To Make Him Known

God has made Himself known by the things He has created (Rom 1:19). His revelation does not stop there. He initiated a relationship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; but He did not reveal His name to them (Ex 6:3). Later, God spoke to the prophets through dreams and visions (Num 12:6; 1 Sam 28:15). He spoke to Israel’s kings through the prophets and dreams (1 Sam 28:15; 1 Chron 17:4). He revealed His covenant with its promises to Abraham (Gen 12, 15), David (2 Sam 7; 1 Chron 17), and Moses (Dt 27–28). The Lord has made these things known from long ago (Acts 15:18); but in these last days, He has spoken to us in His Son (Heb 1:2). What things has He made known?

God, by making Himself known, also made known the sinfulness of man (Job 13:23; Mic 3:8). He revealed Himself through His judgments against the nations (Ezek 38:22–23; 39:6), and even against Israel (Ezek 35:11; 39:7). He is known by His wrath against sinners (Rom 9:22), and His mercy toward the ungodly (Rom 5:6; 9:23). Despite the vast chasm of separation between God and man, God graciously made known the path of life (Ps 16:11; Jn 14:6). God saved Israel for the sake of His name and so that all people might know of His power to deliver (Ps 106:8). Still, wisdom must come by God’s Spirit and God’s Word to the naïve, the scoffers, and the fools who hate knowledge (Prov 1:20–22).

We have the prophets and the apostles who have made Him known (Is 21:20), and who were burdened with His Word of revelation (Is 64:2; Jer 20:9), to warn the people (Ezek 16:2) and give them hope (Jer 29:11). It must be known that it is God who revives His work when His servants ferhoodle their priorities (Hab 3:2). Let us try to avoid this by investigating some things the Bible teaches us to make known.

First, we are to make known the statutes of God (Ex 18:16, 20). We are to make them known to our children and grandchildren (Dt 4:9). God reveals His holiness and our sinfulness by the revelation of His Law. He gave us the moral law (Ex 20; Dt 5:6–21), and He gave Israel 613 laws to guide them in their approach to God through sacrifice and right living (Genesis to Deuteronomy).

Although we can learn much from the typology of Old Testament laws given to Israel, we must see them fulfilled by Christ Jesus keeping and fulfilling the law of Moses. The moral law, God’s Law, remains for us to observe, but the law of Moses has been made obsolete (Heb 8:13), for it perfected nothing (Heb 7:19). The Law is good, holy, righteous (Rom 7:12), and spiritual (Rom 7:14). It should be taught to our children so they may fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl 12:13). It is written on the hearts of those who have God’s Spirit living in them (Jer 31:33) and who causes us to walk in His statutes (Ezek 36:27).

Second, we are to make known His deeds among the peoples (1 Chron 16:8; Ps 105:1; Is 12:4). God is the Creator of the heavens and earth (Col 1:16). He is the builder and architect of everything that has been made (Heb 11:10). God is the Lawgiver, the Judge, and the Savior of His people. He is the destroyer of the wicked and the earth (2 Pet 3:10–12). God is the restorer of His fallen people, and the Maker of the new heavens and the new earth (Is 65–66; Rev 21–22). We must proclaim His excellencies to all nations so that they might know there is a God in Israel, who is the Lord over all (Acts 10:36; Eph 4:6).

Third, we are to make known His faithfulness to all generations (Ps 89:1). As we pass the knowledge of God in Christ to every generation of our families, we must emphasize that God is faithful and true (1 Cor 1:9; 10:13; 2 Cor 1:18; Rev 19:11). He is faithful to keep His covenant (Dt 7:9). God is faithful to Israel (Ps 98:3), even when Israel is not faithful to Him (Hos 11:12). He is to be praised for His faithfulness (Is 25:1), for His faithfulness cannot be thwarted (Rom 3:3). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is our faithful high priest (Heb 2:17). God’s words are faithful and true (Rev 22:6), and the Holy Spirit is manifesting the faithfulness of God in and through us (Gal 5:22). We should be faithful to Him, for He is faithful to us.

Fourth, godly people speak of the glory of God’s kingdom and talk of its power to the sons of men (Ps 145:11–12), even to all nations (Is 19:21). The kingdom of God has been revealed from heaven and has set itself up against the kingdom of this world. Sinful men speak of kings and kingdoms, empires, and dynasties in the world. Jesus claimed His kingdom was not of this world (Jn 18:36). We speak of Christ our King (Col 1:13; Heb 7:1; Rev 11:15), who Himself is not of this world (Jn 8:23), and therefore, we should not be conformed to this world (Rom 12:2).

We manifest the kingdom of God in the Spirit through righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom 14:17). We tell forth of our King’s return (1 Cor 11:26), and of the kingdom of God that is forever (Rev 11:15). The kingdom of heaven remains at hand, for the Spirit of the King is in and among us. We speak of our homeland (Heb 12:22), for we, too, are not of this world, for our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, Christ Jesus, the Lord (Phil 3:20). While we wait, we will speak of these things.

Fifth, we are to make people remember that God’s name is exalted (Is 12:4; Mal 1:11) so that all may tremble at His presence (Is 64:2). Jesus was faithful to make Yahweh’s name known (Jn 17:26), and God has given Jesus the name above every other name (Phil 2:9), for He is exalted above everything in heaven and earth (Ps 148:13; Eph 1:20–22). Men should praise the name of God and Christ (Ps 113:1); therefore, we call them to magnify His name with us (Neh 9:5; Ps 34:3). We love His name (Heb 6:10), and our labor to make His name great among the nations is a labor of love (1 Thess 1:3).

Sixth, we make known the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all (1 Cor 15:1; Eph 6:19). Paul encouraged the Colossians, “God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).” The indwelling Holy Spirit has given us power to bear witness (Acts 1:8) to the Gospel of our salvation, who is Christ the Lord. We proclaim Him (Col 1:28). We preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2), for this is the good news for those who repent and believe unto salvation. We are approved workmen (2 Tim 2:15), and not ashamed (Rom 1:16).

Seventh, we are to make known to others the grace of God given to others (2 Cor 8:1). Grace has saved us (Eph 2:8–9), and we boast only in the God of our salvation (2 Cor 10:17). Grace abounds from Him toward sinners, in a profound demonstration of His love for His church (Rom 5:8). We are preachers of law and grace, for we make known His holiness, His judgments, and then His mercy.

God is merciful and gracious to all who humbly come to Him through Christ Jesus. He imparts to them the riches of His glory and His grace; and they, with this incomparable treasure in earthen vessels, speak of grace upon grace. To know Christ and the power of His resurrection is the wisdom of God granted to those who call upon Him (Joel 2:32; Rom 10:13) with faith provided for them (Phil 1:29; 2 Pet 1:1). These are the redeemed and regenerated souls who walk by grace (Ps 84:11). They love Him, for He was gracious and first loved them (1 Jn 4:19).

Eighth, we are made known by the fruit produced in us and through us (Mt 12:33). When God reveals Himself to His chosen people (Eph 1:4–5), He allows them the privilege of identifying themselves with Christ (Rom 6). They join in His joy and His sufferings (1 Pet; Jam 1:3). They follow Him. They walk with Him. They pick up their Cross and die daily. They think nothing of losing their life for His name, for He has granted them eternal life (1 Jn 5:12). His abundant life has become their lives, and they cannot deny Him.

Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:11), and He has sent His Holy Spirit into their hearts (2 Cor 5:5). They call God their Father (Rom 8:15). They seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Mt 6:33). They walk by the power of the Spirit (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:16)), praying in the Spirit, and preaching with all boldness as they ought to. They look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith (Heb 12:2), who is seated on the throne of God in heaven (Ps 110:1). They set their affections on the things above (Col 3:2), where Christ rules with all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18; Rev 7:17). You will know them by their fruit (Gal 5:22–23), produced by the life of the Spirit flowing from Christ above. He is the true vine, and they are His branches (Jn 15).

In summary, we have a commission to teach all nations to obey Christ (Mt 28:19–20). It is our privilege and responsibility to make His name, His Law, His works, His faithfulness, His kingdom, His Gospel, and His grace known to others.

In conclusion, here is the Christian life of true discipleship. He has made us a royal priesthood, who prays and preaches for His glory. We know Him who is true, therefore, we must make Him known. He is worthy.

David E. Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

January 27, 2021