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How to Approach God

Many people have demanded God answer why he allows suffering. Some have even been so bold as to declare that after they die, they are going to demand some answers from God. Such foolishness reflects both ignorance and pride (a frequent combination). One might even ask if blindness to truth is a result of pride or its cause. We know that self-righteousness causes contempt for others (Luke 18:9), perhaps even for God. Those who speak so boldly and even mockingly of God now, may come to a different approach after death.

The bible gives a description in the story of the rich man and Lazarus of the rich man (who had no interest in God during his life) suffering after death. The description of his fate in Hades (the Sheol of the Old Testament) is described as torments (Luke 16:23).

The Greek word translated as torments is basanos and was used for a touchstone which was used to test the purity of gold and silver coins as there was much adulteration in coinage. The word was also used to describe the torture applied to slaves in judicial proceedings to insure their testimony was truthful. Both of these word uses are seen in bringing out truth. From this one might conclude that after death those who resisted truth find it forced upon them. This fate may also await those who resist truth (2 Tim 3:8) as Paul writes to Timothy regarding those in the “last days”.

It may be that this process of “torment” is applied to those who were not interested in God or were even contemptuous of him for the purpose of creating a situation where ultimately every knee will bend and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Is 42:23). Thus every mocker and those contemptuous of God as well as those who were not interested in God will be brought to acknowledge truth as they stand in judgment of their works. (Rev 20:12) This process of correction after death may produce in those previously hostile to or disinterested in God a new appreciation of truth

For those who see in the gospel of Christ the truth that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and trust in him for salvation, we are placed into what is called the “body of Christ” and are sealed with the Holy Spirit. As a result, we can come before God with confidence (Eph 3:11-12) even to the point of similarity to a small child coming to his father (Rom 8:15).

Many belong to a denomination that makes use of the supposed intercession of deceased Christians, scripted prayers, sacraments, and rituals as the way to approach God. While approximating a relationship, these often are limiting and can still leave one feeling distant or disconnected. The Christian of immature faith can also experience similar distance in their approach to God. Worldly influence such as the idea of self-creation (evolution) can also hinder even the Christian’s approach to God (Heb 11:6).

Perhaps the most earnest and honest approach is that of one who is seeking. The person who is trying to understand and find truth represents the same thing that was expected of the nation of Israel (Jer 29:13).

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