God Winked - Part 658

Often, there is so much missed by the world's attempt to institutionalize and/or govern people in the form and traditions inherent in religion. Indeed, one of these hidden treasures is the scriptural reference that our Lord God and Saviour "winked." (Acts 17:30) What was He winking at? Primarily, as we read in the account below, God winked at people's willingness to worship every man-conceived idea and created idol while ignoring the very architecture of the universe -- and the inherent beauty within --  that our Lord not only created -- speaking the world into existence -- but currently holds in the palm of His hand.

Paul dealt with the same issue as he traveled through the countryside preaching in synagogues. Therein, according to Acts chapter seventeen, Paul reasoned with the people, using the established scriptures as the foundation document for discussion and debate. He similarly alleged to these synagogue audiences that based on prophecy, Christ was destined to suffer on the cross. And that the good news -- as also foretold in advance -- is that Jesus -- this same prophesied Christ -- would rise again from the dead.

Upon reaching Athens, however, Paul's spirit was stirred in him when he saw that the whole city was given to idolatry. He disputed with the Jews and devout persons, and in the marketplace daily with any who would listen. Even certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoicks asked, "What will this babbler say?" In their mind, Paul must have been a setter forth of strange gods, because he preached unto them only Jesus and His resurrection. One God -- the Alpha and Omega -- the beginning and the end.

They asked of Paul, "May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest is? For thou brings certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what this means." (Acts 17:20)

Paul responded, standing in the midst of Mars hill, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an alter with this inscription "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" whom therefore ye ignorantly worship -- Him declare I unto you.

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands. Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though He needs any thing, seeing He gives to all life and breath and all things ... and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him though He be not far from every one of us.

For in Him we live and move and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring." For as much then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone graven by art and man's device."

Imagine the idea that perhaps, somehow, humans in their limited capacity could even begin to create, in any form -- whether through art or by man's device -- or replicate the breadth and depth of our Lord God who loved us enough to willingly became our Saviour. It is no wonder "God winked" at our human ignorance.

The scriptures are clear. In the beginning God created us in "His" image. And yet, here we are trying to fit this same God into a picture, or a stone image, or a statue, or a carving -- or indeed, any man-made image that man constructs. For this, God wants every one everywhere to repent and adhere to the first commandment. That is, to love the Lord thy God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. Only one God and His name is Jesus.

In the days ahead, reflect on how much our Lord God our Saviour loves us. Believe in His grace and mercy -- and receive for yourself the peace and joy of Jesus that passes all understanding. Let Jesus fill your heart today. Stand in the offering plate.