God is...

Sometimes I wonder if the main reason for not believing in God is a misconception of who God is. 

In hopes of clearing up some of the confusion, using the Bible as a reference, I offer the following 5 thoughts about God.

1. God isn't political.

It's an election year in the United States, so naturally, most of the candidates for national office are going to offer their take on the subject. Or at least try to court various types of believers or denominations. It goes with the territory.

However, there is nothing in the Bible that would even remotely support God being seen as a Republican, Democrat or Independent. God isn't a respecter of persons, or political parties. (2 Chron. 19.7; Acts 10.34)

2. God is not for or against any particular country.

This point naturally flows from #1. 

If God isn't a respecter of people (as in playing favorites),then it would follow that God doesn't favor one nation over another. (Is. 40.17)

Any nation that stumbles into sin is risking God's judgment. It may not be a popular thing to say, but it's necessary. 

If a country thinks it has a special relationship with God, and uses that supposed relationship to excuse or deny bad behavior, it's only asking for trouble. (Isaiah does a great job of documenting God's take on this.)

3. God does the judging, not us.

If the first two points are true, then it makes sense that we shouldn't spend time judging others - be it people or nations. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't stand up against ungodly behavior. But it does mean we shouldn't waste time judging. (See the book of Job to see how this works out).

Speaking out against bad behavior is necessary, but it's different than judging. Most often the best thing we can do to eliminate bad behavior is to show by example what good behavior looks like. 

God is more interested in working with us to rectify wrongs, not judging them. (Isaiah 58.9-11 offers the classic take on this.)

4. God never meant for women to be held back in society.

God's Son was quick to point out the hypocrisy of men holding women to a double-standard. (See John 8). God is especially concerned for women who have no possible means of support due to their position in society. (There are both Old and New Testament references for this). 

The first person who encountered Jesus after He was resurrected from the dead was a woman (Matt. 28.1-8; Mark 16.9-10; Luke 24.1-10; John 20.11-16). 

This single fact speaks volumes about the importance of women in God's eyes.

5. God goes way beyond our own ability to understand.

Study is good. Analysis is essential. But when it comes to the subject of the Creator of the Universe, so is humility.

God's Son sent the Holy Spirit to help us understand (John 16.12). One of the chief functions of the Holy Spirit is to guide followers of God's Son and help them know God and God's Son. 

This isn't to say that we should neglect theological study. But at the end of the day, there is more to faith than what can be logically understood.

As always, I'm curious to know: What do you think? Feel free to comment.

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