Responding to God and His angels tests our heart

The idea that people aren’t aware of God is alien to human experience. The key issue is our response. We have the Biblical case of Samuel, who as a very young child was called by God, and advised by Eli to respond, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10). In the case of Saul of Tarsus, this self-righteous Pharisee, when confronted by Jesus, said “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 9:5) There are numerous other cases in the Bible, for example of rejection, such as those who, at the return of Christ, say to to the rocks and mountains “Fall on us and hide us from the sight of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb….” (Revelation 6:16)

In the realm of modern experience, there are countless testimonies. Many meet Christ in church in response to preaching and teaching of the gospel. Many of the questioning, the doubting, and the reluctant (not being in church) are confronted directly by the living Christ (in dreams, visions, or Him speaking directly to us) and make a decision for Christ. One example is C. S. Lewis who described himself as the most reluctant convert when he was dragged into the Kingdom of God. He responded to divine revelation of Truth when confronted.

Angels are God’s messengers. Biblical accounts do not show them as having God’s authority except as delegated, but they do assist humans. Modern sightings are rare (much rarer than God speaking to individuals) but we know they are invisibly around us. How often do we escape near-certain calamity by seemingly the minutest circumstance? We talk about guardian angels and glorify God for His divine protection. But Jesus also gave us a very specific warning regarding guardian angels: “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) When we see little children, or those who are innocent at heart (e.g., mentally challenged of various types), do we welcome them with due respect for their guardians as Jesus cautioned? 

In summary, every occasion of human-divine interaction affords us a choice and opportunity. We reveal our hearts through our response. We can change our heart, but we must make that decision ourself. We cannot complain of the lack of opportunity or initiative on God’s part to reach out to us. God is not as concerned about whether we will rationally choose to surrender when it is clear who He is, as He is about whether our heart is aligned with His. He will accept us on any terms but clearly blesses those who share a desire for His character.