Meeting an Unknown God

Consider

There are many religions in the world. People are almost universally looking for something to believe in, something to give them purpose, hope, and direction. Some people decide there is no God, there is no purpose, and there is no hope—that it’s up to them to create some kind of meaning in their lives. If morality is subjective, there’s no certain truth, and your own strength, love, and understanding are all that you can rely on, that existence is exhausting and futile.

Many people believe in false gods—empty idols that don’t love, don’t communicate, and don’t sacrifice for their patrons. They exist to be worshipped and obeyed without any certainty or affection. Those who follow these beliefs live in fear, always worried about the punishment that will come if they somehow displease their gods.

And then there are people who have accepted a variety of beliefs, picking and choosing from the options available to them until they’ve created a god to worship that looks very much like their own sense of divinity. That’s where the people of Athens were when Paul met them. They were devout in worship and sincerity but were grasping at anything. They even had an altar set up for the unknown god.

And then Paul told them what they were missing. For the first time, they were able to hear about a totally different God, one who created them, existed outside of any building or image, and one who had made a way for them to know Him.

For the first time, they heard the Gospel—a radically new teaching. This one true God offered them hope, purpose, and security in Him. No more searching, no more wondering, no more uncertainty or fear. Of course, for some of the people who heard the Good News, it was too different, too simple, too hard. But for those who believed, the Gospel would change everything.

Obey

Remember when you first heard the Gospel or when it sunk in for the first time? Tell someone the story and think about how you felt about what you were hearing.

Do you feel equipped to succinctly share the Gospel with someone who has never heard it? Practice out loud with a partner.

What makes Christianity different from other religions and beliefs? Spend some time in worship and prayer as you consider the gift that God has provided you through Jesus.