Let’s begin by reading 1 John 4:9-12, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” The portion is referencing God and His Son, Jesus. This is not the first time the Apostle John had made this statement. He said in John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Here, he is a little more specific in stating that while no one had seen God, His Son had declared Him, or told others about Him.

There are basically two reasons why no man has seen God.

  1. GOD IS A SPIRIT. We read the words of the Lord Jesus in John 4:23-24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. GOD IS A SPIRIT: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” We read of Christ in John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1 tells us that, “…Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word, who is Jesus, was with God. Also, the Word, who is Jesus, was God. The Word, who is Jesus, was made flesh. We learn, then, that God, who is a spirit, took on flesh and blood so that he might tell us about God, the Father.
  2. GOD IS INVISIBLE. 1 Timothy 1:17 says, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, INVISIBLE, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Since He is invisible, God cannot be seen. However, we read in Colossians 1:15 that Christ, “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” It is Christ, who is the “express image” of God. (Hebrews 1:3)

Let’s consider 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” This verse is so rich in truth. Along with other verses, we see clearly here that Jesus is God in the flesh. We can compare that with Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.” It was in the person of Christ that God was “seen of angels.” It seems from the context that it is possible that that angels had never seen the Lord before. He is invisible, after all. Yet, we are told here that God was seen of angels. How amazing! (237.8)