1 John 4- Seen God?

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No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:12-13

The Apostle John makes an interesting statement “Nobody has seen God at anytime”, he makes this same statement in the gospel of John also (John 1:18) Seems like a pretty straightforward statement, however when we understand this statement more deeply , we understand more how much we need Jesus Christ!

As Jesus said “He who has seen Me, has seen the Father” (John 14:9) Christ is the express image or exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3) the only way to get to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) there is no other way to “see God” or to become saved. Christ is the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5)

A couple things we need to understand, our sinful nature and Gods holiness. We could never expect to “see God” or stand before God in our sinful state, the only way we could be in the presence of God is through Christ. As the Apostle Paul said “He who knew no sin, to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:8) The only “good” thing about us is Jesus Christ, without Christ we are to be consumed for our depravity.

Think back to the tabernacle in the Exodus or the temple, nobody was able to cross the holy of holies, the viel, unless they were purified of their sin. The levitical priests used to wear bells on their garments so people knew if they were struck dead or not by the “presence of God” The holiness of God is far beyond our comprehension,  a perfect love that can’t be changed

Another perspective I want us to think about this verse, many people try to comprehend God, they try to simplify the Trinity, some go to extremes that eventually deny the deity of Christ and make the Holy Spirit just an “active force” Another way to look at this statement by the Apostle John “Nobody has seen God” meaning Nobody could possibly comprehend God, as John Wesley once said “show me a worm that can comprehend a man, and I’ll show you a man that can comprehend the Triune God” I know some will say this an excuse, however you need to humble yourself, can you possibly understand the One who spoke the Heavens and Earth into existence?

Here’s the amazing thing, we can be reconciled back to God through The Lord Jesus Christ, also as the Apostle John says here “God dwells in us” wow! The Triune God that nobody can see or comprehend is living inside of us by the Holy Spirit, do you understand how radical this is? Don’t be fooled by false religion who tells you anyone can come to God, I will end with the words of Christ “I am the way, the truth, and the life, Nobody comes to The Father except through Me “ (John 14:6)

12 thoughts on “1 John 4- Seen God?”

  1. espousingthetruth's avatarBJ

    Thank you so much for your posts on the reality of the Holy Trinity , the One True Living God. To be sure, the concept of God being One yet comprised of Distinct Persons can be confusing and difficult to understand.

    Yet even with our finite minds, the Holy Spirit can give a person seeking understanding an understanding at a level he/she can comprehend.

    Although I was a Trinitarian, I struggled with this. So I asked the Lord to give me understanding. So, after fifteen years ago the Lord blessed me with a vision while I was at Church that gave me an understanding that I and others could grasp concerning the Holy Trinity and how the Three are harmoniously One. I know the Lord has given others understanding and wisdom concerning these things. Yet, I am grateful and in awe knowing that those who diligently seek wisdom and understanding from the Lord that He will give it to them. All glory belongs to God. ✝️🕊

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    1. Unashamed of Jesus's avatarUnashamed of Jesus Post author

      Amen brother! Well said… thanks for sharing your story. Yes understanding the nature of God is complex yet what would we expect from God Almighty. People try to simplify God to fit a concept in their mind that they can grasp, yet in this process they create a false God, they remove the deity of Christ, they quench the Holy Spirit

      I don’t see how people can read the scriptures and not see the Triune God, I see it everywhere

      God bless you brother! Have a blessed weekend!

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      1. espousingthetruth's avatarBJ

        Of course I left out some details mainly because I wasn’t able to come up with how to describe in written words. I think it’s best to describe orally, snd and illustrations certainly help. If you’d like me to share I’d be happy to. In Christ, BJ

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      3. espousingthetruth's avatarBJ

        As you know, religion quenches the Holy Spirit. Which the enemy exploits to his advantage by limiting the power and effectiveness of individual Christians and the Church.

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      5. espousingthetruth's avatarBJ

        We’ve encountered those that say that because an explicit phrase doesn’t exist in the Bible, then it doesn’t exist. Some may be legalists, some are Jews, and others I suspect are those that try to justify their perverted or twisted of Holy Scriptures (i.e., The Holy Bible). For examples, the Holy Trinity and the Rapture. These phrases or words aren’t explicitly in the Bible, the concept, knowledge, and understanding of the Holy Trinity and the Rapture are in the Bible. So, they’re without excuse for the Holy Bible clearly and unequivocally supers the reality of the Holy Trinity e.g., 2 Corinthians 13:14, Matthew 28:19, 1 John 5:7) and the Rapture (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4). To deny the reality of these is to deny the Truth.

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