To the Unknown God

 Please read Acts 17:16-31

Taking portions from Acts 17, verses 26 and 27, we see two things: First, that God made of one flesh every nation, and Second, that God did this so that perchance they might grope for Him and find Him.

These two things beg two questions: First, how could they have a statue or an altar to an unknown God, and second, how can God be unknown?

After all, God created the heavens and the Earth. Without him, nothing would exist. Nothing would even exist apart from God, and yet He is an unknown God?

Romans chapter 1, verses 19 through 22, explains why humanity does not know God.

Romans 1:19-22 (NKJV) 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown [it] to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible [attributes] are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify [Him] as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

 

In Acts 17, Paul is in Athens, which was known for its philosophers. At the root of the word “philosopher” is the Greek word for “wisdom.” Paul was talking to those who gathered for the sake of wisdom. They spent their days debating in order to learn wisdom. They said of Paul, "Let’s see what this babbler has to say," because they wanted to judge for themselves, in their wisdom, whether what he was talking about was worth spending time exploring. 

Thinking and debating about different subjects is necessary, meaningful, and interesting. However, doing so is accompanied by a powerful temptation to be arrogant and conceited. This is what Romans 1:22 is talking about. “Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

People are no different today. For example, on social media, people debate and discuss whatever subject. Quite often, comments and answers are vicious and disrespectful. It seems that everyone considers themselves wise, and those who disagree are simpletons, ignorant, or stupid. Each one has THE answer, not just an answer but THE answer. Not everyone is like this, but a review of a sample of social media discussions is enough to see how people “Profess to be wise.”

God says people have become fools. Psalms 19:12 gives a little wisdom that should remind us to be humble when it says, “But who can discern their own errors?” Another way to look at this issue is Proverbs 15:5. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.”

We learn of the establishment of the nations in Genesis 6 through 12. Acts 17 refers to these events when it says God made all the nations from one blood. 

Genesis 6 through 12 also tells us about God establishing His covenants, i.e., the beginning of God's covenant with all the creatures on earth. Because people quickly forgot God, Genesis 11 and 12 tell how God set aside a man for Himself, establishing His covenant with Abraham.

Some look at this and say, "Oh, God is learning, so he is changing how He deals with people!" However, this is backward. God is not learning. He wants humanity to learn. He wants people to search for and find him. Look at what it says in Acts 17.

Acts 17:26-27 (NKJV) 26 “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.

God is not being cruel here. He wants us to be free. If we love him, it has to be our choice. If it’s not a choice, it’s not love. God will not force himself on an unwilling person. But God wants everyone to know him, so he has made it evident to everyone. But humanity does not learn. Even as this verse says, God is not far from each of us. 

An alter to the “Unknown God” establishes that there is a problem. How can the God who made everything and in whom we live, move, and have our being be unknown?

Romans 1:18 answers this question when it tells us that men “suppress” the truth. People quite literally choose to ignore the truth. How can this be? How can otherwise intelligent beings deny things clearly seen in what has been made?

This question is answered in Romans chapter 8, verse seven.

Romans 8:7 (NKJV) Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

This is humanity's natural state. People can do nothing about it, even if they want to. As Romans 8:7 says, a carnal (as in natural) mind cannot be subject to the law of God.

History has demonstrated this. The Bible examines the past, present, and future, showing us that no matter how God deals with people, the natural mind will always be enmity toward God.

God has taught us this lesson and continues to teach it. 

Very soon, a day will come when Jesus returns to earth. He will set up his kingdom for 1000 years. Satan and his henchman will not be allowed to pollute the Earth or deceive men for 1000 years. Then, at the end of 1000 years, after a perfect world and society have reigned on Earth, Satan will be released. Once again, he will deceive the nations, and literally, millions will rebel against God because even though they will have seen the glory of God, they will still rebel against Him. In this rebellion, God teaches once again. The lesson is that apart from Jesus Christ, there is no way for people to be saved. The fleshly, natural mind cannot be subject to the law of God. 

Each of us must ask God to show us the errors we cannot see. We must ask ourselves whether we know God or continue to be at enmity with Him.