Have you ever noticed how “religious” human beings are? Entire cultures, governments, and families are shaped around “religion.”
Most people believe in God. Actually, most people believe in god(s), and for the sake of arguement, let’s just agree on the fact that most people around this floating ball of dirt don’t believe that we evolved from cosmic goo, that one day we decided not to be monkeys any longer, grew an opposable thumb, and stopped swinging from trees.
Most people don’t believe that garbage.
Actually, I saw a recent survey done around America where surveyors asked people whether or not they believed that they really evolved from monkeys. Although interesting…but certainly not a shocker…the vast majority of people stated the fact that, no, they don’t truly believe in the theory that they evolved from monkeys.
Even though we are bombarded with the theoretical teachings of evolution and that there is no god, the fact remains…once they leave the educational institution, they just don’t buy it.
People believe in a deity. We are wired for worship. We were created to worship the Creator, yet the vast majority of the world suppresses that truth in unrighteousness and worships a deity made in the image of man, of four-footed animals, and creeping things (think of the Egyptians who worshipped the dung beetle. Yes, dung.). Although immensely sinful and foolish, we simply cannot overrule the inherent notion that we are religious creatures and, though we deny the truth of God and His revealed character, we will always fill in the gap and insert a god(s) that we feel more comfortable with.
Even atheists are religious. They worship themselves, sitting on the throne of their own life, closing theirs eyes to the reality that one day soon they will understand that God is more real than they could have ever imagined. And then it will be too late.
I believe in God. I believe in the God of the Bible. Most of the people I know believe in the very same God of the Bible. But what I also find interesting is that most people have different thoughts about the God of the Bible, what they believe God is like, what He is not like, if He is even a “He” or should be also thought of as a “she,” etc, etc, etc.
Ever noticed that no one thinks their beliefs or interpretations of Scripture are wrong. There’s never anything wrong with the theology of the one staring back at us in the mirror. We are so prideful some times.
It is strange that God has revealed Himself in Holy Scripture and yet we would still rather have a God we are “more comfortable” with, and so we exchange the truth of who God is, as found in Scripture, and define Him in other ways so that He is more likable. More convenient. More up-to-date. A God we can easily put in a box and carry around in our pocket or purse. How do we do that, you ask? Well, here’s just a few ways from off the top of my head:
- My God would never send people to Hell. God is love, after all.
- I believe that God wants us to love everyone unconditionally, regardless of what they’ve done or what they believe, and that we should never, ever judge. (“Judge not, lest you also be judged.”)
- My God would never choose people to save in eternity past and send others to Hell if they don’t “believe.” I don’t understand it, therefore I don’t believe it.
- I think that women should be able to serve as pastors in a church. Yes it is God’s Word, but it was 2,000 years ago. Times change, and we’ve learned a few things since then.
- I think that God can be found in other religions and that the Bible is not the sole authority.
- I think that church is a place for unbelievers, not just genuine Christians. We should try to attract non-Christians to our church worship services.
Maybe you don’t agree with me regarding some of these, but maybe you do. But that’s the thing. We just can’t agree!
But I do think there are some essentials about who God the Father is. Below you will find a few paragraphs that I put together about who I think God is. Let me know your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree with anything I say below?
[stextbox id=”custom”]I believe that God the Father, the first Person of the Triune Godhead, is the Creator and sovereign Ruler of all things (Genesis 11-31; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 3:9), and that He orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36).
I believe His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with humanity. As Creator He is Father of all humanity (Ephesians 4:6), but is the spiritual Father only to repentant believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through repentant faith in Jesus Christ; He adopts as his own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).[/stextbox]
QUESTION: What do you think about all this? Does it matter what we believe about God or not? Do you think God cares one way or another?
* Photo credit: sreeji.. (Creative Commons)
QUESTION: What do you think about all this? Does it matter what we believe about God or not? Do you think God cares one way or another?
First of all, I find it fairly closeminded to imply that, of all the world religions that have existed for thousands of years before even Judaism popped up, christianity is the “right” religion. Also, if there is some sort of omnipotent god figure, I highly doubt that humanity is the end-all be-all of this supreme creature’s concern. Sorry, but I’m pretty sure that humanity is not the center of the universe, just like the earth is not the center of the solar system. I know that it’s hard to accept the idea that we as a species, let alone individuals, matter one whit in the grand scheme of things, but I find life much more amazing that way. To think that out of all the possible life forms on all the possible planets, of all the possible combinations of genes, I just so happen to exist? That’s awe-inspiring. Why do people seem have the constant need to make themselves feel more important by placing us at the forefront of some all-powerful being’s concern, instead of simply stepping back and looking at all the majesty that the natural world has produced, including us?
that was supposed to be “don’t matter one whit”, my apologies.
Dear Guest, thanks for your comment.
I take it that you aren’t an “overly” religious person, let alone certainly not claiming to be a Christian. Not a problem, but I just wanted to be sure.
Yes, I’m rather unapologetic about my Christian beliefs. The fact is, Jesus walked on water, created food out of thin air, raised the dead, caused blind people to see and deaf people to hear…and also said that God was His Father. Normal people don’t do things like that. None of His enemies or opponents ever claimed Jesus did NOT do these things; it took 2,000 years to get to that point.
Scripture makes the bold claim that God created all things in six days, resting on the 7th, and that He became a man (put on human flesh) in order to die for the sin of those who would believe. So yes, we Christians certainly do believe that God looks at the creatures called “humans” as above other creatures here on Earth. In fact, the Bible tells us that God made humanity in His own image. He didn’t create angels or dolphins or flowers or planets in His image…just people like you and me.
You are quite special to God. Never forget that.
Ultimately, I understand if you don’t buy into, or agree with, these core biblical beliefs I have written. But they are the basic tenets of what the Christian Scripture teaches.
Thanks for your comments!
You’ll notice that it’s always humans testifying to the fact that they’re made in God’s image. The Bible was written by humans – even those who think it was God-breathed admit that. Jesus was a human. It always comes back to humans building themselves up no matter how you slice it.
Well, I haven’t seen any dolphins, goats, or butterflies writing anything as of late so, yes, you’re right, “it’s always humans testifying to the fact that they’re made in God’s image.”
I do disagree with you, however. The writer of Scripture, as Scripture says itself, was written by God (it is God’s Word) but God chose to use people as the instrument holding the pen, if you will. But just because we were made in the image of God doesn’t mean that we are living like it…or even that we truly know what it means to be “made in the image of God.”
So it’s the fact that people can write that proves they’re made in God’s image?
“but God chose to use people as the instrument holding the pen”
Yeah, according to the people holding the pen.
It all comes down to whether or not you believe the Bible to be truly inspired by God or whether you think it contains error because it was written only from the mind of a human. I take it that you fall into the second category, which is understandable, and I am certainly not berating you for that. I personally believe it is the former, and that is why I take the stance that I do and have the world view I have.
Ultimately, if a person truly believes the Bible to be the Word of God and not just another book, then it will have authority over their life. Like it does mine. For many years it had no authority over my life and so I believed similarly as I think you do. When I was a senior in college, the Lord saved me and my world view changed because my view about God and the Bible changed.
You can read about that here:
http://www.crazyaboutchurch.com/my-personal-testimony/
God bless!
Powerful words of Exaltation Specht. I’m a minister of a the gospel our our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The one who died and rose on the third day to save the entire mankind.
I quite agree with all your claims, your beliefs and I’m confident you’re on the right path of life. I’m also a blogger but have been searching for a christian bible-based blog to get inspired on the awesomeness of Jehovah (the father of our lord Jesus Christ).
Thank you for putting this blog together, I’m subscribed already and will be glad to contribute an article about God’s Love here. Do you mind?
Michael, thank you for your kind words here!
I’m always looking to get to know other like-minded believers from around the blogosphere. I’m honored that you subscribed to my blog and I hope our Lord uses it to glorify Himself in your life as well as in mine.
I am definitely open to guest posts. You should check out my page regarding Guest Posts in the upper navigation menu and see if it fits with what you’re looking to do. Thank you, and God bless!
I’ve always thought of God as male. Strong. He created Adam, a male and then Eve as a helpmate. Also, Jesus was male. Our Father, God, would be male. This is how I believe, what do you believe?