Knowing God in the New Year

# Knowing God in the New Year

In September 2006, in the magazine USA Today (USAToday.com), Cathy Lunn-Grossman wrote an article titled: "Different Images of God for Americans." In this article, Cathy presented the results of a study on the different views Americans hold about God, conducted by sociologists at Baylor University. Part of the research was a survey conducted by the Gallup organization, which identified four different views of God's character and His relationship with the world of humanity. In this survey:

* 31.4% of people believe that God is an "Authoritarian," He is "angry at the sins of mankind and the problems of decay in the world of all creatures." * 23% believe that God is a "Benevolent" Being, always forgiving and accepting anyone who repents. * 16% believe that God is a "Critical Judge," He "watches the world with a discerning eye, but He will not intervene, neither to punish nor to comfort." * And 24.4% believe that He is a "Distant God," a powerful force greater than "a cosmic power that released the world and then let it spin on its own."

Through this survey, we see how Americans, in general, know God? They perceive God differently, not accurately, because they do not truly know who God is, do they? What about you? Who do you think God is? We who believe in Jesus Christ certainly know that God is One who loves mankind, compassionate, merciful, so much so that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to come into the world as a man: "Though he was God's Son, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up everything, even his form as God; he became a servant in the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself and was obedient, even to death—death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8). It is the precious blood of Jesus Christ that has cleansed us from our sins and given us a new spirit, a new person in Christ, the beloved people of God. Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and only through faith in Him do we draw near to God!

Knowing God is not merely knowing His character and titles, but we must truly experience His presence, His absolute power, and the wonderful works that God has done in the life of each of us. We must truly know who God is so that we can testify and share His Gospel to all peoples clearly and accurately! We must meditate on God's Word each day, pray, and commune with God, so that we may clearly know God's will for each of our lives. "Taste and see how good the Lord is! Blessed are those who take refuge in him" (Psalm 34:8). I pray that God will help us in this New Year to understand Him more deeply, to understand His Word more profoundly, so that we may stand firm in Him amid a world filled with much upheaval, hardship, and anxiety; I ask God to strengthen us to boldly share His Gospel from now until the day Jesus Christ returns! Amen!

Love eternal, forever true, God alone, Holy, almighty, all-knowing Lord, Truth, the Way, and the Life we own, Fear Him with all our hearts, trust His word! Mortal mankind cannot comprehend, Must humble themselves, be meek and small, Repent with sorrow, to God extend, Only in fearing God, trust His call!

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