MANIFESTATION OF GOD
The Biblical Word of God says: “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). But many other books and teachings that do not agree with the Bible that Jesus Christ is the only true manifestation of God. Yet, Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF BOOKS THAT TEACHES OTHER THAN THE BIBLE WAY TO GOD
Contrary to what the Bible says about Jesus being the only way to God, many books say, “God is in everything“ and “We are God.” For example, in the introduction to the popular book titled “The Four Agreements,” by Don Miguel Ruiz, the author wrote about what he discovered in a “dream” about God being manifested in everything. He said this was what he discovered: “Everything in existence is a manifestation of the one living being we call God. Everything is God…I am God. But you are God also…We are God.” Many people are said to believe and follow such teachings as their understanding of God and guide to life. This book alone is reported to have sold several million copies and has been translated into 46 languages worldwide.
Why would anyone believe in a book based on a dream, rather than the Bible which is based on eye-witnessed events manifesting who God truly is? Some may want to “be like God,” as Adam and Eve wanted to be. But, like Adam and Eve in their disobedience to God, their effort to be like God can actually resulted in their being separated from God (Genesis 3).
And choosing to believe “everyone is “God” may be a way of denying that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)–A way of claiming to be equal with the God who alone is Holy, despite God having declared: “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God” (Isaiah 45:5)–“I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other” (Isaiah 42:8).
THE BIBLE REVEALS JESUS AS THE TRUE AND COMPLETE MANIFESTATION OF GOD
The Bibles states: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
Jesus said, “No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father” (John 6:46). Jesus, “who is himself God” (John 1:1-4, 18), said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
When Jesus appeared in a transfiguration with two of God’s great Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah; then the disciples of Jesus wanted to do something to honor and recognize the three of them; but a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” (Luke 9:35).
Jesus said, “If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin” (John !5:24). The Bible tells us, “how God anointed(A) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing(B) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38).
After Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead: “Then he said to [his disciples], (A)“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, (B)that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then (C)he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus (D)it is written, (E)that the Christ should suffer and on the third day (F)rise from the dead, 47 and that (G)repentance for[a] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed (H)in his name (I)to all nations, (J)beginning from Jerusalem. 48 (K)You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:44-48).
The word of God declares: “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
Yet because of God’s great love for mankind, all Scripture is given by God “ in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ;” Colossians 2:2). “And that by believing you may have [eternal] life in his name” (John 20:30-31; John 3:16).
