WHAT IS YOUR PICTURE OF GOD?
18th Feb 2015
For some of you He will have all the attributes of a good father. Not many have such a privilege, and because of human failings we can put the negative reactions we have about human father’s on to God.
For others He can be ‘the headmaster in the sky’, fearsome, looking for weaknesses and failure, and always needing us to be on our ‘best behaviour’ in his orbit.
Another misconception portrays Him as ‘daddy’ who adores each of us, faults and all, and is so kind and patient with all our weaknesses, that we have little need to change.
We all need renewing of our minds in order to comprehend the awesome nature of who God is - a holy being, all powerful and unable to look at sin in any form, and yet a compassionate, responsible being who deals with all our inability to change ourselves by sending Jesus as his representative.
Jesus is God, who said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” Check your God picture and see if it lines up with what we know of Jesus:
Yes, He understood our weakness and failure.
Yes, He could be fearsome when confronted with injustice, hypocrisy and behaviour that dishonoured his Father.
Yes, He loved you enough to die in order that we might live with new resurrection life and have resources made available through the Holy Spirit, tapping into heaven whilst still on earth.
However, when He is displayed in all His glory at the Transfiguration, fear and terror overcome the disciples. When he speaks the words, “I am He” in Gethsemene those seeking to arrest him fall down under His Almighty power.
Job 37:23 & 24 in The Message says,
“Mighty God! Far beyond our reach!
Unsurpassable in power and justice!
It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly.
So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all!
If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him.”
So ask God for an accurate picture - a mixture of wonder and privilege - and worship!
by Joyce Sibthorpe
