GOD IS LIGHT

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5)

Devotion 3 of 22

AS SOME SEE HIM

As you might expect, there are varying and contradicting views of God among men. While it may be of measured value to consider some of these views, I must precede these considerations with a few remarks. First, there really is no room for opinion concerning the Person and purpose of God. Because He is the Creator and man is the created, human views have no real value. Having said that, however, an individual's thoughts concerning God do have an impact upon him. They will impact upon his eternal destiny.

For this reason, I will only briefly consider some of the conceptions of God that are entertained by men. The primary thrust of these devotions will center in Divine revelation. That revelation presents the only valid concepts of the Living God.

To the philosophers, an Idea

The philosopher approaches God as though He were an idea, a notion conceived in the corrupt heart of man. Carnal philosophers have gone so far as to affirm the concept of God is the result of man groping for an answer to his existence and circumstance. This is just the reverse of the actual situation. Man is an extension of God, the Lord is not an extension of human reasoning.

Religious misconceptions

The legalist, for example, with his propensity for a Law system, is so inclined because of a misconception of God. He sees the Lord as basically a Lawgiver, with other attributes flowing from that primary trait. While God is, indeed, the Lawgiver, that is not His primary quality. We know this is the case because men cannot be saved by Law--even Divine Law. They are saved "by grace through faith," a situation the advocate of Law has a difficult time swallowing.

The determinist conceives of God as overriding the human will, implementing His eternal purpose independently of our involvement. Thus the salvation of the individual is perceived as finalized either in eternity, or at the point a profession of faith is made. These two views are expressed in a distorted proclamation of predestination, and the "once saved, always saved" heresies. They are reasonable to those who embrace them because of their view of God--but their view of God is incorrect. The extensive involvement of God in our salvation confirms it is not the result of a Divine fiat or edict.

Others, embracing a modified form of determinism, conceive of the Holy Spirit being thrust into the human heart violently, even throwing the recipient to the ground in a state of unconsciousness-- commonly called "slain in the Spirit." These views, however honorable they may appear to those embracing them, spring from a misapprehension of the nature of the Living God. The imposition of the Divine will upon men is most generally associated with cursing, not blessing.

Some perceive God as being incapable of inflicting harm upon anyone. There is a wide range of doctrines that have originated from this erroneous view. One extreme position is that there is no hell-- that God will not punish anyone in a "lake of fire" (Rev 20:10,14,15). Others, sensing the danger of such a position, present a modified view that affirms the wicked will be punished mercifully. Some even affirm that God no longer chastises His people.

Still, others are adamant in their insistence that no sickness, death, or calamity, come from the Lord. God is seen as only sending good, and only blessing. These positions evidence a failure to see the Lord as He really is.

A deistic view of God dominates in many segments of the Christian community. This view sees God as withdrawn from His creation and salvational enterprise. He no longer is immediately involved in these processes, but has left them to run on automatic pilot. Thus, they conclude, there no longer are miraculous interventions in the affairs of men. The enterprise of salvation is solely in the hands of redeemed humanity, and the wisdom of men is now the only means of understanding the Word of God.

Again, these proceed from flawed logic that has grown out of a failure to understand God Himself.

These are only representative of and unimaginable number of variant perceptions of God. Upon due consideration of this matter, you will see that all divisions among professed believers are actually traced back to differing views of God himself. It is not possible to simultaneously entertain a proper view of God and an improper view of His word.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I know You have revealed Yourself most fully in Your Son, Jesus Christ the Lord. In expectation, therefore, I come to Him, that He may show me more fully of Yourself and Your purpose.

-- Tomorrow: THE DECLARATION --