Bold explorations of outer space and stunning pictures transmitted back to earth have created new levels of wonder at the marvels of the universe. As current as this interest might be, it is certainly not new. Long ago, as David, a young shepherd, lifted his eyes and scanned the starry sky, he was awestruck with the Creator of it all, and wondered why such a great God was involved in the affairs of men (Psalm 8:3-4). Our amazing universe should motivate us to consider our relationship with God, the Creator.
The Lord Jesus Christ tells of a man who tried to adjust his relationship with Almighty God, but did it too late. Luke 16 depicts a person totally captivated by the good things in his life. His relationship with God was secondary, and his preparation to meet God was inadequate. The Lord Jesus described the man in Hell: “He lifted up his eyes,” but it was to plead for mercy. The final words to this desperate man denied him access into God’s presence forever.
Our acceptance by God hinges on a definite, personal relationship with Him. Sin precludes a relationship with God. Because of sin, we fail to know and appreciate God – to truly love Him with heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).
Yet God loves us so much that He gave His own Son “that we should not perish” (John 3:16). Picture the Lord Jesus Christ hours from the cross, with His focus heavenward! “He lifted up His eyes” and prayed that we might know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ” (John 17:3). This experience of knowing God and His Son could only happen through the death and willing sacrifice of the Lord Jesus in payment for our sin.
The onus then is clearly on us. We can live without knowing Him, or we can lift our eyes away from life’s possibilities and problems to give this relationship with God our undivided attention. Life’s uncertainties demand the latter, but what is required?
Our approach to God must be through the “one mediator between God and men, the Man, Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Our condition must be one of true repentance – an honest acknowledgment of our sin.
We must lift our eyes in faith to grasp the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins. Only the actual acceptance of God’s free offer of forgiveness will establish that intimate relationship with God that is precious in life and essential in eternity.
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