Introduction
Who is God?? Having a fundamental understanding of what God is like is crucial for the Christian life.? How can we say we know Jesus when we don?t know who God is?? Some believe that we can never know God because he is well beyond human comprehension.? However, the Bible shows us that we can know God. We can know about God through his creation and the revelation of him and his interaction with people recorded in the bible.? We can also know him through revelation through Jesus Christ (Christ said if you know him, you know the father ? John 14:7).
The purpose of this study is to answer the question, who is God?? After going through this study, I hope that you will have a deeper understanding of who God is, what he is like, and how he interacts with us.
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The Wrong Perception of God
I have found that many people have the wrong picture of God.? The picture that is painted for us by religion seems to be much different than who God is based on his revelation to us in the Holy Scriptures.? For example, some people think that God is a great genie in the sky who will grant the wishes of his faithful servants.? God is presented as the all-powerful being who will come and rescue us from all harm and danger if we ask him or demonstrate our great faith.? However, the bible doesn?t paint a picture like that of God.? If we would look at the bible as the true revelation of God to us then we would get a much different picture of God and it would be much more accurate?and real to say the least.
Perhaps we are afraid to believe that isn?t the great genie in the sky who will grant our every wish.? Perhaps we want to hold on to our fantasy of a yielding God (yielding to our wishes and desires).? What may be most frightful of all is that perhaps we will still experience hardships on this earth even though God is loving and omnipotent.? This last point is something that many people have trouble with, including me at one point in my life.? How can an all powerful, all knowing, and all-seeing God not come to the aid of his faithful servants and rescue them from all calamities?including financial distress, physical peril, natural disasters and more?
I believe that once you have a more accurate picture of who God is then those questions will be resolved and you can live life on this earth in peace knowing that God loves us (he said so in John 3:16) and that he is indeed the creator of the universe (See Genesis 1:1, Psalm 24:1).? However, it is important for us to know who God is in order for us to relate to him appropriately.? For example, it is useless to approach God as if he owes you something or that he must do what you say to honor your great faith.? The bible doesn?t reveal a God like that to us so it would truly be senseless and a waste of time to approach him that way.? God is not what we make him.? He IS.
This study is a presentation of what I have learned in my quest to know more about God so that I could relate to him much better and much more accurately based on his word.? My quest continues and I pray that you will join me on the quest to know God.
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The Existence of God
How do you know there is a God?? Most Christians know that there is a God because of personal experiences with Him (getting them out of trouble, delivering them from death, etc.).? However, how do we know that God even exists objectively?? How could you explain to someone who doesn?t believe in God that God does exist?? The following are arguments that we can use to provide evidence for the existence of God.? Let me first say this.? We cannot prove that there is a God.? Even if God appeared directly to someone there is no guarantee that the person would believe that it was God.? The best we can do is to show someone evidence that points to the existence of God.
We should also note that know that God exists is not the same thing as knowing God.? Many religions believe that there is a god, but none of them know who God is.? Knowing God is personal and we can only get to know him by seeking him ourselves.
Now let’s look at some arguments for the existence of God.
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The Universal Argument
This argument holds that all humans have some type of awareness that there is a God.? They may not know who He is or even cares about Him, but they do have some awareness or unction that there is a god out there (something or someone that is greater than us).? Deep inside of each person, this argument holds, there is an intrinsic knowledge of god, i.e., that he exists.? The word ?god? here is used to refer to a Supreme Being and not necessarily to the God of the Holy Bible.
This argument doesn?t work very well when we are trying to show someone that God exists.? First of all, it is relatively very subjective.? What if I don?t have that awareness of a god or what if I associate that awareness to something else?an awareness of the universe for example.
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Cosmological Argument
This argument comes from the idea that for every effect there must be a cause. This concept will lead one to show that God is the master ?causer.?? God is the Supreme Being that initiated the first cause of an effect.? See Isaiah 40:26 and Psalm 147:4.? This argument also suggests that God is transcendent of all that exists (all that He created).? The cosmological argument also implies that God is not limited.? If God were limited then there would be something greater than He, which would not put God transcendent over everything.? This also suggests that God is Himself causeless, which means that there is nothing that caused His existence.? God is therefore infinite in existence.
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God is Revealed In Nature
Some believe that nature provides evidence of God?s existence.? If we examine nature we see that there must be a God.
Psalm 19:1-4 (NKJV) — {1} To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. {2} Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. {3} There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. {4} Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Romans 1:19-20 (NKJV) — {19} because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. {20} For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
The Bible declares that God has made himself known to us through the things that He created.? This does not tell us about God?s person, but it does give us clues as to such things as his power, creativity, care for details, etc.
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Scripture References
The following are some scripture references pertaining to the identity of God.
- 1 Kings 8:23 (NKJV) — {23} and he said: ?Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.
- Psalm 14:1 (NKJV) — {1} To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart,?There is no God.? They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
- Psalm 53:1 (NKJV) — {1} To the Chief Musician. Set to ?Mahalath.? A Contemplation of David. The fool has said in his heart,?There is no God.? They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.
- Isaiah 43:10-13 (NKJV) — {10} ?You are My witnesses,? says the Lord, ?And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. {11} I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior. {12} I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,? Says the Lord, ?that I am God. {13} Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it??
- Isaiah 44:6 (NKJV) — {6} ?Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ?I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.
- Isaiah 45:5-7 (NKJV) — {5} I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, {6} That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; {7} I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.?
- Hosea 13:4 (NKJV) — {4} ?Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me.
It is interesting that the Bible does not try to prove that there is a God, though it gives insights into his existence.? For example, the Bible begins with ?In the Beginning God?? It doesn?t tell us who this God is or where he comes from.? We are left to assume the existence of this God that created everything.? However, throughout the Bible and even in science we have much evidence for the existence of God.? Again this does not tell us who he is, but rather that he merely exists.
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Who Is God?
The first thing that I like to do in any study is to define what I am studying.? What does the word ?God? mean?? When the people who wrote the scriptures in the bible used the word ?God,? what were they referring to.? If I know what was in their minds when they referenced to ?God? then I can get a better idea of who God is and what he is to me.
The word ?god? according to the Webster’s dictionary means a being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions.? The word perfect indicates that the word god identifies a being that is without defect.? Omnipotent refers to his infinite power, sovereignty, and supremacy.? Omniscient refers to his presence everywhere and knowing everything (all knowing, all seeing, all wise).
My Bible dictionary says God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth (faithfulness).
I also know that God is the creator of all things.? God is the father of all.? Now let’s put these definitions together to pinpoint what is meant by god and to identify our God.
There is another point that I?d like to make based on the Webster?s Dictionary definition of the word ?god.?? It makes the point that the definition pertains to monotheistic religions.? I think that is important because the gods of a polytheistic religion cannot be omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent since there are multiple gods.
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The Definition of God The Father
?There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things in according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.? (Westminster Catechism).
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GOD IDENTIFIED
Who is God?? What is meant by this question?? Let’s say someone says to you “who is Bill Clinton?”? You would say “the President of the United States.”? What if someone asks you “Who is Michael Jordan?”? You would probably say something like “He is probably the greatest basketball player ever.”? However, your answer would be much different if you these people personally.? Yes, you may say that Bill Clinton is the president of the United States but you may add that he is a good administrator or an excellent family man.? Why?? You know him personally.? The same applies to Michael Jordan.? You may also say that he is an excellent father and husband or something like that.? The thing is, you not only know about him but you also know him personally.?
Now, what if someone asks you “Who is God?”? What would you say?? As I said before, we know a lot about faith, love, and other things OF God but do we know God and who he is?? That is, we know much about God but we don’t know him.? Do we have a personal relationship with God?? Do we have a revelation of his identity or do we just know a lot about him?? Yes, I know that Bill Clinton is the president of the United States and yes I know that Michael Jordan is probably the greatest basketball player that ever lived.? However, I do not know them personally.? So my question to you, “Who is God?”,? is a two-dimensional question which therefore has a two-dimensional answer.? We have to know who God is as far as identity and we have to know who he is personally.? That is, who he is to you.
Let’s first see what the bible has to say about the identity of God.? Who is God?
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God Is A Spirit
The bible says
- John 4:24 (NKJV) — {24} God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.?
- 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV) — {17} Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
- 1 Timothy 1:17 (NKJV) — {17} Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
What does Jesus tell us here about God?? First, we see that God is Spirit.? What is Spirit?? In this case, the word spirit identifies God as a non-physical being.?? God is a spiritual being.? He is not bound by time and space as we are in our physical world.? Therefore, when we relate to God we have to relate to him as a spiritual being and not one that is physical. This is why Jesus told the Samaritan women that we must worship him in spirit and in truth.? That is we have to worship him (a special case of relating to him) spiritually and in truth.? The term “in truth” implies non-fiction or real.? That is we have to relate to God as though he is real.? Just as real as any other person you know.
One great problem that we have to deal with is religion.? It is because of religious training and/or ignorance that we try to relate to God mentally (psychologically) and physically.? We try to show our devotion to him by such trivial things as the length of time we stay at church on Sundays, how many Sundays we attend church in a year, not doing this and doing that.? We also learn to have a form of righteousness by religion.? You can’t relate to God this way.? The way to relate to God is spiritually because God is a spirit or more accurately – He is Spirit.? We have to always realize that God is a spirit and that we have to relate to him that way.
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God Is Love
The bible says,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.? Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.? Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”? – 1 John 4:7,8 (NIV)
and
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.? God is love.? Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” – 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
This shows us that God is love and love comes from God.? We must consider that the love referred to here is agape love.?? This agape love is the love that God has for us.? God radiates who/what he is.? He is love so love is what comes from him.? What bible principle can you think of that supports this phenomenon (See Matthew 7:16-20).
If God is love then what is love so that we can know God better.? The Greek word here is agape which means affection or benevolence, charity, dear, love, good-will.? The very nature of God is love.? He is benevolent and affectionate towards all people.? Let’s look at another scripture.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.? If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.? If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” -1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)
Read the entire thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians.? The above-quoted verses illustrate the need for a revelation of who God is.? We can have great faith, be able to prophesy, and can speak in tongues.? However, if we don’t know God and His abiding in us then we have nothing.? All becomes vanity.? Why?? Without love then all things are done out of context.? All things are done with the wrong motive or cloudy incomplete motives.? We need God who is love.? All things are done by love.? The bible even says that faith works by love.? Love is the medium.? Love is the pathway that all things work.? We need God.? We need love.
Paul then goes on to define love for us – how convenient.? Let’s look at what he says.
“Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.? It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.? Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.? It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.? Love never fails . . . .” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)
If love is God and the scripture above defines love, then God is that.? God is patient, kind, doesn’t envy, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, doesn’t delight in evil, rejoices in truth, protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres and never fails.? This is God.? Know this and know God.? This is the very nature of God.? Meditate on this and know God.? God is love.
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God Is The Father
On many occasions in the bible God is called father.? What does this mean exactly?? What is the actual definition of the word father and how does it apply to God?? The word father in the New Testament comes from the Greek word pater which means: generator or male ancestor, the originator and transmitter of anything, the author of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself, one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds, nourisher, protector, upholder.? In short, we can say that God is the source and upholder of everything.
God specifically is our heavenly father.? He is our father in heaven since he is a Spirit.? Jesus said in his model prayer to his disciples “Our Father who is in heaven.” which identified God as the father in heaven.? Our fathers on earth are the source of our physical being and not our total (spiritual) being.? Remember that all things originate from the spirit so that though God is spirit, even physical things originate from him.? Let’s look at some scripture references of God being our father.
Scripture References On God Our Father
- “You, O LORD, are our Father, Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name” – Isaiah 63:16 (NKJV)
- “Our Father in heaven Hallowed be Your name.” – Matthew 6:9 (NKJV)
- “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.? Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” – Matthew 11:27 (NKJV)
- “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” – Matthew 23:9 (NKJV)
Jesus was not in any way belittling our natural fathers in the latter.? The rabbis used the word father to denote an outstanding rabbi.? They used it, in other words, as a title of distinction and not in its true meaning.? Jesus was just focusing their attention on God our heavenly Father.
- “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world.? Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” – John 16:28 (NKJV)
- “. . .one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” – Ephesians 4:6 (NKJV)
Note that Paul says “God and Father.”? This tells me that God is God and he is the Father.? We already saw that the word God identifies the supreme, sovereign spiritual being.? We also see that God is the Father, the source of all things.? That is why Paul distinguishes the two:? God and Father.
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God Is The Creator
God is, of course, the creator of all things.? The bible says “IN THE beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
The bible also tells us,?”In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” – Psalms 102:25
“Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning?? I, the LORD-with the first of them and with the last-I am he.” – Isaiah 20:23 (NIV)
We also see from Genesis 1 that God created all of the plants, animals, and humans on the earth.? God created everything and everything came forth from him.? He is the originator and creator of all that exists.? Therefore, our heavenly father is the grand creator of everything – the entire universe.
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The Names Of God
Names serve to identify a person.? In the Bible, names represented the person.? A person?s name identified not only the person but who they were.? The names of God are as follows:
- Elohim:? Refers to God?s power and might ((Psalm 19:1, Genesis 1:1)
- Elyon:? The strongest strong One (Genesis 14:17-20)
- El Roi: The strong One who sees (Genesis 16:13)
- El Shaddai: The breasted One – refers to God?s provision
- ElOlam:? The everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28-31)
- Adonia:? Master, Lord (discussed later in this study)
- Jehovah:? The self-existent One, the God of the covenant (discussed later in this study)
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God Is Called ‘I AM WHO I AM’ – LORD
Let’s look at a passage of scripture.
Exodus 3:13-15 (NKJV) — {13} Then Moses said to God, ?Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ?The God of your fathers has sent me to you,? and they say to me, ?What is His name?? what shall I say to them?? {14} And God said to Moses, ?I AM WHO I AM.? And He said, ?Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ?I AM has sent me to you.? ? {15} Moreover God said to Moses, ?Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ?The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.?
Deuteronomy 28:58 (NKJV) — {58} ?If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD,
“I AM WHO I AM” is a revelation of the nature of God.? God is not bound by a name or description so to speak.? He simply ?IS.?? He is infinite and boundless and we cannot comprehend this because we are finite.
Throughout history, the proper pronunciation of the Hebrew word YHWH, the most intimate and personal name of God in the Old Testament, has been lost.? ‘Jehovah’ is a spelling that developed from combining the consonants of the name with the vowels of a word for ‘LORD’ (Adonai).? ‘Yahweh’ is probably the original pronunciation.? Who is God?? God is LORD.? The word Lord basically means ruler, controller.
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God Is Holy
The bible says
“Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.”- Psalms 99:9 (NIV)
This verse tells us that God is holy.? What does holy means so that we can get even a better understanding of who God is?? The word holy means sacred, regarded with or deserving of worship or veneration, revered, deserving or regarded with special reverence or respect.? God is indeed holy.? Just to think that we were made in his image.? We were at one point sacred to God.? However, sin separated us from that holiness and but us in a state of unrighteousness.? Thank God for salvation so that we can be joined to our heavenly and holy father.
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God is Omnipresent
God’s presence is everywhere at all times.? There is not a place that you can go in heaven or earth where God’s presence does not exist.
Psalm 139:7-12 (NKJV) — {7} Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? {8} If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. {9} If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, {10} Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. {11} If I say, ?Surely the darkness shall fall on me,? Even the night shall be light about me; {12} Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
Jeremiah 23:24 (NKJV) — {24} Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?? says the Lord; ?Do I not fill heaven and earth?? says the Lord.
God’s presence is everywhere.? His spirit inhabits all creation.? There is no place in all of creation that you can go to and say to yourself “The LORD God is not here.”? God is omnipresent – he is everywhere all of the time.? God is not limited by time and space.? He sees things in a dimension that we couldn’t even comprehend with our limited minds.? This is why it is so important to just trust God because he sees everything.? We can only respond based on the information that we see before us.? However, God sees a lot more than what we physically see or experience.
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God Is Omniscient
God knows all things.? There is nothing in the entire universe that can be known that God doesn’t know.? God has all knowledge and all wisdom about all things.? The bible says
“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” – Psalm 147:5
If I need to know something or how to do something then all I need do is go to God.? He knows everything.? He understands everything and knows how everything functions.? After all, he created everything.? Therefore, even the knowledge and wisdom that you need is in God so all you have to do is go to him and receive it.? God knows the best way (most effective according to his will or your well being) to do something.? Therefore, it would benefit us if we just go to God to get what we need because he knows – he sees.
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God Is Omnipotent
God has all power.? There is no power in heaven and earth that is greater than God.? The bible says
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia:? for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” – Revelation 19:6
“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.'” – Revelations 1:8
See also Revelation 4:8, and Genesis 17:1;25:11
The word almighty means having absolute power, omnipotent.? When you see the word almighty in the bible it is usually referring to the omnipotent God.
Your heavenly father has all (absolute, complete) power over all of creation.? Just think that he is YOUR heavenly father.? He can command anything into existence for you because he has all power.? He can do anything for you because he has all the power.? He can protect you and provide for you because he has all the power.? He can prosper you because he has all the power.? Do you see?? Why fear?? Your heavenly father, the one who loves you, has absolute and complete power.? There is nothing or no one greater than Almighty God.
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God Is our Daddy
It is important that God is personal to you.? God has to be real to you.? He is more than the ‘big guy in the sky.’? He is even more than just the omnipotent one.? He is your personal heavenly father.? He is your daddy.? The bible says
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him, “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you.? Take this cup from me.? Yet not what I will, but what you will.? – Mark 14:36 (NIV)
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.? And by him we cry, ‘Abba Father.’ – Romans 8:15
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’? So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. – Galatians 4:6,7 (NIV)
We have the Spirit of God in us and that Spirit cries out “Abba, Father.”? The phrase Abba Father is an expression of an especially close relationship to God.? It is Aramaic for Father.? It is obvious that the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ have a close relationship with God.? Therefore, since we too have the same Spirit, we also have a close relationship (active relationship or fellowship) with God our heavenly father.? We need to have the knowledge of this and then live our life as if it is true since it is.
If only we could realize how close we are to God.? If only we could realize how close we are to the almighty, all present, all powerful, all loving heavenly father.? What a revelation that would be if we could walk closer and closer in that love that God has for us.? If only we could see how much we mean to him (else he wouldn’t have saved us).? Our life would change.? Imagine how you would feel next to your natural father if he was a billionaire and the president of the United States.? Imagine that father loving you absolutely with his heart.? You would feel totally secure, protected, provided for and more.? If you can think of an earthling like this, then how much more should we think of our heavenly father how provides for the natural dad.? Do you see?? Meditate on that until it is real to you.? See yourself loved by your heavenly father and walk in that love.? See yourself in his arms and stay there and live to your fullest.
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God Is Good
What does the word good mean? The word good means Of moral excellence: upright, benevolent: kind.? God is kind and he looks out for his people.? He desires the best for us and he wants us for himself.? God is indeed good.? The bible says
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. – 1?Chronicles?16:34 (NIV)
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. – Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
All that is good derives from God (remember that God is the source of all).? That is why Jesus said that there is only one who is good (Matthew 19:17).
A person is not good because they do good things just as a person is not righteous because they do righteous things.? A person is good because the goodness of God (God himself) dwells in his heart.? A good person does good things out of the goodness of his heart.? God is good all of the time.
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Transcendent
God transcends all that exists.? God even transcends time.? It is difficult for humans to think of an existence without thinking of time.? However, time is defined relative to a cause and effect happening.? God is outside of everything that exists.
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Jehovah
Let’s take a moment and talk about “Jehovah.”? God is called Jehovah on many occasions.? Is that his name?? Did God call himself Jehovah?? The name Jehovah is the English rendering of the Hebrew tetragram (word of four letters) Yhwh, one of the names of God (See Exodus 17:15).? The original pronunciation of the tetragram is unknown.? The Jews took seriously the third commandment which states “Thou shalt not take the name of LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7).? Therefore, to keep from speaking the name of God carelessly (in vain), they decided not to pronounce it at all.? Whenever the cam across the name of God while reading, they would speak the word Adonai which means “Lord.”? Later the vowel points were added to the Hebrew consonantal text, the Massoretes (Jewish scribes) inserted into the Hebrew consonantal text the vowels for Adonai.? Therefore, the modern reconstruction of the name of God is Yahweh and Jehovah.
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What God is Called
The bible contains ten combinations of the word Jehovah or the name of God.?? I want to look at five of them which directly identifies God and his activity in our lives.
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Jehovah -Ropheka
This means “Jehovah that healeth thee.”? God is the healer.? He is our healer.? He is my healer.? He is your healer.? Say it out loud.? “God is my healer.”? meditate on that and get it deep in your spirit and mind.? Let that fact be real to you.? Things has to be real to us In order for us to respond to something and believe it.? Let’s look at what the bible says
And he said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.”
So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water, And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. – Exodus 23:25 (NKJV)
?Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, . . . .? – Psalm 106:2-3 (NKJV)
?But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.? – Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
?who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.? – 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)
Note that Jesus Christ did the will of God on the earth.? Jesus Christ showed the people the kingdom of God.? Jesus himself said that if you have seen him then you have seen the father (John 14:9).? Therefore, God was only demonstrating his being our healer by Jesus Christ going around healing all those who were sick.? This is why we can be healed (can receive the healing we already have) in the name of Jesus Christ or by his authority.? So you see that God is indeed your healer.? Let’s all eat that, digest that, and let that spirit assimilated in our being.? So again, GOD IS YOUR HEALER so let him be that in your life.
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Jehovah-Meqaddeshkem
This means “Jehovah who sanctifies you”? The Bible says
“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying; Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” – Exodus 31:13 (NKJV)
The word sanctify means to make holy, to make free from sin, to purify, to set apart as holy, to consecrate, to make sacred.? The main point I want to show here is that it is God that sanctifies us.? He sanctified the people of Israel so that they could partake in God’s holy day: The Sabbath.? The Sabbath wasn’t holy because they observed it.? They were able to observe it because God made them holy to do so.? God sanctified them.? We are not sanctified by actions, activities, or works.? We are simply sanctified by God.
Therefore, realize that your sanctification came from God if you are a member of the family of Christ (born again).? You are righteous and not by your acts or works but by faith in Jesus Christ.? God made you righteous.? God has already sanctified you, that is set you apart from the world as a holy vessel.? This is why God can tell us not to fellowship with the world.? We have been set apart from the world as Holy and righteous before God.? Do you see?? The main thing to realize here is that God sanctifies us and he has done so already to those who are in Christ.
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Jehovah-roi
This means “Jehovah, my shepherd”.? What is a shepherd?? A shepherd is one who guides (leads) and protects.? Note what David says in the Psalms.
?The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.? He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.? He restores my soul;? He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.? Yea , though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me . . . .? – Psalm 23:1-4
Note the reference to leading and protection.? The shepherd used the rod to protect and the staff to lead or guide the sheep.
It is God who leads and guides you.? God is your leader.? Where is God leading you?? He is leading you to the fulfillment of His purpose for your life.? Jesus Christ leads us to God and ministers (pastors, evangelists, teachers, etc.) lead us to Christ.? However, ultimately God is the leader by His Holy Spirit.? The bible says
?However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. . . .? – John 16:13 (NKJV)
Do you need guidance in your life?? Do you know which way to turn and which way to go?? Do you know what to pursue and what to let go?? You can be sure of doing the right thing by staying with God.? He, by his Holy Spirit, will lead you to what God has in store for you.
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God Is
We have seen in this study who the bible says that God is.? We have examined several aspects of God’s identity.? Know we have to personalize what we have learned about God and our revelation of God himself.? All of the knowledge you have of God will be useless unless God is personal to you.? Who is God to you?? It may help your understanding to say what is God to you?? However, because I don’t want God to appear as a tool in a tool box that you use when needed, I say “who is God to you.”? Let’s just list some confirmations to illustrate this aspect of God.? Note that there will be many more of who God is to you since God will be personal to you.? So just complete the list in your own study time and let God indeed be those things to you.?
I must reiterate that you do not want to treat God as though he is a genie that you call on when needed.? He is a real person.? He is real.? He loves you and wants your fellowship.? Therefore, let God be these things for you but don’t make him to be these THINGS.? Do you see?
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God is Our Protector
There are many scriptures where God is identified as the protector.? God protects those who trust him because we, by trusting him, allow him to.? God will never force himself on anyone.? Either you let God be Your God or you let him stand by and watch you take care of things on your own.? The bible says
?I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust? – Psalm 91:2 (NKJV)
A refuge is like a safe place and a fortress protects what is within its borders.
See also 2 Chronicles 12:1-8; Psalm 17; Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm chapters 56 and 27.
Let’s put this protection in perspective.? You can’t go anywhere you want and do anything you want to do and then expect God to protect you.? Remember that God is not a genie.? You have the responsibility to walk in obedience to God and he will do exactly what he promised.? Therefore, you can be sure that you will be protected from those things that will destroy you and keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose for you.
You do not have to fear danger because God, by his Holy Spirit, protects you from evil.? Fear, however, can put you outside of God’s protection by disobedience.? See the study on The Effects Of Fear for more information on this.? God will also protect your health, money, life, and more.? Do you see?? Don’t limit God by thinking that his protection is for when you are walking down the street at night or something like that.? God’s protection involves all aspects of your life.
How Does God Protect?
Remember that God is a spirit and therefore whatever he does originates in the spirit realm.? I can’t say how God will protect you in each and every situation.? There are no patterns that God has that I know of.? God can cause things to happen that will keep danger from you.? He can tell you to go a certain way so that you avoid danger in the first place.? I believe that there is always activity in the spirit realm reinforcing your protection as well as other things.
I believe that a major form of protection comes from listening and responding to what God tells you.? We have to be sensitive to the Spirit.? For example, God may tell you to go another way home from work because there is danger on your usual route.? If you are not sensitive to his Spirit then you may run right into trouble.? Also sometimes (probably many times) we do not activate that spiritual protection made available to us by God our Father.? There are many dangers that we have avoided and not even known it.? What if God told you to do something and you did it.? You have no idea of the consequences of going the other way.? You simply did as God told you and everything seems normal.
Let’s look at how the bible says we will be protected by God.? The bible says . . . .
?He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.? I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”? Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.? He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;? his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.? – Psalm 91:1-4 (NIV)
See also Psalm 36:7, 57:1, 61:4, and 63:7
This scripture tells us a lot of how God protects.? First you have to dwell in God’s shelter (protection).? It is our responsibility to be where God’s protection is.? Do you see that?? It is not automatic that you are protected unless you are dwelling where his protection is.? If you dwell in his protection then you can rest in it.? The word shadow here is a Hebrew metaphor for protection against oppression – as shade protects from the oppressive desert heat.? Another thing that we see is that it is necessary to trust God.? You can’t be protected by God and not trust him.? If you don not trust God then you are prone to go outside of his shelter (I call this going outside of the house).? Therefore, Trust and faith in God is crucial to your being protected by him or realizing his protection.
Now we see how God protects once we have done our part (trust and dwell).? The scripture above says that God will cover us with his feathers (the feathers of his wings) and under his wings we will find safety or refuge.? That is it!? God will cover you with his wings.? Don’t shout Halleluia so fast.? What is meant by his wings so that you know where to dwell because under his wings is where the protection is.? Remember what we said earlier?? Wings is a metaphor for the protective outreach of God’s power.? Is there any power greater than God?? No because he is omnipotent.? Therefore you can rest in the absolute power of God.? Who can touch you there.? Nothing can harm you if you are in God’s protective power.? Also note that God will do his part once you have done your part.? Once you trust him and dwell in his protection, he will protect you by His Almighty power.
What is God’s power so that you know where to go and dwell?? The bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that Jesus Christ is the power of God.? Therefore I want to abide or dwell in Christ.? We also know that Jesus Christ is the word of God made flesh (See John 1:14).? Therefore, to abide in Christ is to abide in the word of God.? Another reason why bible study is so important. ?I should also add that the words of God is Spirit so to dwell in his word is to dwell in his Spirit.
The bible also tells us that the gospel is the power of God (See Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18).? The gospel is the God news of the anointing of Christ and of salvation.? The good news produces a living hope by salvation (being born again).? However, this power is realized by faith.? Again a confirmation of the fact that our protection is realized by us by faith in God.? So we see that to rest in God’s power is to rest in his word and let the Spirit of God do His work in and for us.
We also see in Psalm 91 that God’s faithfulness will be our shield and rampart.? A rampart is a fortification composed of an elevation or embankment, often provided with a parapet (a low protective railing or wall on the embankment).? You see here that it is God who will do the actual protection.? His faithfulness will be our protection.? God is faithful.? All we have to do is trust him and believe that he is faithful to his word and we will remain in is protective arms.? Do you see?
So then how does God protect us?? By covering us with his power: His Spirit.? We have to trust him and dwell in his spirit in order to realize this protection else we risk stepping outside of his protection.? Yes God is indeed your protection and you can see how.
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God is Our Strength
You may know from the bible or your personal experience that God is your strength.? God provides the strength you need at each moment to accomplish the task before you.? David said
“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”???? 2 Samuel 22:33 (NIV)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” – Psalm?73:26 (NIV)
“An the LORD shall help them and deliver them. . . . ” – Psalm 37:40a
The “them” referred to in this scripture is the righteous (see verse 39).
Again, God is our strength.? Strength is the quality of being strong or capable of exerting force or power. You have to realize again that God is Spirit.? God is not your strength to lift up 100 pounds.? That is physical strength which comes with muscular training.? God provides spiritual strength.? This is the strength needed to reach a goal (overcome a milestone, perform a task, resist temptation, etc.).? Where do you look when you need strength.? Most of the time we look in our own capabilities and abilities for strength.? Many times we look to others for strength or a way out.? We should look to God for strength because he is our strength.
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How Do I Receive Or Realize God’s Strength?
By Faith.? I have learned that when we receive something from God, who is Spirit, we will not necessarily feel any different even in our thinking.? If I believe that I receive something from God then it is so.? Now if I have faith in God,? then I should start acting like it.? If I believer that I have received strength from God then I will stop wondering how I will be able to do something and just realize that I can do it because I have already overcome by the power (activated strength) of God.? That is, I have what I need to experience my conquest though I don’t feel anything different.? So we have to receive strength from God by faith.? Just believe and you will receive.? Also, confess those things that you believer.? This sets the spiritual realm in motion according to your confession.
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God is With Us
There is one thing that is extremely important that you must know.? God is with you all of the time and therefore we should be with him all of the time.? Just because God is with you, that is, his presence is near, doesn’t mean that you are with him, that is, to be acting according to his purpose.? The bible says
“The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”??? – Psalm 46:7 (NIV)
and Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham,
“God is with you in everything you do” – Genesis 21:22 (NIV)
One thing is for sure and that is that you are never alone.? God is always there with you.? Remember that he is omnipresent.? There is no place that you can go and be separated from his presence.? When you need him he is right there.? When you want to talk to them his ear is near.?
The bible also records Samuel telling Saul,
“Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” – 1 Samuel 10:7
There is one thing that I can say about God being with us:? We will prosper in what we do.? Jesus told his disciples, which also applies to us since it is one Spirit,
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. . . .” – John 14:15 (NIV)
So always realize that God is with you and therefore do not fear or be anxious about what is before you.? The God who created all things is with you to help you experience his goodness.
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God is Our Helper
The bible says,
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” – Psalm 54:4 (NIV)
“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” – Psalm 33:20 (NIV)
“I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?? My help comes from the LORD the Maker of heaven and earth” – Psalm 121:1,2 (NIV)
Know that your help comes from God and not from man.? Yes man may be the medium that your help travels but ultimately it comes from God.? Man will let you down but God remains faithful.? The bible says,
“Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.” – Psalm 108:12 (NIV)
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” – Psalm 118:8 (NIV)
It is all a matter of focus.? Who do you focus on or where do you focus?? Are you focusing on man (people) or are you focusing on God?? If you focus on God then you will experience your victory all of the time.? If you focus on man, you will only be as victorious as the faithfulness of the person or his/her abilities.? In addition to that, you probably won’t hear God instructing you (you are not on his station).? Therefore, realize that your help comes from the LORD.
Also, you should realize that you may not see how you will be helped or you may not see any way out of your situation.? Don’t worry.? Trust God who is well able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or think (See Ephesians 3:20).? God is your helper so let him be that in your life by faith.
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God is Our Deliverer (Salvation)
Who do you call when times get tough?? Who do you call when you are bound?? You call God who is your salvation or deliverer.? People cannot deliver you absolutely.? It is God who is the ultimate deliverer.? People are just the medium through whom God works or operates.? In other words, God works through people.? The bible says,
“My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.? Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” – Psalm 62:7,8 (NIV)
Do not concern yourself with how God will deliver you.? Just have faith in him to deliver you and you will experience that deliverance.? One thing that God has definitely delivered us from is the bondage of sin, if you are saved.? In the same way he can deliver us from sin, he can deliver us from all things and he has.
The Psalm tells us,
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble.? And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked And save them, Because they trust in Him.” – Psalm 37:39,40 (NKJV)
This scripture plainly tells us that our salvation, or deliverance, comes from God.? So look to God when you need deliverance.
See also? Psalm 40:17, 70:5, and 18:2
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God is Merciful
?The bible says
“Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful”????? Psalm 116:5 (NKJV)
“But God, who is rich in mercy . . . . ” – Ephesians 2:4a (NKJV)
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” – Psalm 103:8 (NKJV)
“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him” – Psalm 103:11 (NKJV)
Note that the NIV bible uses the word love instead of mercy.? The amplified uses the phrase “mercy and loving-kindness.”? However, they all say the same thing. The word mercy means forbearance from inflicting punishment upon an adversary or a law-breaker; that compassion which causes one to help the weak, the sick or the poor.? We can easily see how love covers this.? One has mercy because of love.? If God didn’t have mercy on us, then we all would probably be dead.? I often ask myself why didn’t God just destroy Adam and Eve and start all over again.? I ask God sometimes why he loves people so much even when so many of his own creation doesn’t even recognize him.? The answer is that God just loves.? He is love and, because of that love, he is very merciful.
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God Doesn’t Show Favoritism
God does not love anyone over another.? He does not have favorite people as in being biased.? God, however, is a respecter of faith.? He responds to our faith.? Therefore, you are just as valuable to God as any minister, evangelist, preacher, teacher, or anyone.? God does not look at you as though you are inferior, though we may.? God looks at you as being his child, if indeed you are saved.? The bible says
“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.'” – Acts 10:34 (NKJV)
God does not show favoritism so get rid of your inferior complex and be who God made you be.? Sometimes we may believe that the reason that a person is prosperous is that they are a minister, preacher, pastor, or something like that.? We think because they have a position in ministry that God favors them.? This is not true.? God extends to each of us grace (which is undeserved favor).? The only thing that he respects is faith which is obedience to his word.? There is no favoritism in God!
You may also believe that God may favor someone above you because they have more skills than you.? Again, not so.? All of our abilities and knowledge come from God.? God gives each of us abilities to carry out his purpose.? Each tool in the toolbox has its own specific purpose and no one tool is greater or more valuable than the other as far as the job is concerned.? We are all members of the body of Christ and we all have a part to fulfill.? We are all like tools that God uses to accomplish his objective.? So do not think that God favors someone above you.? You are only looking at things in the wrong perspective.? God sees the whole “project” and you don’t.
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God is a Jealous God
The bible says,
“you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.? For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. . . . ” – Exodus 20:5 (NKJV)
“For you shall worship no other god; for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous-impassioned-God” – Exodus 34:14 (Amplified)
The word jealous used in this scripture means:? demanding exclusive loyalty.? Therefore, when God said he was jealous, he was only saying (as he already did) that he wants total allegiance or loyalty from the people.? He didn’t want them to worship any other God.? It had to be him only – He was jealous.? Do you see?? It does not mean that God resented them or suspected them or even was protecting his reputation.? It only means that God wanted total loyalty.? Again, God only wants his people back (from Satan).
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The Trinity
There is much teaching about the concept of the Trinity.? However, what does the Bible teach us about the Trinity?? Is there such a thing?? Is it just a religious theology and philosophy or is it real?? Some religions believer in the Trinity and others do not.? Some people consider the belief of this trinity doctrine to be a key to the faith.? For example, some people will question your salvation if you do not believe in the Trinity.? I have my own belief about the Trinity and as usual, I deal with principles and not superficial thoughts and doctrines.? What is important to me, and should be for you, is the word of God.? With that said let’s see what the Bible has to say about the Trinity.
The doctrine of the Trinity states that the Godhead is composed of three persons:? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.? These three are one and equal but different manifestations or operations of God.? That is, God is composed of three separate yet equal persons.? Some believe that these persons are the same but different manifestations of God.? Others believe that they are different operations of God but not the same person.
The Trinity is said to be a mystery to us and is therefore hard to understand.? I say that the reason the trinity is hard to understand is that we have complicated and categorized something so simple that it has become unrecognizable.? What, however, does the bible say about this DOCTRINE.?? Doctrine because that is all that it is.? The bible says,
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:? That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” – 2 Timothy 3:16,17
The word doctrine means Something taught, a principle or body of principles presented by a specific field, system, or organization for acceptance or belief, a rule or principle of law.? Doctrines are therefore beliefs that organizations, in this case, denominations of churches, accept and teach.? Unfortunately, these doctrines take precedence over the word of God itself.? We see from the scripture quoted above that doctrine should be supported by God’s word (not justified by it).
The doctrine of the Trinity is not taught in the scriptures.? Let me say that one more time so that it will shock you into reality.? THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY IS NOT TAUGHT IN THE BIBLE.? You will find nothing in the bible stating that there is a Godhead and that it is made of three persons.? The belief of the Godhead is the foundation for the doctrine of the Trinity.? Note that the trinity does not present the existence of the Father, son, and Holy Spirit.? It only states that they are one forming, the Godhead.? Do you see?
The Bible teaches us about God our heavenly Father, His son whom he sent down on the earth to die for our sins, and the Holy Spirit whom God sent after Jesus ascended.? There is no dispute about this at all.? The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are scriptural.? However, the concept of the Godhead and he being three persons is not taught in the scriptures.? The Jews in the old testament only believed in the one God (for the most part because at times they did go off track).? There was no trinity in the Old Testament.? Where then did this doctrine of the Trinity come from.
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Who Can Access God?
Now let’s deal with the subject of getting to God.? How do we access God our father?? Can I go to God any way I want or is there a specific way that I have to go into his presence?? Who can access God?
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The Righteous
“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?? Who may stand in his holy place?? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.? He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.? Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.” – Psalm 24:3-6 (NIV)
This establishes that in order to go into the presence of God, you have to have a pure heart, clean hands (without sin), and faithful to God.? If you study righteousness, you will find that the righteous have these things.? The righteous are innocent before God and they do not sin because of the pureness of their heart by Jesus Christ.? Therefore, in order to access God then you must be righteous and this is available to us by Jesus Christ through salvation.
The bible also says
“LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?? Who may live on your holy hill?? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man, who depsises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.” – Psalm 15:1-5 (NIV)
Again we see the attributes of a righteous person being a necessity to enter into God’s presence.? All these things are what righteous people do and therefore are blameless before God.? Not because they do righteous acts but because they are righteous and therefore do these things.? Their ability to go into God’s presence is because of their righteousness and not because of the acts per se.
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Those Who God Chooses
Just as in the old testament, a person could not go into the presence of a king unless summoned, we cannot go into the presence of God unless chosen.? Not anyone can go into his presence.? We have to be called by God in order to present abide in his presence.? This, however, was made possible by Jesus Christ.? Because of Jesus Christ, we can go into the presence of God directly.? We have a right to go before our heavenly father.? Since we are righteous, we can stand before the father.? The bible says,
“Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!? We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple” – Psalm 65:4 (NIV)
It was a great honor for the special group of Israelites from the tribe of Levi to live in the temple courts.? They were the only ones who could enter the sacred rooms where God’s presence resided. ?As far as righteousness goes, see 2 Corinthians 5:21.
There are only certain people that can abide in the presence of God:? Those who are righteous.? Sinners can stand before God (See Job 1:6, 2:1).? A sinner cannot abide in the presence of the LORD and receive blessings.? However, the righteous can reside in God’s presence because they have a right to or have access because of their righteousness.? Do you see?? Therefore, if you are righteous then God invites you into his presence.? After all, that was the reason for salvation:? To reconcile man to himself.? God wants us with him but the only way to do it is by righteousness through Jesus Christ (thus being born again).
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Those Who Call God
You cannot access God, or anything for that matter unless you call upon him.? If you want to abide in the presence of God then you are going to have to call him (inquire of him).? The bible says,
“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18 (NKJV)
See John 4:24, Psalm 50:15, 55:16, and 86:5.
Too many times we come against trials, tribulations, and milestones, and we don’t call on God for help or direction.? We are so quick to do things ourselves (lean on our own understanding) that we don’t even think to go to God.? How can receive from God unless I call upon him?? How can I get help from God unless I call upon him?? The answer is that I cannot.? Unless I call upon God, I will not receive from him what I need.? He will not force anything on us.? We have to willingly receive everything by faith.
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How Do We Access God?
How does a person on Earth access God who is in Heaven?? How can a human being access God and His kingdom who is a spirit?
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By Faith
We have to receive everything from God by faith.? I can have access to God by faith since he is Spirit and I can’t see him or what he is doing.? So it is by faith that I access God.? It is by faith that I can step into his presence.? The bible says,
“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” – Ephesians 2:18 (NKJV)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 5:1,2 (NKJV)
So you see that it is by faith that we access our heavenly father.? Remember that the just (righteous) shall live by faith.
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Prayer
If you want to abide in the presence of God and be sensitive to his Spirit, then you will have to pray.? Prayer is very important to the Christian in that it gives us direct connection with God our Father.? There are different types of prayers but they all have one thing in common:? You are going to God to communicate.??? Jesus said,
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.? Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6 (NIV)
Prayer involves petitions, talking, listening, expression, inquiries, and more.? See the study on Effective Prayer for more information about prayer.? Let it be sufficient for me to say that prayer is very important if we are going to access God.? As a matter of fact, prayer is a necessity to access God.
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