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So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. "It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you're dealing with. "The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it? "God overlooks it as long as you don't know any better - but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he's calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:22-31)
The Apostle Paul took every advantage to share Jesus. On this trip to Athens he found statues to gods all over the city, including the one shown above, which was inscribed "To the god nobody knows" or as other versions state "to an unknown god." That was the only opening he needed to share with them the truth about God. In a marvelous way Paul sums up the gospel from creation to resurrection which includes the judgment of the world. Paul knew their literature and shares from a poem that says, "We're the God-created," and begins to share the truth about God being everywhere and not being confined to a statue or a site; and our God calls us all to "radical life-changes." Paul is challenging the religiousness of their faith to the relationship of our faith; we trust God and we walk with God and from God we seek forgiveness and mercy and receive it through Jesus Christ. And as such we await the day when we will be judged and Christ' intervention has saved us from eternal separation to eternal life in God.
The God-created should know the wondrous nature of God, and once they know it, they share Him; “In Him we live and move and have our being.” We know that God is near and we should live our lives with that assurance and knowledge.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to know You more today than I did yesterday. I truly desire a relationship with You. Forgive my sins and trespasses, and help me be one who shares You to those who do not yet know You. This I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Show people that you are God-created!
Eradio Valverde
