The God Confusion

In today's secular society where talk of God is viewed with distrust or disinterest its no wonder most people don't know who God really is. Many theologians blame educators for this. They see an inept system teaching more obscurity than clarity. It’s frustrating that the primary attributes of the God of the Bible  cannot be taught in public K - 12 schools. I am equally annoyed that when a student goes to secular college they are finally allowed to study Christianity but often taught only the negative side of our religion.

Part of the God confusion blame falls on the media. They are the product of our “finest schools” so naturally it comes as no surprise that most of America’s reporters, writers and their editors lack Biblical faith. When was the last time you said, “amen” to an article read or a program watched that dealt with the Christian faith? Serious Bible readers often cringe at these portrayals of God and His people.

In fairness, though, I see most of the blame for America’s misunderstanding of God falling square on the shoulders of the church. Our retreat from our culture combined with deafening silence allow the skeptic’s words to go unchallenged. The church’s fixation on morality and church growth crowd out times for teaching the basic tenets of the God we worship.

There is a tremendous difference between knowing about God and knowing God. Many of today’s worshipers know about God. They know He is a spirit who is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-present. They know that God is holy and that there is nothing impossible for Him. They know that He sent His one and only Son to earth to show us the path to heaven.

Beyond that, let me ask you, what do you know of God? Do you understand Him? Do you know how He thinks or how He feels? One way of telling how close you are to the Lord is by looking at your life. When one is close to God they resemble God. They see things from His perspective and feel strongly about the same thing He does. Another way of gaging your comprehension is your obedience. Are you doing what God wills or are you merely doing what you want to do?

How important is it that we know God? If you don't, you will never know heaven, it's that simple (see 2 Thess. 1:7-9). How can you get to know God better? Pray to Him and give Him your attention. Worship Him in spirit and in truth at a God-teaching church. Oh yeah, another thing — Read the Book where He goes into great detail to reveal Himself.

Lord, everyone seems to have their own opinion of who You are. Truth trumps opinion. Guide us back to the Bible’s definition of Yourself. Correct in us any imperfect thoughts we have of You. No thing in our life will have greater bearing on how we live than our view of You.

Blessings,

John <><

P.S. This Sunday, I am beginning a new preaching series at the Gateway Church called “Connecting with God.” The opener: “Connecting with God by Knowing Him”
www.gatewaycofc.org  

What Single Truth? (Easter 2011)

In a cemetery in Hanover, Germany, is a grave on which were placed huge slabs of granite and marble cemented together and fastened with heavy steel clasps. It belongs to a woman who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Yet strangely, she directed in her will that her grave be made so secure that if there were a resurrection, it could not reach her. On the marker were inscribed: "This burial place must never be opened."

In time, a seed, covered over by the stones, began to grow. Slowly it pushed its way through the soil and out from beneath. As the trunk enlarged, the great slabs were gradually shifted so that the steel clasps were wrenched from their sockets. A tiny seed had become a tree that had pushed aside the massive stones.

The dynamic life force contained in that little seed is a faint reflection of the tremendous power of God's re-creative word that someday will call to life the bodies of all who are in their graves. He will also bring back every person drowned at sea, cremated, or destroyed in some other way. This is no problem to the One who created everything out of nothing when He spoke the universe into existence. Unbelief cannot deter the resurrection. But faith in the risen Christ opens the door to blessings that His rising guarantees -- a glorious new spiritual body and a home in heaven. In new bodies we will be reunited with saved loved ones to live with Jesus throughout all eternity. I can’t wait!

What is it that gives a widower courage as he stands beside a fresh grave? What is the ultimate hope of the cripple, the amputee, the abused, the burn victim? How can the parents of brain-damaged or physically disabled children keep from living their entire lives totally and completely depressed? Why would anyone who is blind, deaf or paralyzed be encouraged when they think of the life beyond? How can we see past the martyrdom of some helpless hostage or devoted missionary? Where do the thoughts of a young couple go when they finally recover from the grief of losing their baby? What single truth becomes their whole focus?

God, we celebrate Easter by thanking You that Your Son didn’t stay dead. Since You vindicated Jesus, by raising Him from the tomb, then whatever He said must be true for we know You wouldn’t raise a liar. Lord, what is the final answer to pain, mourning, senility, insanity, terminal diseases, sudden calamities, and fatal accidents? Father, what one thing can give us hope when life has crushed us? The resurrection. Yes, the power of the resurrection! In Christ’s name. Amen!

Blessings,

<>< John