“The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near. We live and move in him, can’t get away from him! One of your poets said it well: ‘We’re the God-created.’ Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?

 “God overlooks it as long as you don’t know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:24-31

God wants a personal relationship with us. A relationship that is more important than anything else in this world. God wants this because He knows that there is no other way to repentance which leads to joy, peace and true happiness than to follow Him completely in relationship. It just makes everything else better. When we follow Him completely we show kindness to all people not just our people. I was listening to a sermon this morning and I wish I remembered the pastor, but he said something that struck me. He said, and I am paraphrasing, the world is watching us. First, they are watching how we treat the people closest to us. Secondly, and this is more important, they are watching how we treat everyone else. When we are completely sold out for Jesus then loving people we don’t like is our focus rather than walking away from them.

In verse 30 we read,” The unknown is known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change.” In order for radical life change to happen we have to die to ourselves and live for Christ. That means walking with Him in a relationship that He calls us to. The lie the devil tells us every day is that some things can’t change even with a relationship with Jesus. Cast that lie out hold tight to God’s truth and trust Him with everything.

Prayer

Gracious God, help me today to remember that You are near. You will always be near and You will never leave me. I pray that I step out in faith and trust You as I walk in relation with You. I know, Lord, that when I do I will begin to love all of Your people not just the ones that are easy to love. In Jesus name, Amen.