What is God like?
If I asked this
question of ten different Christians I would get ten different
answers. If I asked this question of ten different unbelievers I too
would get ten different answers. Why is that so?
When it comes to
our beliefs we often seem ready to express how we feel rather than
based on facts. We feel hot. We feel cold. There are some days I do
not feel saved, but I am. That is a fact. Does not matter how I feel
on that day. I am saved. My focus should be on obeying God, not the
other way around.
Theology: The
rational and systematic study of religion and its influence and of
the nature of religious truth. I have heard the words theology and
doctrine kicked around church like a football. Mostly from those in
leadership positions who in fact could not explain the definitions of
either if their life depended on it. There in charge and that is it
according to them. Not hard to see what is wrong in our churches
today.
Feelings, beliefs
and facts? Sometimes it seems all three are preached in today's
pulpits. My feelings are just that. Feelings. They come and go. As
Rick Warren once said. “Some people will tell you it does not
matter what you believe as long as you are sincere. The problem with
that is that you can be sincerely wrong. You can pick up a glass of
poison and sincerely believe it is water. You still would be
sincerely dead. Dead wrong”
My beliefs must be
based on facts. With that said I am often asked, “How do you know
the bible is correct?” Over 2,000 years the Bible has been
scrutinized, examined, researched, archaeological reviewed and
explored. It still is the most studied controversial book in our
history. Based on such evidence I believe it is the Word of God. The
facts confirm my belief. Your feelings may not.
So what is God
like? This is a question I am often asked when witnessing and we need
to give them an answer.
First: God is Holy:
(Psalm 99:9, 119:9,
Revelation 15:4) God can do nothing that is not Holy. His love is a
Holy love. His justice is a Holy justice. His wrath is a Holy wrath.
God is free from all sin and evil and in Him is absolute moral
perfection. This is beyond our understanding.
Second: God is
sovereign:
God has absolute
authority and rule over all of His creation.
(1 Chronicles
29:11-12) God is omnipotent (has all power) He is omniscient (has all
knowledge) and omnipresent (in all places). God can do and when and
will do what he likes and with whom He likes. (Job 23:13)
God is the God of
providence:
Nothing happens by
chance or luck. God is always at work in our lives. God is always in
control. (Genesis 41:22, Ephesians 1:11)
God is good:
(Psalm 145:9,
15-16) Here most people will agree but seldom look beyond what the
scriptures tell us. God is kind and generous. This is where most seem
to veer off course. They see God's love, kindness and generosity as a
sign of weakness or softness. God is not someone you can take
advantage of. God is not some cosmic vending machine that you can
just push a button and all your problems are solved. We are
responsible for the circumstances we find ourselves in. Only through
God can we be led out of them towards the will of God.
God is love:
It is undeserved
love. (Romans 5:6-8) It is undesired love (1 John 4:10) It is
inconceivable love. (1 John 3:1) Here again is where most people lose
it. Our own interpretation of love is way off base. We love movies.
We love a certain type of food. We love going out and so on. We
ourselves have destroyed the meaning of love. On the cross, Jesus
demonstrated sacrificial love. Giving Himself. Allowing them to take
Him. Beat Him. Mock him. Then crucify Him. Publicly murder Him for
all to see. It is one thing to say you love Christ. Would you be
willing to sacrifice your own child? This is what Abraham was willing
to do to his son Isaac for God. It is what God did for you and me.
What is God like?
Here are just a few examples. Read and study your Bible. Speak from
truth and not what you feel or think you believe. Speak from fact.
Teach, Preach and Reach. <><
