“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God.”
(1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
Apologetics is a branch of theology that seeks to defend the validity of the Christian faith from attacks and questions. There are a number of questions or problems that are posed to those who are engaged in this field. One of the problems is called the hiddenness of God question. The question goes something like this, “If God is real, why is he not more obvious rather than hidden, as he seems to be?” Philosophers and apologists expend vast amounts of time and energy answering this question. But, in reality, the question is moot. God is not hidden. The Bible informs us that people, in fact, know God but suppress the truth in their unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-20). We also learn that Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). The reality is that God makes himself known. He reveals himself. People choose not to see him.
There are two types of divine revelation. The first is called General Revelation, which says that God reveals himself to all people at all times in a general non-saving way. The second type of divine revelation is called Special Revelation, which is found in holy Scripture and is sufficient for salvation and godliness. In the plan of God, the Holy Spirit is the agent of revelation. He makes God known. The Spirit does this in a variety of ways in the course of a person’s day and in the course of a person’s life. He is infinitely wise and totally sovereign. What we know about God is the work of the Holy Spirit.
The main way the Holy Spirit brings the revelation of God is through the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit illuminates the minds and hearts of people who seek God in the Bible. The problem is that most people don’t seek God in truth (Romans 3:11). Many people are religious but may not truly seek God. For those who do, he will be found. As Jeremiah tells us in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
People who seek God with all their hearts are gripped with the reality of God and must find him and know him. It is not an option. God is in their thinking much of the time. They are hungry people searching for a few crumbs. They are thirsty people seeking a few drops of water. When they find the truth of God in Scripture by the Holy Spirit, they drink it down and gobble it up. They want to go deep with God. No obstacle can deter them for long. Superficial surface religion is just not satisfying.
The relentless pursuit of God is the passion to know him and live in his truth. This passion to know him is rooted in our love for him. We love him because he first loved us and sent his Son as a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins (1 John 4:10). We know that our relationship with God is not something we have because we are worthy, but because of his grace. God’s amazing sacrificing love is the gravitational force that draws us to Himself. We want to know more about this God. We want to know this God personally.
When we go deep with God, it changes our lives. We not only know him more and more, but we desire to serve him more and more. The old things and lifestyles that used to attract us no longer hold their sway over us. Obedience to the God we love is of primary importance. We may fail from time to time in our pursuit of living a godly life, but we persevere and continue growing in Christ. The person and purpose of God are our focus.
Going deep with God is not just for super Christians. There are no super Christians. Going deep with God is for every believer in Jesus Christ. We can ask ourselves, “What defines my life?” And “What drives my life?” These are critical questions. They determine the direction of our lives and what we’re all about. How do you answer these questions? What is your life all about? Do you have a burning desire to go deep with God? If not, you can turn to him now. He loves you and wants you to pursue him for your good and his glory. If you’re a believer in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in you. He is there to help you in your relationship with God and in your Christian walk. He is there to fan into flames your love for God. Whatever seems impossible in life is possible with God, with those who will go deep with God.