So What's the Story with God?
In a 2009 survey of social attitudes, around 71% of Australians stated that they believe in God or a higher power. Just over 50% believed in life after death and a heaven and around 40% believed in miracles.
Yet many people are confused about who exactly he is and – if he exists – what does that mean for everyday life. Here’s a few common questions about knowing God and some answers from the bible.
Yes it is. In fact, it is actually possible to be friends with God, to bring him joy and – like a fragrance – even please him.
“Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15, NLT)
Correct. The bible says that we have been blinded to spiritual things. It’s like a veil prevents us from seeing.
“If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4a, NLT)
The same God who in the beginning said, “Let there be light” can also make his light shine in our hearts.
“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6, NLT)
On the outside, we may not look any different. But inside, there’s the most wonderful treasure. The life of Jesus is now alive in us.
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, 11, NLT)
Your present body is like a tent. Just a temporary dwelling. The real you – that is the inner you – will live forever in a new body.
“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” (2 Corinthians 5:1, NLT)
Well, you are a whole new being. It’s the ultimate re-set. The old life is gone and a new eternal life begins. That’s the life that brings God joy and pleases him.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)