What the Bible Says About God: Our Heritage and Our Eternal Hope

What the Bible Says About God: Our Heritage and Our Eternal Hope

What Does It Mean?

The Bible reveals God as the one true God who has made Himself known to humanity throughout history. In ancient times, most people were pagans who worshiped multiple gods and goddesses. But around 1800 B.C., God revealed Himself to a man named Abram, who was later known as Abraham. God promised Abraham that He would make two great nations of his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:20-22; 22:15-18). Those two great nations are the Jews (also known as Hebrews or Israelites) and the Arabs. The Muslim Arabs trace their lineage to Abraham through his son Ishmael (Genesis 25:12-18). The Jews trace their lineage to Abraham through his son Isaac and Isaac's son Jacob, also known as Israel. The twelve tribes of Israel descended from Jacob's twelve sons (Genesis 35:22-26).

Jesus and His disciples were all Jews, and Christianity began as a small sect of Jesus' followers within Judaism. So Christians trace their spiritual heritage to Abraham through the Jewish origins of their faith. The three major monotheistic religions of the world—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—all worship the same God who revealed Himself to Abraham. God is known by many different names around the world: Dios in Spanish, Dieu in French, Gott in German, YHWH in Hebrew, and Allah in Arabic. However, while we share a common heritage, our understanding of God and His salvation is distinct through Jesus Christ.

The Bible also teaches that God will judge all people. God is patient and merciful, but when we die or Jesus comes again, there will be no more opportunities for repentance (Luke 16:22-26). The Bible says that all the people who ever lived will be judged (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:25-29; Romans 14:10-12; Revelation 20:11-15). God will judge different people by different standards, depending on their knowledge of the Gospel and the wealth, gifts, and abilities that have been entrusted to them (Matthew 10:14-15; 11:21-24; Luke 12:47-48; 20:45-47; 21:1-4; John 9:40-41; 15:22-24; Romans 2:12-16; 1 Corinthians 3:7-9; Galatians 6:3-5). As Jesus said, "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded" (Luke 12:48).

Eternal life with God awaits those who are judged to be righteous, but hell awaits those who are judged to be wicked. This is not a popular teaching, but it is a biblical one. God's judgment is just, and He will hold every person accountable for their response to His revelation.

The Twist

The twist is that the same God who will judge all people is also the God who offers salvation to all people. From Deuteronomy 10:17, we are reminded that God is the great, mighty, and awesome God—the God of gods and Lord of lords, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He is the righteous Judge who will not let sin go unpunished. But He is also the merciful Father who sent His Son to bear the punishment for sin so that we might be saved.

Even more striking is that God's judgment takes into account what we have been given. Those who have received more revelation and more resources will be held to a higher standard. This is both a comfort and a warning. It is a comfort because God is fair and just; He does not hold us accountable for what we did not know. It is a warning because those of us who have heard the Gospel and have been blessed with resources will be judged more strictly.

The most profound truth is that God's judgment is the final act of His justice. He will make all things right. The wicked will be punished, and the righteous will be rewarded. This is not a cause for fear for those who are in Christ, but a cause for hope. We can trust that God will do what is right, and we can live in the assurance that our sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

What Can I Learn?

First, God has revealed Himself to humanity and has made Himself known through Abraham, through Scripture, and most fully through Jesus Christ. We are not left to guess about who God is; He has shown us.

Second, God will judge all people. This is a sobering reality that should lead us to repentance and faith. No one will escape the judgment of God.

Third, God judges fairly. He takes into account what we have known and what we have been given. Those who have received more will be held to a higher standard. This should motivate us to use our resources and opportunities wisely.

Fourth, God's judgment is final. After death, there is no second chance. We must make our decision for Christ now, before it is too late.

Fifth, God's judgment is just. He will reward the righteous and punish the wicked. This is not a cause for fear for those who are in Christ, but a cause for hope. We can trust that God will make all things right.

How Does It Apply to Me?

Examine your response to God's revelation. Have you believed in Jesus Christ? Have you received the Gospel? If not, do not delay. Today is the day of salvation.

Examine your stewardship. What has God entrusted to you—your time, your resources, your knowledge? Are you using them for His glory, or are you using them selfishly? You will be held accountable for what you have been given.

Examine your view of judgment. Do you take God's judgment seriously? Are you living with a sense of accountability? The reality of judgment should motivate us to holy living.

Examine your hope. If you are in Christ, you have nothing to fear from judgment. Your sins have been forgiven, and you have eternal life. Let this hope fill you with peace and confidence.

Examine your witness. The reality of judgment should also motivate us to share the Gospel. There is no second chance after death. We must warn the wicked and invite them to come to Christ.

Final Reflections

Who is God? He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the God who revealed Himself to humanity and who has made Himself known through Jesus Christ. He is the righteous Judge who will judge all people according to their deeds. He is the merciful Father who sent His Son to save sinners. He is the just and holy God who will one day make all things right.

This is the God we worship. He is not distant or indifferent. He is near, loving, and holy. He calls us to repentance, to faith, and to holiness. He invites us to be saved from His judgment through Jesus Christ. He promises eternal life to all who believe.

Let us take His judgment seriously. Let us receive His grace. Let us live in holiness. And let us share His Gospel with a world that desperately needs to hear it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Jesus Christ. We confess that we have often taken Your grace for granted and failed to live in a way that honors You. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to be faithful.

We thank You that You are a righteous Judge who will make all things right. Help us to live with a sense of accountability, knowing that we will be judged according to what we have been given. Use our resources, our gifts, and our knowledge for Your glory.

We thank You that You are also a merciful Father who sent Your Son to save us. We receive Your grace and trust in Your forgiveness. Help us to live in the hope of eternal life and to share this hope with others.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and our Savior, Amen.