The greatest fault I believe we have all made is deciding who God is. If I mention ‘God’ to anyone in the world today – they will immediately have a few preconceived ideas.
Some would be repulsed – hurt by people who claimed to know Him. Some would be defiant – convinced that God does not exist. Some would get uncomfortable – unsure of what they believe and worried about disagreeing with me. Some would feel guilty – ashamed of what they have done and could be defensive as a result. Some would be open – sharing their own beliefs even though they differ (funny how these are normally the least violent). Some would be completely apathetic – unwilling to consider more than what they have right now. Some will welcome the conversation – sharing in the wonder of who He is. Others would pull out their theological textbooks and begin disputing the nuances of doctrine.
No matter what the situation or who the person is, God is always controversial. Why? Because none of us will ever fully understand Him. All of us put together could not actively construct a picture that would make sense to everyone. God says it Himself – our minds cannot grasp His greatness. We were not made to understand God. We were made to know Him. In an age where information builds belief, I think it is important to let people know – God is too much ‘information’ for anyone to process all at once. But despite this, He asks for us to believe Him and choose to know His character through relationship.
Imagine, if you can, a world where there was no Facebook. In this world you meet someone and start building a friendship. Since there is no online trail, there is no way of knowing where they come from, who their friends are, where they grew up or what they are passionate about. The only way you would find this information out is if the person in question tells you.
“But then how would you know if it was true?” The post-millennial might ask, aghast. Simple: doing life with that person – meeting other friends, getting to know their character and seeing how they respond in different situations will either corroborate or contradict what they shared.
It is the same with God. He wants you to get to know Him through relationship, not fact. The Bible is not a textbook – it’s a story of what He has done throughout the ages. It’s a history that can be corroborated through the lives of others who have spent time getting to know His character. God is so much more than just a cognitive understanding. He engages our emotions, our intellect, our bodies and our spirits all at once – that is why He tells us to love Him with all our hearts, minds and strength. He is a full experience – not an archaic academic conclusion.
Here are a few things I have learnt about who God isn’t that might help you change your preconceptions:
God is not a judge in the sky
Many people muster up images of Zeus – throwing lightning bolts down from heaven. Sorry – that’s the wrong religion.
God is the ultimate version of good. He made us with the intention for good only. Anything that is not from God (who is good) is evil. Evil is literally the absence of God. So why do bad things happen? Well humanity tried to do life without the goodness of God. So there are repercussions that span from Adam to that guy who has those house parties next door. God isn’t simply sitting there judging us as we fumble around in the mess and consequences of millennia of selfish, unbridled living. He is actively working to draw us back to His original, good plan – to be in perfect relationship with Him. He loves us more than we could know.
The recent film version of the highly acclaimed book The Shack recently premiered – and in it God is portrayed as an African-American woman. It had half the Christian world up-in-arms about slandering the Sovereignty of God. But in essence, it is the best example of how we have limited God to a picture that we are comfortable with. God made both male and female in His image. So it’s fair to say He could be portrayed by either – and let’s not get into whether He is caucasian or not… That’s a whole other history lesson on misconception.
Jesus is not a religion
Religion is not a word that Jesus would use or agree with. In fact, while He was on earth, He openly criticized those who were fighting endlessly around the rules of the Hebrew faith. Religion is an authoritarian construct that forces people to submit out of guilt. Jesus didn’t come to earth for you to feel guilty – to feel like you have to pay for your sins. He came so that all of those problems could get out of the way.
He wants a relationship free of all of the shame and guilt you have accumulated over your lifespan. He died so that you don’t have to go through the same thing. He doesn’t want you as a slave. He wants you as family.
The Holy Spirit isn’t a ghost that makes people weird
Personally, I want to apologize on anyone who might have made you think that. As much as the Holy Spirit is a part of God that is least known, He is also the part of God that is present with us every day. He is the counsellor and active power of God at work on earth.
The Holy Spirit is simply God in our lives – speaking to us as we read the Bible. Encouraging us to move forward and empowering us to defy and exceed the expectations of those around you. He makes knowing God exciting and worthwhile. There’s nothing better than having God present in your every-day routine – engaging constantly with you.
I don’t know what your perception of God has been – but I hope you are willing to give up what you think and be willing to let God reveal Himself to you. Click on the link below to find out more.