The Only True God

The world is filled with endless religions promoting innumerable gods. The natural man is certainly religious. He turns everything into something that can be worshiped. Behind every idol is a demon, a minion of the devil, who is the master of deception.

Satan’s desire and delight is to destroy the works of God (Jn 10:10). The evil one operates in the darkness; and men love the darkness because their deeds are evil (Jn 3:19). The god of this world blinds the minds of people to prevent them from seeing the Light of the world, the Light of truth (Jn 8:12; 2 Cor 4:4).

In the realm of religion, the father of lies sends forth false prophets and false teachers (Jn 8:44; 2 Pet 2:1). Their purpose in coming is to deceive people about the one and only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (Jer 10:10; Jn 3:33; 17:3). No lie is of the truth; therefore, a man must know the truth that sets him free from the unhindered influence of the prince of the power of the air (Jn 8:32, 36; Eph 2:2).

We must begin by asking pertinent questions. Who is deceived? Who is delivered from deception? How does one receive the truth? Which God is true? How does one know he or she has the knowledge of the one true God?

First, it is the devil’s work to deceive all of humanity. In Adam, all die as a consequence of sin (Rom 6:23; 1 Cor 15:22). Sinners sin; and all have sinned (rom 3:23; 5:12). The god of this world blinds the minds of people into thinking sin is not a death sentence. People perish for a lack of knowledge (Job 36:12).

Second, knowing God is our salvation (Jn 17:3). God’s chosen people know God by the revelation of Jesus Christ, who is Himself revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth by teaching us God’s Word, the Holy Bible (Jn 14:26; 16:13). God is true (Rom 3:4); and Jesus Christ is the truth (Jn 14:6). The Word of God is the Light of God in the domain of darkness (Ps 119:105; Col 1:13). It is the truth in an ocean of lies. It is life from the dead; and those who are made alive, spiritually, are those delivered from deception (1 Cor 15:22; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13).

Third, the receipt of truth is the work of the Holy Spirit in those He has caused to be born again of God. The Spirit of truth illumines the Word of truth in those to whom He is sent (Eph 1:18). Just as Jesus was sent into the world (Jn 3:16; 17:3), so it is God the Father and God the Son who send the Spirit to baptize God’s elect, redeemed people into Christ (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 14:26; 15:26; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Cor 12:13). As many as received Christ, by His Spirit, are given the right to be called “children of God” (Jn 1:12–13; 1 Jn 3:1, 10). It is Jesus Christ who gives this eternal life (Jn 17:2).

Fourth, it is imperative to have the right God among the pantheon of gods. It was revealed by God to the Jews that there is only one God (Dt 6:4). Jesus Himself was clear that there is only one true God, in His high priestly prayer in John 17:3. Jesus called this one, true, and living God, “Father.” This is Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Finally, it is crucial that we know God who is true because the consequence of having the wrong God has eternal ramifications. The assurance every believer receives is promised in the Bible. Our salvation is never dependent upon the will nor the work of man.

We learn from the Bible that our God is living and personal. In fact, we know that God is one; but in three Persons: Father; Son; and Spirit. As such, Christians speak or write of the person of God; but the context reveals which one of the persons is in view.

Our God is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, Himself being eternal (Dt 33:27; Is 9:6; Rom 16:26; Col 1:16–17; 1 Tim 1:17; Heb 1:2). He sustains all things by the Word of His power (Heb 1:3). In the eternal counsel of our Triune God all things were decreed that will come to pass. Thus, we know the will of God, that is, the predetermined plan of God, by everything that transpires through history (Acts 2:23; Eph 3:11).

Our God is the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth (Ps 115:3; 135:6), who rules and reigns over all (Ex 15:18; 146:10). Because He is all-wise and omnipotent, nothing can frustrate the will and purpose of God, who does everything to perfection. This includes His judgments being perfectly just (Gen 18:25; Jn 5:22; Rev 11:15).

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Ps 24:1); therefore, everything is subject to Him who sits in the heavens and does as He pleases. The Lord God is ever-present everywhere and at all times; therefore, everything is known to Him. As it pertains to our salvation, the Lord knows those who are His (2 Tim 2:19).

Having been created in His image, man was made to glorify God (Gen 1:27). In the fall of man (Gen 3), the desire to praise and worship the only true God was lost. This is the reason Christians bear witness to God our Savior, His Person and His work. In Christ, we are repositioned to once again bring acceptable worship to Yahweh.

Our God and Savior is mighty to save (Is 63:1). He Himself is our salvation (Ps 118:14; Is 12:2). We delight in what our God has done; and our boast is in Him, alone (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14). Now we know God the Father because Jesus, the God-man reveals Him (Mt 11:27; Lk 10:22; Jn 1:1; 1:14). Likewise, we know Jesus, the only begotten Son of God (Ps 2:7; Jn 1:18; 3:16), by His being revealed to us by the Holy Spirit (Jn 5:39; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21). Knowing God is a gracious gift of God to His people, through the Holy Spirit, and by His grace. This is eternal life that we may know the Father and the Son and the Spirit.

We must be reminded that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us (Gal 1:15–16), but not to everyone (Jn 6:44; 2 Thess 3:2). Therefore, we do not neglect the illuminations we receive from the Spirit showing us the truth of God’s Word. The knowledge of God and of Christ is priceless. It should be pursued with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.

My dear reader, learn Christ and you will know God…the only true God. He who has chosen and called His people from every nation, and bids you to come to eternal life. May He richly bless you with more of Himself, for His glory and for your delight.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

November 5, 2024

John 17:2–3