as opposed to the annihilation of the wicked or the eternal damnation of the non-elect.
One thing he said in the end though was in line with this blog Of Suns and the Son, namely, that the church has been remiss in painting a better and more glorious picture of our destiny and the use of “eternity” and “forever and ever” that doesn’t really capture the wonder of what awaits us, sadly, so thank you for this beautiful piece on this most important subject. May we all grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord daily and in so doing shine light on what lies ahead for all of us in the fullness of time.
My prayer daily, also, is that the Lord shine through as I venture out into my little sphere of influence here in Victoria, Texas. May this be so also for everyone else who call themselves Christians as they bloom where they are planted to the glory of God.