Religion & Spirituality >
Thoughts on God
Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedIs God only known for what He's done or for what He is?
Results so far:
| Is | 69% | 542 votes | Total: 782 votes | |
| Done | 31% | 240 votes |
Is
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesIs God only known for what He's done or for what He is? This question, seemingly deep and mysterious, is actually rather simple. But to truly explore the idea a few basic truths need to be established. Firstly, God shouldn't be thought of as a "what." Rather, as His Word reveals, God is a "who." Secondly since His Word stands as the ultimate truth, any question regarding His nature can be found therein.
So what does the Bible say on this topic? One doesn't really have to dig very far to begin to get clear clues about this. In the second book of the Bible, Exodus, God speaks to Moses. Moses has been told to go to Israel and instruct them that they should prepare to leave Egypt. Moses, a little skeptical to say the least, asks by what name he should call God. His reply: "God said to Moses, '~I am who I am. This is what you are to say to Israel: '~I am has sent me to you.'"
That was all the introduction He required. When I first read Exodus 3:14, I must confess I was reminded of Popeye, who always said "I am what I am and that's all what I am." I digress I know, but the point is that God says that who He is is how He is to be know. "I am."
Christ too, presented this introduction when He confronted some of the Jewish religious aristocracy. They challenged Him, saying that He was far too young to hold the authority with which he spoke. In John 8:56 he answers them "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
Jesus repeated referred to the things He did as being for the purpose of revealing who God is. In John 14:9..."Jesus answered: 'Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father"?'"
Yes, the list of thing God has done goes on without end. But all of it, from the creation of the universe, to His plan for the redemption of mankind, which was in place prior to that creation, is done for the purpose of revealing who He is to man, His creation.
To this I add my personal experience. When I was eighteen years old I was introduced to some people who tried to make me understand that they had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. At first I had a very difficult time wrapping my mind around this concept. To my way of thinking, Christ had been dead for 2000 years. How, I asked, could anyone possibly have a personal relationship with someone who'd been dead for two millennia? Eventually I came to understand that Christ had, in fact conquered death. He'd risen from the dead and lives to this day. He is the hope of all mankind. And, it became clear; He was waiting for me to come to Him, to make Him Lord of my life.
On the basis of this gradual understanding I too met Christ personally. I too understand who He is. He is my savior and my Lord. Since that time He has done some amazing things in my life, but I now realize that had He done none of it, it was who He is that matters.
Learn more about this author, Scott Varengo.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Done
People know God for who He is, yet people know Him more for what He has done. For instance, people know God created all things, although denying that in so much in vogue. Who is God? There is only one God and that is God. He is an invisible (imaginary to the skeptics) being. He is a supreme being a being over all things. He is also the one who never dies.
Yet for humans beings He is known better for what He has done. He created all things. He took the palm of his hand and measure the distanes of the heavens. Then He did spans with His arms and measure more the universe. He did all that out of nothing. Some motivational speakers might say He created all out of His imagination. Out of His vision. Before God, there was nothing but He Himself alone. Then He created all stars and gave them all an individual name. He calls them by name.
Then He created man. He gave him the planet earth. He then did incredible things on the earth. He lost His patients with man more than once. He flooded the whole planet because man had abondoned goodness and had become debauched beings. They were killing each other without regard. They had no sense of justice and honor anymore. So God caused a flood and drowned many, saving only those who still were trying to be just. God further did great exploits through the hands of His servant Moses.
Moses called to God to to rescue him and his people from slavery in Eygpt. God responded favorably and compelled the Pharo to give up the children of Israel. God gave Israel Canaan, yet Israel had to take the land. It is said that God helps those who help themselves.
The relationship of men and God are written in the Old Testiment. God gave Joshua victory and the promised land. Since the flood or even after creation of mankind, God was given to making covenants with man. These are legal documents in which God binds Himself to a friend of certain men. Since there is no greater authority, God is bond by His word. God has said through the scriptures that "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." The Apostle Paul has ponder on the love of God and wrote these words "what shall separate me from the love of God." Some of the items he names are "neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Yet God is known for the things He has done. He begot a son, who is still known as Jesus of Nazareth. Even today that name separates human being into friend and foe. To the children of God, Jesus is the sweetest and most revered name. To the children of darkness, it is a name reviled. God is known to separate Heaven and hell. God is known to have sacrificied His own Son on the cross, the most infamous instrument of torture. God is known to have given up HIs own for mankind who has proved himself unworthy over and over again.
God ought to be better known for who He is, but we are human so He is known better what He has done.
Learn more about this author, Jobie Weetaluktuk.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
