May The Force Be With You

[Pew Research Center, February, 2012; http://goo.gl/bF1Il6]

   On the surface this sounds like good news. Sadly, though, my experience is that many of the people who say that they believe in God – have no idea who God really is. I say that because I often hear people call God things like “the man upstairs” or “a higher power.” What does that mean? It’s as if the fictional Star Wars slogan “May the force be with you” has come to describe our view of God. Many people seem to be comfortable with this foggy understanding of God. Just believing that something powerful exists out there seems to satisfy them.  

   How have people come to this conclusion? It begins with their imaginations. They think about what they want God to be like, and “ta-da!” that describes God to them. When people do this, they are choosing to believe in a god they have mentally created. The problem is that God is not an imaginary entity. He doesn’t take on a certain character or form just because we imagine that’s what He’s like.

   The Bible warns us against believing in God this way. In fact, God made it the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). Either we trust God to be who He says He is, or we will end up believing in a god created by our own imagination.

   There has to be only one true God. It is important, therefore, that we allow that God to reveal Himself to us, and He has done that three different, important ways.

   First, God created the universe to reflect His nature. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). A never-ending universe, for example, reflects a God who is eternal. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…” (Romans 1:20).

   Second, God has also told us about Himself in written form. Here are a couple of samples of how God describes Himself in the Bible, His Holy Word: “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’ . . .  Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it” (Isaiah 46:9-11). “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (Revelation 4:11). The entire Bible reveals many things about Who God really is.

   Finally, God revealed Himself in an amazing, personal way that everyone can understand. He didn’t just use nature and the Bible to reveal who He is. He also came and lived among us! God took on human flesh in order to display God to us. This is why the Apostle John declared, “we know that the Son of God [Jesus] has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).  

   Don’t settle for a cheap substitute. I don’t care about some nebulous “force” being with me. I want the all-powerful, eternal, holy, and grace-loving God to be with me. I want Him to be with you, too. If you are interested in learning more about God, I will send you a free Bible so you can study and understand more about Him for yourself. You are welcome to ask for a Bible or share your thoughts about God with me at:  www.BethelChapelChurch.com/resources/pastors-corner or BethelChapelChurch@gmail.com