When I was a kid, my parents had a relic of a TV. With its unsightly box and tiny 13 inch screen, I was certain that it was the first TV ever made. Not only was the picture in grainy black and white, this fossil only had four channels. And changing the channel resulted in a sickening “k-thhhunk” (a process that required needle-nose pliers since this poor veteran lost its knob during the war).
Trying to watch a program on this ancient machine was always an aerobic exercise, since an adjustment to the antenna was needed every few seconds. Once the antenna was set, however, it was indeed possible to watch a program. You could actually understand the plot of a movie or follow the progression of a ballgame. But even back then, at a time when “1080p” was meaningless, we were fully aware that this tiny TV did not deliver a realistic viewing experience.
Recently, I received one of those “1080p” TV’s. I’d seen glimpses of high definition in the stores, and friends had tried to tell me of the glories of “HD,” but until I saw it for myself, I had no concept of just how much clearer the picture could be. Suddenly, all the actors seem a little older as more wrinkles come into view. And if I ever had the desire, I could now count the blades of grass during a slow football game.
But even the most incredible TVs still lack the all-encompassing sensation provided by actually being there. For example, no TV, no matter how many combinations of letters and numbers are stickered to it at the store, can match the experience of attending an actually football game. The overwhelming sound engulfs you, the sight overwhelms you, the smells intrigue you, and the taste disappoints you (I paid $17 for stale nachos?!). No matter how good TVs get, nothing will compare to actually being at the game.
Whether we realize it or not, every one of us are given an opportunity to know about God. By looking at what He created, we can see the results of His power, His ingenuity, and His creativity. By recognizing the perfect balance necessary to sustain life, we can see His grace at work. Romans 1:20 reminds us that “His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made.” But if all we know of God comes from His creation, then our understanding of Him will be severely limited – like watching a game on an antiquated 13” black and white TV.
What is more, such limited knowledge of God does not bring with it any hope of redemption. Instead, as the last part of verse 20 tells us, it removes any excuse. Knowledge about God cannot make us right with God. A different knowledge is desperately needed.
Enter Jesus – fully human and yet fully God. (No, I don’t understand how that’s possible, either…) Jesus provided a way for us to actually know God, not just know about Him. As a result, we gain a vastly better understanding of who God is – like watching a game on a modern high-definition TV. Unfortunately, like the TV, there is really no meaningful way to fully explain the difference. You have to see with your own eyes; you must experience His grace for yourself.
But when we take that step, place our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, and enter into a relationship with God Himself, the result is absolutely jaw-dropping. Suddenly we see God’s hand at work in ways we’ve never realized. Suddenly we recognize that He loves us far more than we could understand. Suddenly we gain a better understanding of who we were meant to be. 2 Corinthians 3:18 puts it this way:
We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.
There simply are not enough words to even begin to describe the glorious transformation that occurs when we know God personally.
And yet, the best is still to come. If we know God, if we believe that Jesus is His Son and accept Him as our Lord (or master) and Savior, then we can trust that this world is not our true home. We have the incredible hope of actually seeing God face to face – like actually attending the game (no TV necessary!). 1 Corinthians 13:12 says,
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Can you imagine it? Seeing God face to face – seeing that which is infinite – seeing the hands that created the universe – seeing the majesty of the King of Kings – seeing the scars that purchased my redemption and paid for my ticket to heaven… Even then I doubt that we’ll be able to fully know or comprehend how great and glorious He really is.
No one these days would ever choose to watch a sad little black and white 13” TV when a massive HD screen was freely available. Look around. You know God is real. You can see His handiwork. But please don’t be content with that limited knowledge. Instead, I pray that you will accept His free gift and get to know God personally. Not just for this life, but for the next as well.
Soli Deo Gloria
Tim Cotten