Our God is the only true God (1 Cor. 8:5-6). In the 10 Commandments, God made it clear that he tolerates no rivals, and that he is not to be represented by physical images (Ex. 20:1-6). The essence of godliness is the sense of awe that God inspires in believers. When God called Moses near to speak with him from the burning bush, God said, “Do not come any closer…Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Ex. 3:5). Moses was afraid and hid his face. Consider the awe, fear, and reverence the people of Israel felt at Mt. Sinai when God indicated his presence with fire and smoke, thunder and lightning, the whole mountain trembling violently. (Ex. 19:16-19). Our God is an awesome God!
Paul’s sermon in Athens, recorded in Acts 17, is the classic contrast between man-made gods and the God of heaven and earth. Paul began by observing that the Athenians were “very religious” (Acts 17:22). He used their devotion to idols to introduce the one and only God. While God is to be revered, he considers us his offspring and wants to have a relationship with us. Paul declared that God has acted “so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). We need not cower in fear and think it is impossible to please God. Let us come to him with obedience and worship. Godliness leads us to draw near to him with a true heart and to be devoted to him (Heb. 10:22). We must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
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To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC
