What do I believe about God?
And does it matter what I believe?
Do I picture an indulgent Grandpa handing out lollipops to his darlings?
Do I cower as I imagine a harsh dictator meting out wrath on an unsuspecting victim?
Do I think of a disinterested creator who has set the pendulum swinging on this earth before vanishing and forcing humans to muddle through their circumstances alone?
Do I think of a Being far too busy to annoy Himself with my concerns?
What I believe affects my actions. If I doubt God's Word, my life will be affected.
Consider Job.
He lost everything he possessed, including his children and health. Even his wife and friends deserted him. In his anguish, Job still expressed trust in God's faithfulness. “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21) He also found hope in a future Savior. “For I know that my redeemer liveth.” (Job 19:25)
The example of Job demonstrates how a proper view of God was able to keep Job faithful despite his afflictions. A proper view of God may be the most important truth to embed in our lives. Our view of God will color our view of all life, causing us to despair or praise, to worry or trust.
My view of God must come from His Word. As I read through the Bible,
especially the New Testament, I stop and ask, what does this passage
tell me about God?
Here
are a few examples:
“God
is love” (1 John 4:16)
He
is “a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19)
He
is our adopted Father (Romans 8:15 Gal 4:6)
He
is “a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6)
He
will “judge the world in righteousness.” (Acts 17:31)
He
is “longsuffering...not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter
3:9)
He
is “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor
1:3)
And
that only scratches the surface. We could spend the rest of our lives
studying the character and attributes of God and still have more to
learn.
We can also study the life of Christ. God spoke “unto us by
His Son” (Hebrews 1:2) so studying Jesus and His teachings will
show us His Father.
So here is a challenge - for me and for you. Find and delight on Scriptures that share the character of our wonderful God.
Then we, like Job, will be prepared to respond to life's
circumstances with truth.
What attributes of God have you found in the
Scripture?
Thank you for this post. I think the character of God is one of the most misunderstood things of this generation-the the peril of many.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Philosopher Saint Thomas Aquinas, author of the ancient and famous "Summa Theologica"
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summa_Theologica
argues that we can discern much about G-d by studying His creation; similar to how an artist's work says much about the artist.
Our pastor gave a beautiful sermon last week http://www.cbcelp.com/media/weekly-sermons/
in his continuing series on defeating Satan. Through this particular sermon, my eyes were open to the reality that we cannot achieve righteousness through our own efforts, but ONLY through faith in Yeshua; in Christ Jesus.
We cannot be "good" through our own pitiful efforts, but only through our complete and utter dependence on the strength of Jesus alone. This wisdom, I pray, will greatly improve my efforts to defeat Satan's tricks. We must never stop growing in our walk with the Lord.
Thank you for your blog, I enjoy reading the posts. My husband and I have an online ministry that we use to encourage others to go back to the New Testament Church that Jesus set up and to look past the man made religion that we see today. Did you know that 'going to church' is not biblical? We 'are' the church. Did you know that the New Testament saints met house to house and did not build buildings? Jesus said His temple is not built with human hands yet man has created a 'go to' theology that separates a person's living worship (Romans 12:1-2) to a 'going to' someplace to worship. The tithe is not biblical for the New Testament and in many places it is used as a battering ram to rob needy people of their money when Paul (Holy Spirit through him) said to give out of the abundance of your heart. Sadly there are people who have been born again from their worldly past who have massive debt that they should be first getting themselves out from (God's word encourages believers to 'owe no man nothing') but instead the money is used to prop up a man made system/building etc. I know a lot of our ministry does not apply to the plain people as they have much biblically correct but there are some areas that pertain to any group and we all can use more depth in His Word as you show. The reason I post this is because people who are trapped in a man made system will not clearly see the awesome character and nature of our wonderful Creator God who sent His Son to pay for the sins of the Word. Feel free to check out our ministry and please, please correct us if we are wrong. I am happy to see others who strive in obedience to the things of God as we live in a spiritually barren place in the country where there are many walking around spiritually dead and do not desire to speak of anything from the Word of God. www.dontperish.com
ReplyDeleteMuch love in Christ, please feel free to have your husband contact mine as we are always seeking biblical fellowship.
Have a joyful day and may God be praised.
Sister Deb
It is always encouraging to find others who are studying God's Word and taking it seriously in their lives.
DeleteBlessings,
Gina
You post many truths. The conservative Amish probably conduct their worship closest to the biblical model. However, Paul reminds us that Christians do have a financial obligation to support Jews in need. And my pastor is such great teacher of the Word that I gladly pay a few bucks to support him and his infrastructure. Our physical church also serves as a center of ministries, evangelization, teaching, and fellowship. In practice, this could all be done in people's homes--I do not know. Your ministry fascinates me. Blessings to you.
DeleteIt is written in the book of prophets that they (those whom He draws to Himself) shall be taught by God. John 6:27
ReplyDeleteTEACHER! Those of us who have been drawn out of a very different life, to the one we know now, understand just how true this is!
I'm sure this scripture has many layers and levels, but I remember, just not knowing 'how to live' After a Born Again experience, God led me to start with Proverbs! Very simply read, practical, do-able and a new path, led by the Holy Spirit! He is our Teacher.
Thanks for sharing your testimony of God as a Teacher.
DeleteGina
Do you think it's okay to have favorite attributes of God? That last one you listed--"the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort"--are the divine traits I return to again and again. Sometimes I think, if not for this promise of His mercy and comfort, I would despair.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder of how great our God is.
Stephanie
I love that verse too. Without Him we can do nothing.
DeleteGina
Our thoughts produce fruit of the same nature, whether good or evil. Oh that we would be transformed by the renewing of our minds! I immediately thought of this video. Good for several moments of meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NscHCa395-M
ReplyDelete