What do you think about the word God?
When a friend speaks to you about God, what comes to your mind? Think of a lone figure somewhere in heaven? Imagine an elderly gentleman with a flowing white beard and a white robe? Or a director in a black business suit, as portrayed in the movie "Bruce Almighty"? Or the portrayal of George Burns as an older guy in a Hawaiian shirt and tennis shoes?
Some people believe that God is actively involved in their lives, while others imagine God as detached and distant, out there somewhere, watching us "from a distance". Then there is the notion of an impotent god who is simply one of us, "like a stranger on a bus trying to find his way home," as in the Joan Osborne song.
You see, the Bible presents God as a strict judge, giving out divine rewards and punishments to everyone - mostly punishments - based on how well one lived up to his high standard of perfect living. Many Christians think of God like that - a harsh God-Father who is ready to destroy everyone until his benevolent and compassionate son intervenes to give his life for the misguided people. But that is clearly not the biblical view of God.
How does the Bible represent God?
The Bible presents the reality of God through a lens: "The lens of Jesus Christ." According to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the only perfect revelation of the Father: "Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father"?'" (Joh 14,9)The Epistle to the Hebrews begins with the words: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he is seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebr 1,1-3).
If you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus. Jesus and the Father are one, says the Gospel of John. If Jesus is meek, patient and compassionate - and he is - then so is the Father. And also the Holy Spirit - who is sent by the Father and the Son by whom the Father and the Son dwell in us and guide us into all truth.
God is not detached and uninvolved, one who watches us from afar. God is always, intimately and passionately connected with his creation and his creatures. For you, that means, God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has called you into being out of love, and loves you throughout your life in God's saving way. He leads you to guide you to his ultimate purpose, eternal life as one of his beloved children.
When we imagine God in a biblical way, we should think of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect revelation of the Father. In Jesus Christ, all humanity - including you and me - was involved through the eternal bond of love and peace that connects Jesus to the Father. Let us learn to accept the truth with enthusiasm, to what God has already made us, as his children in Christ.
by Joseph Tkach
