Don Stewart :: Is It Necessary for Unbelievers to Know God?

It is not only possible to know the God of the Bible it is an absolute necessity. Having God in one's life is not a luxury it is a necessity. It is crucial for those who do not believe to come to an understanding and trust in the God of Scripture.

It Is Our Choice

The Bible says that we do have a choice. We can choose to serve God or choose to disobey Him. But whether an individual chooses to reject or trust God, the Bible is clear that we all need God. He provides for us an identity, a purpose, and a destiny.

We Now Understand Our Identity

God tells who we are. We are here by design, not by chance. We have been made in the image of God.

Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over creeping things that creeps on the earth' (Genesis 1:26).

Humanity was created in God's image. This means we have the ability to love, communicate, and think. We also have the chance to know God on a personal level. This separates us from the animal kingdom. The Bible puts man on an entirely different level. Man is not an animal. Animals do not have the ability to know and worship God. God gave man the assignment to have charge over the animal kingdom. Animals were created for man. God provides man with a genuine identity.

We Now Have A Purpose

The Bible not only gives us this identity, as a unique creation of God, it also gives us a purpose for living. We are here to glorify God with our lives. Within the pages of the Bible we have a guidebook on how we can relate to God and how we are to conduct ourselves with one another. God has promised to guide us:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5,6).

God's Word Our Guide

We do not need to grope in the dark. God's Word is our guide that tells us God's plan and how we should live. When we have a relationship with the living God our lives take on a purpose.

We Know Our Destiny

God also provides for us a destiny. We know that this life is not all that there is. Scripture promises a conscious existence beyond the grave. God provides for us the assurance that we will spend eternity in His presence.

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

Believers Are Joint Heirs With Jesus Christ

He has made those who trust in Jesus joint heirs to all that is His.

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16,17).

Those Who Reject Him Have No Real Identity Or Purpose

Those who reject God not only lose the present benefits in this life of having a God-given identity and a real purpose, they also will lose the eternal benefits by being separated from God. The Bible says:

When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

Jesus said that He would tell many on judgment day that He never knew them.

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?' Then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers" (Matthew 7:21-23)

Summary

Human beings have a choice whether or not to have God in their life. Having God, through Jesus Christ, in one's life is a necessity for living both now and for eternity. A person can only find true fulfillment in God through Jesus Christ. God gives people an identity, purpose and destiny. Those who reject Christ have none of these.