Our Five Senses and Knowing God

Our Five Senses and Knowing God

God has created us with five senses so that we can encounter Him in all of His creation.  Each sense, in its own unique way, shows us something about God. 

Most of us these days acknowledge hearing in this way, when hear God’s word. Most of us these days acknowledge seeing in this way, when we read God’s word.

But God gives us five senses, not just two.

For the next while, we will examine a characteristic of God as He reveals it in all five senses.  We will examine a fact about God as He reveals it in all five senses.  We will examine God’s revelation of Himself as we can understand it using all five senses.

I hope to follow a five day cycle.  Throughout the five days, we will look at how something about God (for example His power, His omniscience, His love, His providence, His justice, His grace, His love, etc.) is found and enjoyed through each of the senses.    (Following the cycle like this:  God’s power and hearing, God’s power and sight, God’s power and smell, God’s power and taste, God’s power and touch.)

Basically, one attribute per week, examined five different ways.

Revelation VI: These Very Words

Revelation V

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19 ESV)

These Very Words

It is an old phrase, with its origin in I Thessalonians 32:13, but many churches have been returning lately to reciting: “This is the very word of God!” after scripture is read.

It is a good phrase. 

Because the Bible does not merely contain the word of God.  The Bible is not simply an example of the word of God.  The Bible is not a summary of the word of God.  The Bible is not a way for us to connect with the word of God.

The Bible… from Genesis to Revelation is the very word of God.

And the way to receive it is not through a picture, or a cartoon, or a movie, or a work of art, or anything other than the actual words of God, as He wrote them in His scripture.

Don’t add to them.  Don’t take away from them.

Read them… absorb them… study them… accept them… learn them… obey them.

Because they are the very words of God.

Revelation V: Grand Finale

Revelation IV

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3,4 ESV)

Grand Finale

At the end of a concert, the classy performers come meet with the audience.  When I was a boy, the preacher would come meet with the congregation after the worship service.  At some political rallies, the main speakers come meet the supporters.  At the end of the Indianapolis 500, the cool racers gather at the finish line to meet aspiring drivers.  After some baseball games, the kind athletes come sign autographs after the game.

And at the end of this earthly timeline, God Himself will be with us!

Yes, in Christ, He already is, but then, God will be completely with us!

Yes, in our hearts we experience the amazing presence of God, but then, God will be completely with us!

Yes, we know the presence of God through His people in our lives, through His church, but then, God will be completely with us!

And is not that description exciting? No more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain… all those horrible things will be gone.

Because God will be with us, and we will be with Him.

What a grand finale!

Revelation Letters VII: Lukewarm

Revelation Letters VII

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.  ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (Revelation 3:14-22)

Lukewarm

“Lukewarm” is a strange word.  It is a compound word, beginning with the “luke” part, which means tepid… or warm.  The “warm” part means warm.

So the word literally means, ‘warm-warm.’

Warm would be bad enough, either for morning coffee, or ice cream.

But warm-warm… double warm… REALLY warm… is terribly bland, uncommitted (to temperature), and needs SOMETHING done to it: either more heat or more cold.

It is far too easy to slip into lukewarm-mode with our faith.  We become so used to it.  We  become so complacent about it.  We become so unenthusiastic about it.  We become so bored with it.

Because we forget who Jesus really is for us.  He is not just a friend who comes in and out of our lives from time to time.  He is not a far-away divine meddler.  He is not a fix or cure that we can take out when we have particular needs.  He is not merely a line in a creed or profession of faith.

He is the shield standing between us and our deserved eternal death.  He is our only comfort in life, and in death.  He is the only completely reliable brother.  He is the only person who actually understands us.  He is the inventor of love.  He is all powerful.  He is all knowing.  He is always present everywhere.  He is ruling from heaven, and is the King of the Kingdom of God on earth.  He is more than we can imagine, and the fulness of all knowledge.

He is nothing to be lukewarm about.

Revelation Letters VI: Name Dropping

Revelation Letters VI

 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.  ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.   Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.  I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.  The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:7-13

Name Dropping

I was at a film award ceremony a few years ago, and I had the opportunity to converse with a fairly well-known actor about my appreciation for some of his work.  For the rest of the weekend, whenever he noticed me, he called me over and introduced me to his famous friends. 

None of them new me, or anything about me.  But because HE introduced me, praised me, and claimed me as a friend, so did they.

I was not accepted because of the small part I played in a small film.  I was accepted because that well-known actor claimed me.

That is what all Christians are like in the kingdom of God.  We are accepted because JESUS loves us individually.  We are of note because JESUS loves us individually.  We are adopted children of God because JESUS loves us individually.

He, before God, drops OUR name!  And that makes us amazing.

Revelation Letters V: Awake and Clothed

Revelation Letters V

 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.  ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’  (Revelation 3:1-6 ESV)

Awake and Clothed

I would not make a good fireman.  I wake up slowly.  I usually need to cough a little, dry my eyes a little, blow my nose a little, and un-muddy my thoughts.

When I plan to wake up very early in the morning, I do better when I have lain out my clothes.  The process of getting ready in the morning, while usually simple, seems complex when I am just waking up.  A plan helps.  Knowing what I am doing, helps.

The Christians in Sardis needed to wake up, and be dressed.  And as long as they were depending on their own wisdom, they would fail.  As long as they were depending on their own righteousness, they would fail.  As long as they were depending on their own maturity, they would fail.

The pathway to waking up and getting dressed is found in remembering how they were saved, how they can continue in that salvation, and how they can finish the earthly part of that salvation strongly.

And it is all Jesus.

Waking up, for them and us, means leaving our slumbers of self-focus.  Waking up, for them and us, means an awareness of Christ’s presence, His holiness on our behalf, His gracious forgiveness when we fail, and His sufficiency.  Waking up, for them and us, means seeing clearly our need for Christ in every area of our lives.

Getting dressed, for them and us, means wearing HIS robes of perfection.  It is HIS holiness that brings salvation.  Getting dressed, for them and us, means wearing HIS robes of relationship with God.  It is HIS Son-ness that lets us be adopted as sons and daughters.  Getting dressed, for them and us, means wearing HIS robes of readiness.  Because HE is our fortress, our protector, and our provider.

Wake up, and get dressed.

Revelation Letters IV: Compromise

Revelation Letters IV

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.  But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.  I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.  But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.  Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,  and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (Revelation 2:18-29 ESV)

Compromise

When it comes to dinner plans, interior design, or dog names, compromise can be a useful tool.  But when it comes to Christians living under our King Jesus, yet having to interact with the Kingdom of this World, compromise is dangerous.

Thyatiran Christians lived in a busy intersection of worldviews, due to trade.  Remaining strong in the teachings of Christ would on the one hand be easy (Since there were so MANY views of life, Christians could appear to blend in.)  On the other hand, since Christ’s teachings are foundationally, practically, and noticeably different than every other religion, philosophy, and lifestyle, the life of a Christian was a life of standing out, of being different, of not blending in.

On the whole, those Christians were living correctly.  Other than, apparently, a group who mixed Christianity with other religious practices, the Thyatiran Christians understood that Christ’s world is not a world of compromise with the enemy.  

WE live in a similar world.  SO many worldviews.  SO many philosophies.  SO many potential compromises.

But do not blend in, but in only the ways Jesus does, stand out.  Do not strive to be like everyone else, but strive to be like King Jesus. 

And the most unique things about Jesus surely include: love, grace, love, hope, love, faith, love, forgiveness, love, honesty, love, love, and love.

Revelation Letters III: Warfare

Revelation Letters III

 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.  So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ (Revelation 2:12-17 ESV)

Warfare

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1871, most French and Prussian citizens did not even know they were at war.  But by the time of World War I, things changed.  Not only was World War I called a world war because so many nations took part, but also it is best described as a world war because the entire populace of the combatant nations were affected by the war, suffered because of the war, and were involved in the war.

The Spiritual war between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the World is more like World War I than like the Franco-Prussian War.

We are involved in that war, even if we do not feel like we are on the front line.  We are involved in that war even if we do not notice the struggle.  We are involved in that war even if we are not missionaries, preachers, elders, or deacons.

We are involved in the Spiritual War between the Kingdom of god and the Kingdom of the World simply because we live, we interact, we exist, we ARE.

Hold fast, brothers and sisters. We’re at war!  Christ’s War…

Revelation Letters II: The Worst

Revelation Letters II

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.  “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” (Revelation 2:8-11 ESV)

The Worst

What is the worst that could happen?  The church in Smyrna (as in fact, ALL followers of Christ) was suffering.  They were being slandered, publicly challenged, and falsely accused.  Soon, Christ tells them, their suffering would increase.  Some might be imprisoned.  And some might die as they suffer.

But the worst they would experience was physical death.  Obviously, that is not ‘nothing.’ But Jesus tells them that even the worst leads to the best.  The ‘second death’, the result of God’s judgment after their bodies die, was NOTHING to fear.

In fact, it is a fantastic blessing.  For them, those who lean on Christ, those who believe, those who know Him, those who are HIS… the judgment was not fearful, but hopeful.  It was not suffering, but blessing.  It was not difficult, but an easy yoke to bear.

And that promise is the same for believers today. When bad days come (and I am not necessarily referring to any apocalyptic, world-ending, movie-level disaster.  But we suffer… and we will suffer.  And when we do, no matter HOW bad it seems or is, that suffering is an avenue to betterness instead of bitterness, a beginning instead of an end, and blessing instead of pain.

The worst is not the worst… it is God at work bringing us the best.

Revelation Letters I: Lost and Found

Revelation Letters I

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ (Revelation 2:1-7 ESV)

Lost

Some things, once lost, are gone.   Things such as money, time, and  cake left out in the rain.

Some things, once lost, are regained with difficulty.  Things such as memories, car keys, and the good opinion of Mr. Darcy.

Some things, once lost, come back easily.  Things such as phone numbers, a dog, and weight.

The first love of the church of Ephesus had been lost.  But Christ Jesus writes to them because they can find it again.  God is gracious.  God is very interested in restoration.  God fixes things.

Every Christian has been lost, in this sense, and then found.  Repeatedly.

There is even a line in a familiar song about it.  “I once was lost but now I am found.”

Find your first love, Jesus Christ, again. (And again… and again…)

Revelation III: Personal Letters

Revelation III

Personal Letters

The book of Revelation displays letters from Jesus to seven of His churches. 

Scripture is unique in that the Bible was written both to ALL of God’s people, and specifically to particular individuals, groups, or churches.  Usually, unfortunately, we use that dichotomy to pay less attention to the Word of God.  Where it presses us more when perceived as a General book, we choose to think of it as specific, but not to US.  When it presses us more when perceived as a book to specific recipients, we choose to think of it as a general book.

Over the next few days, read these letters.  See what He might be saying to YOU.  I will make some brief suggestions, but consider reading the letter from Jesus to these churches, but read them as if He is writing to you… to your church… to our church… to THE church more than to A church.

Revelation II: Keys

Revelation II

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. (Revelation 1:17-18 ESV)

Keys

I used to have a large collection of keys.  Some were interesting, like skeleton keys, antique safe keys, huge keys, tiny keys, and oddly shaped mysterious keys.

Other keys in my collection were more mundane.  Old house keys, most NOT from homes I had lived in.  Old car keys, most NOT from automobiles that I had owned.  Old padlock keys, deadbolt keys, shed keys, and keys that I did not know the purpose.  And they were dull.

But all those keys had one thing in common.

They did not fit anything, as far as I knew.

They did not open anything, lock anything, help anything, or serve any purpose.

Jesus’ keys are NOT like my keys.

They are important, beautiful, valuable, and necessary for Christians.

Because Jesus lived through death, and was resurrected, He holds the keys of death.  Which really mean also the keys of life.

Because Jesus accepted Christians’ punishment for our myriad of sins, He holds the keys of Hades.  Which really means also the keys of heaven.

I knew my parents trusted me when they gave me keys to our house, our car, and our garage.

We know God trusts Jesus because Jesus has the keys of death and life, hades and heaven.

And when we trust Jesus, He uses those keys for us! 

He is the door to life out of death, He holds those keys.  He is the key to heaven, and freedom from Hades, He holds those keys.

Revelation I: Everything

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8 ESV)

Everything

It almost seems easier to contemplate the infinity of God.

But here, we see the Lord God described in not quite those terms, although it might seem like it.

He is the beginning and the end.

The alphabet of any language is used to build every possible word in that language.

In Greek, the language of the New Testament Bible, alpha was the first letter, and omega was the last.  But more importantly, by claiming that He is alpha and Omega, the Lord God is laying claim that He is behind every word in that language  

The Lord God, in other words, is not just the start and the finish, the beginning and the end, the first and the last… all linear concepts. 

But the Lord God is sovereign over EVERY part of life.  The Lord God is behind EVERY part of life.  The Lord God created, upholds, and redeems EVERY part of life.

Far from a simplistic universalism, the Lord God is the source of all, the caretaker of all, the knower of all, the lover of all.

Not linear, but length and depth and height.

He is never not here.

Jude III: Doubters

Jude III

And have mercy on those who doubt. (Jude 22 ESV)

Doubters

Strangely, we are often proud of our faith.  We act as if our faith, our trust, our abandonment of doubting God, is something that we did through strength of will, intelligence, or integrity.

When in fact, faith is a gift.

And those who have not received that gift do not deserve the derision we often impose on them.

“Strangers are friends we haven’t met yet,” said Will Rogers, supposedly.

Maybe we can see doubters as, “those who haven’t believed YET.”

I hope they are.

Jude II: Good Words

Jude II

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24,25 ESV)

Good Words

The word, ‘benediction’ comes from Latin, and means quite simply, “Good Speaking.” 

Words these days get a bum rap.  We think talk is cheap, rhetoric is useless, and actions speak louder than words.

But those cliches are not necessarily true.

God’s words count.  He created the universe through His words.  He gave us His Son, through His word.  In fact, Jesus Christ IS the Word long before He did anything on earth.

The Father of Lies has worked hard through the ages to diminish the power of God’s words.  But ultimately, Satan fails.  God’s Word and words are still the most powerful things in the universe.

God blesses His people first by speaking to us.  And what He speaks, His Word, is always good.

We like actions, we like proof, we like evidence, we like fulfilled promises.  And while history and our society give us good reason to doubt the words of Emperors, Kings, Presidents, Senators, Mayors, husbands, wives, parents, siblings, neighbors, friends, and even Lassie, God’s Words are true, reliable, powerful, and all that we need.

So God blesses us in this benediction, this good speaking, and that can fill us with hope.  God’s good words are greater than all the actions of everyone else.

Jude I: Serious

Jude I

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. (Jude 5 ESV)

Serious

As a business manager, hiring people was a pleasure, firing them was not.  When gardening, planting new rosebushes is fun, digging up old ones is not.  When writing, new paragraphs feels creative and exciting, erasing bad paragraphs does not.

The other side of the gospel is that the ones who are not saved, will be destroyed.

Notice that Jesus is not described as destroying sinners… but rather sinners who did not believe.

Jesus is not described as destroying those who do horrible deeds… but rather, those who did horrible deeds but did not believe.

Jesus is not described as destroying those who are below the half way mark of good behavior… but rather, those (wherever they are on the measuring stick of good and bad behavior) who chose to ignore the offer of the gospel… those who did not believe.

That is why the gospel matters.

III John II: Regular

III John II

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (III John 4 ESV)

Regular

John does not say that his greatest joy is hearing that his spiritual children are leaping tall buildings in a single bound.  They are walking.

John does not say that his greatest joy is hearing that his spiritual children are running fast, hard, long, and tirelessly.  They are walking.

John does not say that his greatest joy is hearing that his spiritual children are effortlessly performing acts of amazing athleticism.  They are walking.

John, I expect would have had joy in those other things, too.

But his greatest joy is that they are living faithful lives in the mundane, every day, regular activities of life.

Because salvation looks like that, too.

III John I: Games People Play

III John I

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. (III John 11 ESV)

Games People Play

English children in the 1500’s practiced archery to become Archers.  Easy-Bake-Ovens ™ are fun toys that teach children how to cook.  American children in the 1970’s played Monopoly to become careful financial planners. 

What we play at, we easily become.

I wonder about some of the games I used to play… and even about some of the games I like to play today.

I wonder what I am practicing.

Let us imitate good.

Let us not imitate evil.

II John II: Truth

II John II

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God.  (II John 9 ESV)

Truth

What matters is the teaching of Christ.  We do not learn salvific truth from a beautiful sunrise.  We do not learn God’s absolute sovereignty from a bee’s nest.  We do not learn God personally through our friendships.

Those things are useful and good… they are a blessing.  They teach us SOMETHING about God.

But we need the truth of Jesus to eternally survive.  The things He taught while He lived in Judea.  The things He taught through ALL of the Bible, because HE is the Word.  The things He taught from Genesis to Revelation.

That is the truth that matters.  That is the truth we need.  That is the truth that gives hope to the hopeless, fellowship to the lonely, and love to the loveless.

And any truth that does NOT include His truth, is not really Truth.

II John I

II John I

…whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,  because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever. . (II John 1,2 ESV)

True Doctrine

We usually think of love as emotional, internal, and subjective.

But love is found in truth.

Love is observed in truth.

Love exists because of truth.

Not mere mathematical truth, or Sherlock Holmes truth, or Supreme Court truth, or World Book Encyclopedia truth. 

Those kins of truth, as useful as they are, are not real, full truth.  The kind of truth that leads to love.

Love is found in the truth of God.

Love is observed in the truth of God.

Love exists because of the truth of God.

So doctrine matters!