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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: What does it mean when the Apostle Paul mentioned the unknown God? – I.W.

A: The great Apostle Paul stood before the people of the great city of Athens and declared the unknown God to all those listening. He had walked the city streets and observed the customs of the people. This pagan society had a niche for every god in the world, yet their moral corruption was revealed by the hundreds of idols illuminated by the sun at a place called Mars Hill in ancient Greece. Paul spoke with power before this congregation and acknowledged all of their gods — but then he took the opportunity to reveal that God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, had died for their sins and risen to new life.

Paul declared, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22–23, NKJV). What a marvelous declaration. The people of Athens had not stopped to consider their dark side. They had been too busy making gods like themselves.

Our society worships gods of our own making. Our culture is saturated with the worship of sports, sex, and pleasure. We are busy humanizing God and deifying man. Our idols are not statues of gold and marble; our idols come from the things we love the most. Life does not have to be filled with such emptiness, but we can fill our minds and hearts with the things that bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. One who truly follows Him will have a hunger to worship Him and His Word that brings hope and gives salvation.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2023 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2023 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.