What is God Like?

06/07/06 06:56 AM
How would you describe God? To some He is like a doting grandpa who just winks and grins and sloughs off our transgressions. But on the other end of the spectrum, there are many who fearfully envision Him as a stern, unrelenting authority figure just waiting pounce and to punish if we get out of line. To others still, He is simply the seldom thought about "old man upstairs." It's almost like there are as many views of God as their are people. Why?

Some may point to the rising tide of Biblical illiteracy in our culture, and that's certainly a factor. But I have also discovered that a person's concept of God (particularly their ideas concerning God as a heavenly Father) is greatly influenced by their relationship with their earthly father. For instance, children with daddy's (and sometimes mommy's) who are overly strict and stern tend to have a much harder time embracing how infinitely much God loves them (Zeph. 3:17). In fact, Osten Sorenson once said, "A child is not likely to find a Father in God, unless he finds something of God in his father."

But back to my original question. . . "How would you describe God?" While I was preparing last week's message, I read a verse that I have read many times before. But this time, a short simple phrase jumped off the page at me. The verse was Hebrews 1:3 which says, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being..." Let that sink in. . . "the exact representation of His being." We don't have to guess or speculate on what God is like, He has provided us with an "exact representation of His being." So if you have wondered what God is really like, then look no further than Jesus.

"For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)