FINDING GOD THROUGH LAW
The search for God occupies the minds of many people. Some try to find God through test tubes and theories with no facts. Others try to construct a God idea that will allow them to do what they want with no fear of the here after. Those who are really searching for God must do so in a diligent manner (Hebrews 11:6). The evidences in nature and the world around us provide ample evidence for the individual who wants to know if there is a God (Romans 1:20). That is not what we speak of in this article.
We are talking about, finding God. Faith is knowing that He exists but it is also knowing that He rewards those who seek Him in the right way. Jesus explained the importance of the kingdom, which is His church. Those who follow Christ are to seek that kingdom, first (Matthew 6:33). The seeking of that kingdom requires a view of "His righteousness". One cannot find God until he knows God. When we are confronted by the holiness of God, then we must make a decision. Shall we follow this holy God or do we just walk away? The young ruler of Matthew 19 could claim a knowledge of God.
That knowledge of God led him to lead his life in a certain way. He was a young man who had kept the law (Matthew 19:18-20). Moral conduct was not a problem for this man. He understood the value of “behaving one’s self “ before the world. Jesus caused him, however, to face the righteousness of God. He was to sell his possessions and give to the poor. A man who had spent his life keeping the law of Moses would not have been out of step in caring for the poor. Jesus told him if he did this act of giving to the poor, he would have treasure in heaven. Then Jesus told the man to follow Him.
How could you follow someone who you did not trust His words? Jesus would later declare that He was the truth (John 14:6). If such is the case, then no matter what He would tell you, it would be right. The ruler had no problem with adultery, murder or stealing. When Jesus called upon him to put his trust in Jesus, Matthew tells us that the man went away sorrowfully (Matthew 19:22). Many people have no problem with some things that Jesus taught. It is, however, the realization that we must accept Jesus Himself from the viewpoint that whatever He tells us is RIGHT.
If Jesus taught you to not kill your neighbor, would you have a hard time obeying such a command? If He taught you to not steal from your neighbor, would this be a difficult thing to obey? It is not just the rightness of the commands but it is understanding that it is right because God said it. Paul spoke of some who had come to unbelief. Did their unbelief mean that the faith of God was without effect? The answer is, "God forbid" (Romans 3:3,4). Paul continues in verse 4 by affirming that God is true and man is the liar. If God is right about murder and stealing, what about my giving as I have been prospered (I Corinthians 16:1,2)?
How can God be right about murder and stealing and yet be wrong about my having to give to Him from that which I have prospered, because of Him? It is like the ruler in Matthew 19, he would never say that God lied about him having to give up his possessions to the poor and follow Jesus. His actions declared that very idea. When he went away sorrowfully, he did so because for the first time in his life, he found God. He did not like the implications of what he had found. If Jesus tells you to be baptized in order to be saved, what will you do with that knowledge (Mark 16:16)?
The scribe and prophet Ezra came to Jerusalem with this attitude. He had prepared his heart to seek the law of God. He purposed to do that law. Then beyond that, he wanted to teach others about that law (Ezra 7:10). A person cannot find God apart from the law of God. Finding God in a manner that will save causes one to do the law, that is put it into practice. The joy of such living causes us to want others to find God the same way; that is through the revealed truth of God.
Is God true in our lives? Is there some part of His will that we choose to not obey? If there is, then we may be blessed by knowledge (rich young ruler) but we have not yet found God. We find God when, through truth, we come to know that God Himself is true and whatever He tells us is right. May we all find God.