What Would God Say?

“If there was one thing God would say to me today, what would it be?”—Joy

Often we want God to speak to us directly, offering guidance, solving problems and providing answers to the “big” questions that confront us. Actually, God does address us individually—our problem is we do not often listen very well.

Generally, God speaks through the inspired record of His revelation of Himself to humanity—a book we call the Bible. Through a wide variety of literary styles and genre, God covers a lot of issues! Truth and reality, law and grace, freedom and responsibility, justice and mercy, judgment and forgiveness, and holiness and purity are all encompassed within His message to us.

Scripture consistently teaches that people are most blessed if they love God above all else and love people. For the Hebrews, the distillation of these instructions was given in the Decalogue. Wise Solomon advised, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . . ” (Prov.3:5-6). Through the prophets, God instructed His people to, “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Me” (Mic. 6:8). Jesus defined the greatest commandments in this way, “Love God and love your neighbor” (Mt. 22:36-39). Other texts such as the Sermon on the Mount and Paul’s letters offer theology and ethics which are powerful guides for living today. God likely would want us to hear all of this.

Christians believe that God’s most significant message to humankind is that God Himself has come among us in the person of Jesus Christ. The prominent theologian of the early 20th century, Karl Barth, once declared this statement to be the most profound truth he had ever heard, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

So, what one thing might God say? “Read My Book. It’s all in there. Then, let’s talk.”