CHAP. I. (cont.)

Of GOD, and the true and Saving Knowledge of Him.

Q. What are they that bear Record in Heaven?

A. There are Three that bear Record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these Three are One [1 John 5:7].

Q. How cometh any man to know God the Father according to Christ’s words?

A. All things are delivered to me of my Father; and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him [Luke 10:22; Matt. 11:27].

Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me [John 14:6].

Q. By whom, and after what manner doth the Son reveal this knowledge?

A. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have entered into the Heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him; But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of a man, which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now, we have received not the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God [1 Cor. 2:9-12].

Barclay concludes his chapter on the true and saving knowledge of God by defining God as the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost. He then adds that knowledge of God was revealed to humanity in the person of the Son, that is the Word, Jesus Christ.

God is ultimately revealed to each person by the Holy Spirit. All those who are receptive to the Holy Spirit working in them know something of God. The Spirit of God is a gift freely given and not something that any of use earn. All knowledge we have of God is revealed to us through the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

“You shall offer up in smoke the whole ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the Lord: it is a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord…You shall take them from their hands, and offer them up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering for a soothing aroma before the Lord; it is an offering by fire to the Lord…The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it the same grain offering and the same drink offering as in the morning, for a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord.”

God seems to be a multi-sensory God. How are these offerings a soothing aroma to God? Does this mean that God is pleased because he likes the smells of burning grain and flesh or is the aroma pleasing to God because it represents the people being obedient to God?

In addition to smell, God is pleased with the sounds of our words when we offer them up as an offering to God. God is pleased when he sees our time and effort up offered as an offering. God is pleased when he tastes our cooking offered to someone in need as an offering to God. God is pleased when he touches us and we respond in worship. God is pleased

When we give the best we have to offer in worship of God, God is please.