The Purification Process
The ways in which people have gone wrong in their opinions about their Creator are almost as numerous as the human race itself. The diversity of religious beliefs in the world bears witness to how we can be misled about God.
First of all, of course, it is important to believe that God exists. “Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God” (Hebrews 11:6). Certainly atheism has been responsible for some of the most dreadful abuses in history, as people have gone astray through the rejection of God. The psalmist was right:
Only fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
But of course, most people in our land do believe in God. In fact, only 8 percent of Americans describe themselves as atheists or agnostics.¹ Naturally, though, this does not mean that 92 percent of us have an accurate or adequate view of who God is. Misunderstanding about God’s nature, even when it comes to the basics, is widespread, despite the prevalent belief in the existence of God.
One key reason why so many misunderstand God today is the current do-it-yourself approach to religion. At one time, Christianity was the starting point for the theology of most Americans (whether or not they actually had a saving faith in Christ). Today, though, many put together pieces of Christianity, New Age spirituality, and whatever else appeals to them, then endorse the resulting hodgepodge as their theological doctrine. Consequently, while they may be enthusiastic about “God,” the God they have in mind bears little resemblance to the God of the Bible.
Having flawed convictions about God is not necessarily a sin in itself—your education in this area may have been at fault. But do not let yourself become comfortable with unexamined convictions. Get to know God better in His self-portrait, the Bible, and start erasing those parts of your image of Him that do not fit what He says about Himself. Then fill in the picture with true ideas about God’s nature. You will benefit from knowing more about both who God is and how He acts toward you.
Who God Is
Some years ago I (Bill) wrote a book about the attributes of God, called God: Discover His Character.² I got the idea for the book as a result of being interviewed by Dr. James Montgomery Boice on the Bible Hour radio program. One of the first questions Dr. Boice asked was “What is the most important truth to teach any follower of Christ?”
No one had ever asked that question of me before, so for a moment I was speechless. Finally I answered, “The attributes of God.” Later I thought about my answer (prompted, I believe, by the Holy Spirit) and realized that it really was true. Human problems are commonly due, at least in part, to a faulty or inadequate understanding about God.
This is why I would urge you to learn more about the attributes of God. These attributes are primary qualities or characteristics belonging to God.
- God is all powerful. “Lord, there is no one like You! For You are great, and Your name is full of power” (Jeremiah 10:6).
- God is ever present. “I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence!” (Psalm 139:7).
- God is all knowing. “How great is our Lord! His understanding is beyond comprehension!” (Psalm 147:5).
- God is sovereign. “Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom” (1 Chronicles 29:11).
- God is holy. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3).
- God is truthful. “It is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).
- God is righteous. “Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!” (Deuteronomy 32:4).
- God is just. “Mighty king, lover of justice, you have established fairness” (Psalm 99:4).
- God is loving. “See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children, and we really are!” (1 John 3:1).
- God is merciful. “God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
- God is faithful. “Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created” (Psalm 119:90).
- God is unchanging. “He never changes or casts shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
For you as someone who is seeking to overcome a habitual sin, these attributes of God all relate to the issue of trust. Can you trust God to help you with your sin problem? In what ways is He trustworthy? Only when you know God will you be able to trust Him with all your heart.
¹Barna Research Group, press release, “American Faith Is Diverse, as Shown among Five Faith-Based Segments,” January 29, 2002, http://www.barna.org/, accessed September 2003. An atheist is one who believes there is no God. An agnostic is one who is undecided about the existence of God.
²Bill Bright, God: Discover His Character (Orlando, FL: New Life, 1999). See also the related website at http://www.discovergod.org.
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