The search for God.

I would like to present to you the criteria that I took into account when looking, and I will also state the reasons why I finally chose the God of the Bible.

Principle no. 1: Seek a god who is greater than we humans

There is no doubt that humanity has made great strides in recent years. Thanks to advanced technology, we can live longer than our ancestors, fly at supersonic speeds, and be anywhere in the world with a single tap of a computer key. But while we are making progress in some ways, we seem to be falling behind in many others. The number of violent crimes, divorces, and teenage suicides are still increasing. Thousands of people become infected with HIV every day. Hundreds of millions of people are experiencing chronic hunger.

Unfortunately, this list could go on. If we humans are god, then we don’t seem to be doing too well. So wouldn’t it be better to have a god who is bigger than humanity and who can take us further than we can go on our own?

The God described in the Bible is just that. He claims to be the Creator of the universe – a transcendent, omniscient, omnipotent being who has always existed and who also sustains everything. “I created the earth and created man on it. I stretched out the heavens with my own hands and gave orders to all their armies.” ¹ “I am God, and there is no other God, and there is no one like me.” ²

Principle no. 2: Look for a god you can get to know personally

Nowadays it is popular to think of god as some kind of energy or all-pervading force that is present in all things. But what is so appealing about something that is impersonal, distant, and virtually unknowable? For example, wouldn’t it be better to have a god who is more like father or mother, sibling or friend? As someone you can talk to, who shares your difficulties, who will guide you and with whom you will live your life?

The God of the Bible is unimaginably great and “different”, yet it is possible to know him. Even though he is not visible, we can talk to him, ask him, and listen to him, and he will give us answers and guidance for our lives.

A person can have the same relationship with God as with a close family member. God calls those who know him his children, his bride, his friends. He is not impersonal. We can know more than facts about him, for we can know him intimately as our best friend. “And eternal life consists in knowing you, the only true God, and the one you sent, Jesus Christ.” ²

Principle no. 3: Seek a god who understands human life

Some imagine a god as distant—as someone who created the universe but then left it to function on its own. But wouldn’t it be better if he were involved in everything that happens on Earth? Wouldn’t it be better if he could understand our problems and worries and know what life is like in this unkind world?

The God of the Bible knows what it means to be one of us. Jesus Christ was not only the Son of God, but also God who took on human form and human nature. “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh [man] and dwelt among us.” ⁴

The Bible says about God’s Son: “The Son is the brightness of God’s glory and the image of his substance.” ⁵ He is “the image of the invisible God.” ⁶ He is “the Mighty God, the Eternal Father,” ⁷ who “took upon himself the form of a servant and became one of men.” ⁸ “In him the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.” ⁹ And “in him everything was created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.” ¹⁰ Jesus directly declared about himself: “I and the Father are one.” ¹¹

Jesus was fully God, but at the same time he was also fully human. He was born into a poor family, was not physically attractive, met with prejudice and hatred, was not understood even by his family and friends, and was ultimately unjustly executed. He was hungry and in pain, he slept, he ate, he cried. He survived all possible physical difficulties that we also struggle with. That is why the Bible says that Jesus is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses…(He) was tempted in all things, but did not commit sin.” ¹²

Principle no. 4: Look for a god who really cares about you and likes you

Most of the things we do are motivated by our desire to be loved and accepted. We want people to be genuinely interested in us and not just give us superficial attention. And we want concrete deeds to stand behind their interest. Doesn’t the same apply to God? In other words: Wouldn’t it be best if he really cared about us and also showed it to us in some tangible way?

The biblical God is really interested in us. The Bible directly says that “God is love.” ¹³ But these could only be empty words if they were not supported by deeds. But he proved how much he cares for us…

“God’s love for us was manifested in the fact that God sent his only begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through him. Love is that we did not love God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” ¹⁴

Since a perfect God cannot have a relationship with imperfect, sinful people, Jesus essentially died for us, in our place, so that we could be cleansed before God: “We all went astray like sheep, each one went his own way, but the Lord laid iniquities on [Jesus] all of us.” ¹⁵

God cared so much about us that He sent His Son to die in our place. Now we can experience complete forgiveness and establish an unlimited relationship with Him.

Principle no. 5: Look for a God who is in control

Don’t all the bad things that happen in the world prove that there is simply no such thing as an all-powerful god? It doesn’t have to be that way. Even a perfect god can sometimes allow bad things to happen as part of some higher purpose.

The God of the Bible is just like that. He claims that nothing on earth happens without his permission. However, this does not mean that he likes everything that is happening . He has clearly stated that some things are bad, some things make him sad. For some reason he allows these things to happen – perhaps because these bad things are part of the free will we have as human beings. And if we are not to be mere puppets in God’s hands, God fully respects our free will (and allows us to hurt others, even if it does).

However, the God of the Bible has a plan and he will not stop until that plan is fulfilled. What is this plan? God’s ultimate goal is to dwell with people in a completely different environment than the one we live in today. Of this future world he says: “God shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people; he himself, their God, will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no crying, and no more pain, because what was before has passed away. Behold, I make all things new.” ¹⁶

Principle no. 6: Look for a god who will give meaning to your life

Think of an important task or project you had to do. When you finished it, you probably felt the satisfaction of a job well done. Would you like the same to be said about your whole life? To make any sense? I don’t know about you, but I want my life to be worth living. When I die, I want to know that I am leaving something behind, that I have done something for this world and people.

The God of the Bible can do it. It promises that it can also give your life meaning and fulfillment. In a relationship with him, you can do “good deeds that God has already prepared for us in advance.” ¹⁷

The God of the Bible also says that in your daily relationship He can lead your life in such a way that you do what pleases Him and what is always best for you. “In all your ways acknowledge him and he himself will make your paths straight.” ¹⁸ This does not mean that life will suddenly be perfect and great. There will still be illnesses, problems and personal failures. Life will not be perfect, but it will be richer. God says that from knowing him alone flows: “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” ¹⁹

Principle no. 7: Seek a god who offers true fulfillment

We all want to feel that our lives are fulfilled. Deep in our soul, we feel a thirst that wants to be quenched at any cost. However, it seems that no matter how hard we try, earthly things such as money, possessions, romantic relationships or entertainment cannot quench this thirst. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a God who could satisfy this thirst?

The God of the Bible offers a life that is supremely satisfying. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life more abundantly.” ²⁰ And he also said: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger; and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” ²¹

So the God of the Bible promises to fulfill this inner longing, which apparently nothing else can satisfy. That’s how he created us.

The good news: SUCH A GOD EXISTS

In my search for the perfect God, I only came across one who met all my criteria. He is the God described in the Bible. He is the ideal God.

This article has only briefly outlined what the God of the Bible is really like. If you want to know more about him, you can read one book of the Bible – the Gospel of John. If you mean it honestly, wouldn’t it be logical that he himself can be known to you? God says: “I love those who love me.” Those who earnestly seek me find me.” ²² “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you.” ²³

You ask how it is possible to know this ideal God? Establishing contact with him is similar to a wedding in a certain sense. It is preceded by a decision to voluntarily enter into a certain relationship. In the same way, in your relationship with God, it depends on you whether you decide to say your “yes” to him.

God does not discriminate between people. We were all made in his image. And no sin in your life can prevent you from entering into a relationship with him. God dealt with the problem of sin on the cross where Jesus was crucified. Now it is your turn to accept by faith that Jesus died for you , regardless of what you have done in the past.

Do you feel God knocking on your heart? Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him…” ²⁴ If you now want to invite this God into your life, the following prayer will help you (of course, the specific words do not matter, the sincerity of your heart is important):