God Reveals Himself

I’ve been reading “Our Reasonable Faith, A Survey of Christian Doctrine” by Herman Bavinck, and I’m astounded at the insights packed into every line of the generously proportioned book. I’m currently reading about God’s revelation of himself to man.

Bavinck points out that we learn about others by what they reveal to us whether intentionally or unintentionally. Truthfully, we reveal much more about ourselves unintentionally than we do intentionally. I can think of at least one person who I interacted with lately whose has tried to portray himself as an energetic, philanthropic and a hard working, productive man. The truth, as one can readily see in about 3 seconds, is that the guy exhibits all the signs of being a begger, a worthless worker, a chronically unemployed shifty drifter, and an opportunistic con man. He reveals himself despite his best efforts, ironically, perhaps even through his best efforts.

Bavinck points out though that God is not human, and an all powerful, all knowing God does not unintentionally reveal himself in any way or to anyone. God reveals himself to each of us exactly as he wishes and exactly the way we need him to in order for us to fit into His grand design. His choice to reveal himself through saving faith to one and not to another is not a matter of having no obedient servant or not having means to do so. It is also not a matter of being thwarted by a person’s stubborn non-belief. It is a matter of his sovereign choice as to who he reveals himself to and how.

The Heidelberg Catechism puts what I’m saying succinctly in Lord’s Day 21, Question 54.

Q. What do you believe concerning "the holy catholic church"?

A. I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.