People often have thoughts about how God should reveal Himself.
Some say,
“He should just show Himself to everyone, so that everyone would believe in Him.”
And others say,
“It is better that He reveals Himself to whomever He chooses.”
Well, whatever your view, the Scriptures offer us some insight into how God chooses to make Himself known in this present age.
For, in John 14:22-23 (ESV), we read:
“Judas (not Iscariot) asked Jesus, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
So, what can we learn from Jesus’ response?
Well, the first thing is that God establishes a personal and deep relationship with those who love and obey Him. And second, He “manifests” Himself to them by dwelling with them spiritually, with this being a reference to the indwelling Holy Spirit (see John 14:15-20).
And when I read passages like John 14:22-23, I marvel about the imagery God choses to communicate His relationship with those who love Him, for it is something relatable to all – a home.
Now, for most people, our home signifies a place where we live and find comfort and rest, often with the people we love. But in John 14:23, God is talking about an intimate ongoing relationship with us through the presence of His Holy Spirit.
Now, please ponder this for a minute. The third person of the Trinity…dwelling in you and every other believer in Jesus. For our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). And it is through the Holy Spirit that God makes Himself increasingly known to a believer. As He confirms that they belong to God (Romans 8:15-17), gives them gifts to serve Him (1 Corinthians 12:11), empowers them to do so (Galatians 5:16), helps them to understand and apply Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:12), prays for them (Romans 8:26-27), and guides them in paths of righteousness (Romans 8:14). So, He is continually active in us, praise His Name.
So, while it will be to the praise of God when He reveals that He exists to all people, it is also to His praise that He dwells in His people and makes His home with them. May we find comfort and find rest in that, and in Him.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Rob