{"id":2890,"date":"2024-03-05T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tomme-stevenson.com\/website\/?p=2890"},"modified":"2024-02-25T18:47:29","modified_gmt":"2024-02-25T23:47:29","slug":"god-is-someone-not-something","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tomme-stevenson.com\/website\/god-is-someone-not-something\/","title":{"rendered":"God is Someone, not Something."},"content":{"rendered":"
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God is someone, not something. He is not a set of rules or an organizational structure. He is not a membership in your church or a certificate of baptism. You don\u2019t get to know Him by attending the right church, attending the proper Bible Study, or listening to the right Preacher. Your membership in a Christian denomination or your strict adherence to theological doctrine does not define God. God is not a possession that you control or an accomplishment you achieve. He is the creator of the universe. Understanding God starts by having an intimate relationship with Him. Christ is your only intermediary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of my favorite descriptions of God is \u201cI am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exodus 3:14, \u201cGod said to Moses, \u2018I am who I am.\u2019\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
God is self-defining<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
God is self-defining. He is beyond description. His ways are above our ways. His actions define righteousness and goodness. Although we are made in His image, we cannot fully grasp the totality of His existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malachi 3:6, \u201cI am the Lord, and I do not change.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 1:8, \u201cI am the Alpha and the Omega.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Exodus 15:26, \u201cI am the Lord who heals you.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Exodus 22:27, \u201cI am merciful.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Isaiah 51:12, \u201cI am the one who comforts you.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
John 6:48, \u201cI am the bread that gives life.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
John 8:12, \u201cI am the light of the world.<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
John 10:11, \u201cI am the good shepherd.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 22:20, \u201cYes, I am coming soon.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
These are not the words of a what but of a who. Godliness doesn’t describe an abstract concept meant to keep us in line. It describes a heavenly body that loves us unconditionally and wants nothing more than our well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God is Jealous<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Isaiah 42:8, \u201cI am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else nor share my praise with carved idols.\u201d<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
God is jealous of our attention. But He does not demand it as some would believe; he wants it to be a free-will offering. God does not push Himself on us; He draws us to Himself. He demonstrates the value of taking our comfort in Him, who will never forsake us, rather than worldly endeavors that will fade with time. Eternity is God’s; this world flashes by and then disappears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worshiping at the altar of good works, good behavior, or personal sacrifice will not endure you to God. The only path to a meaningful relationship with God is glorifying Him in all we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God as our Savior<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How do we change from the person always trying to please God through our adherence to rules to freely loving Him for who He is? The foundation is to be in His word constantly. But that activity is to educate; it does not replace the relationship with Him. We discuss head knowledge versus heart knowledge and the transition from one to the other. To truly have an intimate, meaningful relationship with God, you must surrender to His will. We do not aim to please God by doing good; instead, we do good because God finds pleasure in us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you can honestly say yes to each of these, you have a meaningful relationship with God, not just the representation of God. Things can\u2019t provide this level of intimacy; only a living God can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n