Christendom misrepresents God to mankind as a harsh, stern, angry “god,” full of wrath. This is the byproduct of the religious system’s faulty estimation of God’s holiness. We have been seriously misled as to the true nature of our Creator.

When the choir of Israel sang the praises of God, it is quite interesting to note what they specifically magnified about Him:

… He appointed singers unto the LORD, and that they should praise the beauty of holiness … (II Chronicles 20:21).

To demonstrate the beauty of His holiness, here is what they actually sang:

… Praise the Lord; for His mercy endures for ever (II Chronicles 20:21).

The religious system would lead us to believe that the holiness of God overflows with sternest severity, anger and wrath; but when the choir of Israel sang the praises of God’s holiness, they specifically sang about His enduring mercy. This is contrary to religious thinking.

The holiness of God actually overflows with kindness, compassion, love, gentleness and mercy! We learn this from the pages of the Scriptures themselves. We see this clearly within the context of our passage. God’s holiness is associated with divine mercy.

Let’s look at a few other passages, where we can clearly see the relationship between God’s holiness and His mercy.

For thus says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy … ‘I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth …’” (Isaiah 57:15-16).

I will not execute the fierceness of My anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of you … (Hosea 11:9).

Why would God not execute the fierceness of His anger? The verse tells us why: because He is not man, He is “the Holy One!”

We also can see the connection between the holiness of God and His mercy in the earthly life of the Lord Jesus Christ. The One “Who is holy” and “separate from sinners” was in Christ as “a friend of Publicans and sinners” (c.f. Hebrews 7:26; Matthew 11:19).

One telling passage about the true nature of holiness can be seen in the admonition of Paul, the apostle:

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (I Timothy 2:8).

Ultimately, wrath and holiness are not compatible in the mind of Paul (nor the mind of God!).

Here is another passage that sheds great light on the true character of holiness:

Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness … (Galatians 6:1).

Genuine spirituality and true holiness produce gentleness, kindness, love, compassion and mercy. The absence of these characteristics is a result of the lack of the holiness of God appropriated to the life of the believer. It is the false holiness of self-righteousness that produces the arrogance and conceit of haughtiness (i.e., a “better-than-thou” attitude).

The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves … (II Timothy 2:24-25).

In closing, we will recall that God’s holiness is predominantly connected with His Saviorhood! He is the compassionate and loving Savior because of His holiness … not in spite of it!

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior … (Isaiah 43:3).

This is the biblical view of the true and living God! He is Holy … and He is the Savior! Rejoice in Him! He is a wonderful God! His holiness is beautiful!

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
The Salvation of All
© 2005-2010

God’s grace is much more glorious and amazing than man recognizes. Religion hides the full accomplishments of the vast and successful cross-work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The work of salvation for mankind is full and complete. As ambassadors of Christ, we are only to proclaim its glorious message. Those who respond by God-given faith can enjoy their salvation in Christ now while here on earth.

Make no mistake about it. When I speak of salvation, I do not just speak of the potential of “salvation for all,” in the sense that it is only available for all men to have; but I speak freely of the surety of the “salvation of all” – that all will in reality enjoy the fullness of salvation, completely applied to them personally.

God in His goodness, grace and love, on the account of the cross-work of the Lord Jesus Christ, will eventually save all mankind; for God is “the Savior of all men” (I Timothy 4:10).

There are three different views of the destiny of the lost. These approaches can be termed as (1) “Eternal Conscious Torment,” (2) “Annihilation,” (3) “Universal Reconciliation.” All three have apparent scriptural support, but for every verse apparently supporting the first two views, there are many more verses that appear to support the latter.

According to theology, the majority of God’s creation will be hopelessly lost to Him. It teaches that God knowingly (with foreknowledge) created mankind, the majority of which He will eternally damn. However, this is out of character with the true God of the Scriptures.

Here are examples of verses that show the salvation of all mankind:

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing: and I will bless them who bless you, and curse him who curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3).

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before You (Psalm 22:27).

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever. He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities (Psalm 103:8-10).

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it (Isaiah 2:2).

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God (Luke 3:5-6).

That was the true Light [Jesus Christ], which lights every man who comes into the world (John 1:9).

The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, “Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

This is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world (John 4:42).

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto Me (John 12:32).

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21).

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous (Romans 5:17-19).

For as you in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for the ages. Amen (Romans 11:30-36).

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He has put all things under His feet. But when He said all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him Who put all things under Him, that God may be All in all (I Corinthians 15:21-28).

For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead … To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:14, 19).

That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him (Ephesians 1:10).

And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven (Colossians 1:20).

Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (I Timothy 2:6).

For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe (I Timothy 4:10).

And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (I John 2:2).

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:4).

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
The Salvation of All
© 2005-2010

The glorious gospel of Christ (II Corinthians 4:4).

The glorious gospel of the happy God (I Timothy 1:11).

If you listen to most people’s “gospel” it doesn’t really sound very much like “good news.” The various “gospels” that have been pawned off as from God have this darkened gloom of “turn or burn!”

Yet the simple fact is that the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is truly better “good news” than most could ever really imagine! It is far more glorious than religion would ever have us believe!

It was not until I finally broke all ties with the religious system that had bound my understanding that my heart was free to really enjoy and embrace the marvelous evangel. My prayer is that you too will be liberated to set aside traditional paradigms and enjoy the amazing riches of Christ’s finished cross-work!

It Is God’s Will that All Are Saved:

Who will have all to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and One mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (I Timothy 2:4-6).

God Accomplishes All that He Wills to Do:

But He is of one mind, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, even that He does (Job 23:13).

Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places (Psalms 135:5-6).

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure (Isaiah 46:10).

In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His Own will (Ephesians 1:11).

God Is Love:

God is love (I John 4:8).

How excellent is Your loving-kindness (Psalm 36:7).

But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins … (Ephesians 2:4-5).

But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared (Titus 3:4).

God is love (I John 4:16).

We Have the Assurance of God that Love Never Fails:

Love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8).

“Fail” is the translation of ekpipto, meaning “to drop away; specially, be driven out of one’s course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient” (Strong’s Greek Lexicon). It is also translated in the King James Version as – “hath taken none effect” (Romans 9:6). God’s love will never fail to reach its goal.

All Creation Shall Be Freed from the Bondage of Vanity and Corruption:

For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope, because the creation also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now (Romans 8:19-22).

All of the Lord’s Works Shall Praise Him, and He Will Raise up All Who Are Bowed down:

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall praise You, O Lord; and Your saints shall bless You … The Lord upholds all that fall, and raises up all those that are bowed down (Psalms 145:8-10, 14).

All Shall Bow down:

Look unto Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (Isaiah 45:22-23).

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).

This Confession Is the Work of God’s Spirit:

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:3).

Therefore, Every Creature Will Praise the Lord:

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, ‘Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him Who sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for the ages of the ages’ (Revelation 5:13).

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
The Salvation of All
© 2005-2010

Another foundational principle from God’s Word that will guide our hearts to peace, even as we experience life’s great trials, can be found in Isaiah 45:7:

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

God does “all these things,” including the creation of “evil.” We must never forget that everything is about God. Nothing comes into our lives that is not from His hands. He has never lost control of any aspect of His universe. He is the “All in all” (I Corinthians 15:28).

We can see this all the way back in the Garden of Eden. Nothing there took Him by surprise. It all worked together for His purpose. God did not start playing “catch-up” with man’s rebellion. God always has been in the lead. After all, it was God Himself Who planted a garden with two trees; one tree of Life was His creation, and the other tree of Good and Evil was His creation too.

Note so very carefully that “good” and “evil” come from the exact same tree! They both are of divine origin! Adam and Eve looked to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, while missing the Tree of Life. If we focus on “good” or “evil” we, too, will miss “life.” Divine Life stands apart from good and evil. It is from an entirely different tree!

God created “evil” as a part of His divine plan. It did not “sneak” into His creation; it wasn’t brought into His creation by some other means or creature. He put it there – right in the “midst” (Genesis 2:9). It is at the root of His plan of being “All in all.” As with Pharaoh, “for this cause have I raised you up.” It is truly all about Him!

The “Christian Life” has nothing to do with the human performance of “good” or “evil.” It is rather about the enjoyment of His “Life” living in us, in the “midst” of “good and evil.”

“I the Lord do all these things” can change the way we look at all things, for,

All things are of God (II Corinthians 5:18).

As with the Joseph (“God meant it for good”), it is vital for us to understand that Father has His hands in everything that comes our way. He actively operates in and through every situation. As one reader, Frank Kujawa, writes,

Whatever is said to us, or done to us, is actually being done by God. We can grow with this information. Others (actually God) come into our lives in order to purify us, to make us stronger. This means that whoever is bugging us the most, is exactly the one we need at the time, and we are to thank God for it … So, we see God in all things … And we cannot judge, because in essence we are judging God. And who are we to do that?

We must embrace the fact that Father has a plan, and that He is in absolute control; after all, He is God.

Rest in that.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Daily Email Goodies
© 2010

Another foundational principle from the Scriptures that will lead our hearts to peace in the middle of life’s greatest trials can be found in Genesis 50:20:

God meant it unto good.

God’s hand in our lives leaves no place untouched. Even that which seemingly is working against us is used by our Father to fulfill His Own good purpose in our lives.

A powerful example of this is demonstrated in the life of Joseph. His brothers had sold him into slavery. In what would appear to many as a very sad and unfortunate turn of events, Joseph saw a divine appointment: “God meant it for good.”

But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Do not be discouraged in our severest of trials. Trust God’s steady, unfailing hand in all that we experience – in the “good” as well as in the “evil.” The knowledge that “God meant it for good” can settle the tired heart and bring peace to the worried mind.

And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Father has a plan, He is in control. Rest in that.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Daily Email Goodies
© 2010

Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward (Job 5:7).

Life is hard. It is hard by design. It is hard by the design of God.

Living the divine-life is about trusting God’s hand in all that we experience – in the “good” as well as in the “bad.” It is about the full confidence of His Godhood and His abundant love for us.

In the next few days we will think of a few foundational principles from the Scriptures that lead our hearts to peace in the middle of life’s greatest trials.

First, there is the law of circularity from Romans 11:36:

Out of Him and through Him and for Him is all: to Him be the glory for the eons! Amen! (Concordant Literal Translation)

Here is the simple, glorious truth of this verse in a nutshell:

All is out of God.

All is through God.

All is for God.

The knowledge that all is out of God, that all is through God, and that all is for God can settle the weary heart and bring peace to the troubled mind. Father is in control. Rest in that.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Daily Email Goodies
© 2010

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent: because He has appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man Whom He has ordained; whereof He has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead (Acts 17:30-31).

Repentance

… God … now commands all men every where to repent …

The Pauline call to “repentance” is the call to rethink everything we think we know in light of the truth of God. It is the call to accept the divine viewpoint over human viewpoint – a radical change of mind.

The word “repent” in this passage is Strong’s Greek Lexicon #3340 metanoeo, meaning “to think differently … i.e., reconsider.”

The word repent, from the Greek word metanoia, actually means a change of mind – a radical revision and transformation of our whole mental process … receiving a new mind. – Jim Palmer, Wide Open Spaces (2007), p. 75.

The word “commands” is Strong’s Greek Lexicon #3853 paraggello, meaning “to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin.” Noah Webster says of enjoin:

As a parent enjoins on his children the duty of obedience. – American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.

In the context of Paul’s words here, he is telling his hearers that their Father is enjoining them to have a change of mind about Him! Surely the words of Paul to the Athenians constituted a completely different way of thinking! This repentance was not just needed for the men on Mars’ Hill. I suggest that even for those who think we know our Bible today, we are finding that we too, are in many ways worshipping a God that we do not know very well, that we have been quite ignorant of Him ourselves.

Worldwide Righteousness

… Judge the world in righteousness …

We are often led to think of the word “judge” as a term of condemnation. The word “judge” here is Strong’s Greek Lexicon #2919 krino, meaning “to distinguish, i.e., decide.” The fact is that the word for “judge” simply means to “rule.” It is the same Greek word translated “judging” in Matthew 19:28, where the Twelve Apostles will sit on twelve thrones “judging” (ruling; governing) the Twelve tribes of Israel. It is just in the same manner that Old Testament Israel had “Judges” in the past as their national leaders.

For now, “the whole world lies in wickedness (I John 5:19); but,

He has appointed a day, in the which He will judge [govern] the world in righteousness by that Man [the Lord Jesus Christ] Whom He has ordained; whereof He has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead (Acts 17:31).

Faith to All Men

… He has given assurance unto all men …

The word “assurance” here is so translated only twice in the King James Version from the Greek word pistis; but it is translated 241 times as “faith.”

Thus, the Concordant Version translates it as,

Tendering faith to all.

William Tyndale translated it,

… faith to all men …

God has “given faith unto all men” – “according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). It is the blindness of ignorance that keeps this faith from embracing the true nature of its Father. One day, the ignorance will be completely dispelled and this “faith” will “repent” (think differently), so,

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).

What a message of hope. What a message of confident assurance. Paul’s message on Mars’ Hill faithfully represents the glorious good news given to him for all mankind of God’s work in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, committed to Paul the Apostle, is truly better good news than any of us could ever have imagined! It is far more glorious than religion would ever have us believe!

God’s sovereign purpose of the ages will not be complete until His full creative bounty is restored so that He is,

All in all (I Corinthians 15:28).

I trust that you will be at liberty to set aside religious paradigms and enjoy the amazing riches of Christ’s finished cross-work!

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Bible Student’s Notebook
© 2009, 2010

For we are also His offspring.

As we have already noted, the words of Paul spoken at Mars’ Hill were not addressed to believers, but to pagan unbelievers.

Can we believe that Paul would say that these pagans were God’s offspring? Many Christians would not bat an eye if Paul had said this of saints; but for him to quote a pagan poet, and then verify that in truth “we” – again Paul grouping himself with the pagans – are all the offspring of God, is absolutely astounding.

As certain also of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God …

Paul’s point is unmistakable. The word “offspring” here is also translated in the King James Version as “kindred” (Acts 4:6; 7:19), “of the stock” (Acts 13:26; Philippians 3:5), and “born” (Acts 18:2, 24).

Just think of it! “The offspring of God.”

Could we even have fathomed such a worldwide declaration as “we are the offspring of God”?

Following the King James translational suit, we have,

we are the offspring of God

we are the kindred of God

we are of the stock of God

we are the born of God

“Offspring” is the Greek word genos. Noah Webster gives the definition of “offspring” as “generation.” He gives the etymological meaning of “father” as “genitor.” My father was Clyde L. Pilkington, Sr., his father (Richard Pilkington) was also my father (my grand-father), and so on – all the way back to Adam, whose Father was God (who then is also my Father).

Who was the son of Enos, who was the son of Seth, who was the son of Adam, who was the son of God (Luke 3:38).

God is the Father of all, because He is the Creator – the Genitor – of all!

Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10).

God is the “The God of the spirits of all flesh” (Numbers 16:22; c.f. Hebrews 12:9). He is the Father of all because He is God,

One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:6).

Let’s have the courage of faith, then, that we, too, along with Paul, can tell those whom we meet that they belong to God, that they are His children, and that He – in truth – IS their Father. The truth of this would also surely do away with all manner of division and hostility in the heart of the believer.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Bible Student’s Notebook
© 2009, 2010

[God] has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has 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 is 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” (Acts 17:26-28).

In our last segment we learned that God does not dwell in temples. The reason that there is no need for man-made temples (or other places of worship) is because God is already near to all of us.

Now we will notice four significant points that Paul makes.

Kinship of Man

He … has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.

Paul taught that all men are of the same family – “of one blood.” The truth of this would do away with social and racial division and hostility in the heart of the believer.

Feeling After God

If haply they might feel after Him.

Some of our brands of Christianity could not appreciate these words of Paul. Men were designed and placed by God in a way that they “might feel after Him.”

Christianity-in-a-Box is often quick to discount the work of God in the lives of those outside of its own group-norm. God’s drawing of mankind is a lifelong – and even beyond that (in resurrection) – work. We must not be too quick to pass judgment on those, who in ignorance, nevertheless, “might feel after Him.”

Not Far from Everyone

Though He is not far from every one of us.

We would not have been surprised if we had read this spoken to the righteous, godly Ephesians; but this was not spoken to them. We don’t find this message recorded in the letter to the Ephesians, or to any other group of saints for that matter. No, this was spoken to lost, pagan Athenians!

We like to think of God as being very “near” to us (and our group), but so very “far” from them (and their group); but the fact is that Paul told the pagans of Athens that God was “not far from every one of us.”

Paul’s message was that God is near to “every one,” but that is not all. Paul did not say, “every one of you;” He said, “every one of us.” Paul placed himself – along with the Athenians – in the single, worldwide class “us” of mankind.

God is close to all of “us.” This is because,

God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself (II Corinthians 5:19).

The truth of this would do away with the “us” and “them” division and hostility in the heart of the believer.

We Live in Him

In Him we live, and move, and have our being.

Again, we would not have been surprised to have read this spoken to the Ephesians, but this too was spoken to unbelievers. One can hardly believe it, and we would not, if it were not from the very mouth of Paul, our apostle.

The simple fact is that all men are already in the presence of God; we live there! It is not some place that we “go”: it is some place that we simply “are.” He is where we – all of us – live and move and have our being.

What a wonderful thing it is to “live” in the Father. What an amazing thing it is to “move” in Him. What an astonishing thing it is to “have our being” in Him.

Each and every one of us has the privilege to live in the reality of this union with our Father – as each new day begins and unfolds. It is believers who live in the understanding of this glorious truth. What a blessed thing to be aware of our union with Him – enjoying constant communion with Him – heart to heart. This union is already fully ours, secured and maintained by His very Own nature.

What an impact upon our lives this is as we embrace it in simple faith.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Bible Student’s Notebook
© 2009, 2010

God Who 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 worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He gives to all life, and breath, and all things (Acts 17:24-25).

Paul told the Athenians that God does not dwell in man-made buildings. Why, this statement would manage to get most of Christendom stirred all out of sorts; but it’s true: God does not live in man-made structures of any kind – period.

Seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands.

Would Paul count our contemporary Christianity – with its proliferation of “Houses of God” and “Sanctuaries” – among the likes of the pagan temples of Athens? Are not these Christian “Houses of Worship” just as pagan, and as heathen as those of Athens? Would he speak the word of rebuke to us as well?

Yet there is really good news in all of this. God does not live in humanly devised architecture. We do not need to “go” somewhere to “meet” Him. For truly,

In Him we live, and move, and have our being (:28).

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Bible Student’s Notebook
© 2009, 2010