Sometimes it feels like we humans have as many Gods between us as there are people. We all -- Christians, that is -- worship the "same God," but ... not ... quite. For most believers, God is somewhat nebulous, "out there," not quite in focus. Understandable -- He is holy, "other" -- but we often don't think of Him that way. So to some, He's remote and to some right inside. To some He's omniscient and to others not quite. To some He's omnipotent and to others He's ... held back, at the very least. To some He is Sovereign with a capital "S" and to others He's sovereign ... where He gives up His Sovereignty to give His creatures sovereignty. To some He's a "gentleman" -- He doesn't intrude where He's not wanted -- and to others He does what He pleases. Our shared God is ... similar ... in most aspects, but not the same.
Some of those variations are based on Scripture, but most are not. Most are based on humans. What do we feel God is like? What do we want God to be like? I mean, do we really want a "pushy" God? Do we actually have a God that causes pain or changes hearts without permission? So we end up with cognitive dissonance, holding opposing views in each hand and embracing them both. Face it. If we follow the biblical accounts and statements, including explicit quotes from God Himself, we will get a God who is ... let's say, less than comfortable. Like Lewis's Aslan -- He's not a tame lion.
Biblical characters knew this. Biblical characters understood that both evil and God exist and understood that the reality is that God's intent is always, ultimately good. So Joseph told his brothers, "You intended evil, but God intended good" (Gen 50:20). Paul said, "God causes all things to work together for good" (Rom 8:28), where "all things" includes everything from the delightful to the disastrous. Job said, "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" (Job 2:10). So let's allow God to be God and rearrange our view of Him to align with His view as seen in His Word. God is not a "gentleman" who won't intrude. He is not a "magic genie" who grants our wishes (or fails if He does not). He's not a tame god. But He is always a good God. If we choose to worship a god other than the God of the Bible, there is a word for it: idolatry.
2 comments:
This is why we must be continually renewing our minds, checking our consistency between what we want God to be like and what He says about Himself.
Holding a clear and proper understanding of God as He has revealed Himself to us is my life’s quest. Thank you for reminding us of this essential truth on such a helpfully regular basis. May I not create a God in my own image!
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