What do you think about the word God?

512 what do you think of 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 what God is like through a pair of glasses: "The glasses of Jesus Christ." According to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the only perfect revelation of the Father: “Jesus said to him, How long have I been with you, and you do not know me, Philip? Whoever sees me sees the father. Then how do you say, "Show us the Father?" (John 14,9) The letter to the Hebrews begins with the words: “After God spoke to the fathers many times and in many ways through the prophets in the past, he has spoken to us in these last days through the Son, whom he appointed to be the heir over all, through the he also made the world. He is the reflection of his glory and the likeness of himself, and upholds all things with his mighty word, and has accomplished cleansing from sins, and is seated at the right hand of the majesty on high” (Hebrews 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


pdfWhat do you think about the word God?