Who is like unto our God?

Satan has masterfully orchestrated the concept that God is in the business of self-pleasing and is a ruthless dictator. In our last lesson we saw that "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19, NIV) God's ways are different from our but how much different?

To answer this question let us first define the characteristics that must be possesed to be called God.

1. Omnipotence (be all powerful) "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns." (Revelation 19:6, NIV
2. Omniscient (all knowing) "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit." (Psalm 147:5, NIV)
3. Must possess eternal (beginningless and endless) life "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (Psalm 90:2, NIV)  God applies Wisdim and Righteousness to Power by Love (Agape) to produce life. God sustains all the creation by His sustaining power and grace.
4. Changeless "I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." (Malachi 3:6, NIV)
5. Absolutely Righteous "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made." (Psalm 145:17, NIV)

God ways cannot be compared with mans in the slightest sense because God is infinitely above and beyond us. How then do we know God and How do we find out more about Him? In the bible itself can be found principles of interpretation, that is, the bible explains itself. One of the great reformers of the 1800's put it this way "if the Bible is a revelation from God, it must be consistent with itself; and that as it was given for man's instruction, it must be adapted to his understanding." The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan; Great Controversy. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1888; 2002, S. 319

In our next lesson we will look at the principles of biblical interpretation.

The Traditional View of God part 2

We ended our last study with the question " who or what is our greatest enemy?" we will return to this question later but for now let us direct or attention to how God is popularly viewed. While many sincere christians admit that God is a God of love, truth and mercy there seems to be a dynamic inconsistency in relation to their view of God.

For example, most Christians attest to the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, but on the other hand they claim that God would strike down all  opponents of His ways. Immediately we must ask the question. If God sent His son to redeem us or buy us back why would He now kill us if we don't obey? Why not not offer His Son if He knew that we would sin?

Furthermore, some well meaning individuals attribute to God acts of violent destruction that cause extensive loss of life. They claim that since God is all powerful He could have prevented these occurrances but chose not to. This false reasoning has made many individuals unbelivers and athesists. It has added ammunition on the side of unbelief for opponents of the Gospel.

This view and popular tradition has taught us that retaliation is the only normal response to agression. Some parents, peers and adults encourage this type of behaviour but what does the bible say? "for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (James 1:20, NIV) Anger and retaliation are opposite to God's ways. Additionally, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)


 God's ways are opposite to mans ways and his thoughts are infinitely beyond ours. Therefore, our finite minds cannot understand God apart from the aid of the Holy Spirit. We must resist the urge to attribute to God the ways of man and humbly seek Him through his word with the promise "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, NIV)

Our greatest enemy then, is our own understanding of God that keeps us from a fuller and sweeter relationship with Him.

What are you doing more than others?

" "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:38-48, NIV)

The Traditional view of God part 1

Whether you believe it or not most of us have a very wrong concept of God. We were taught to view God as a stern judge who demands total obedience from His subjects or else. Think about it, we grew up hearing "you better obey God OR ELSE, you better be a good boy OR ELSE, "He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;" (Psalm 103:9, NIV). All these things we heard and feared as we grew up but did they paint an acccurate picture of God? God invites us to come and know Him and receive full salvation "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18, NIV) God's unconditional Agape Love drove Christ to the cross to die for our sins, our mistakes, our shortcomings, our betrayals, our gossiping, our guilt. Would His love also spur Him on to destroy that for which He payed so high a price? Who or what therfore kills or is the destroyer? Who our what is our greatest enemy? The World, Satan or Myself?