|
Viewpoint from Dave Weeks 29/05/2015
 abridged version published in the Yarmouth Mercury
Dave Weeks
Pastor, Hope Church Great Yarmouth
What do you think God is really like?
The Bible tells us that in the beginning God made man 'in His image'. In other words, God planned what we should be like. It would appear now, though, that we have turned that on its head, and now it seems we are 'making God in our image'. By that I mean that we are determining what we think God is like, or should be like. When things go wrong in our lives we often blame God as if it is His fault, making Him out to be uncaring. Some even go as far as to say that God is punishing them for some reason. For many, consequences of life mould their thinking. Because life has been hard and tough, and very painful, they question either the love or even existence of God. “He cannot love me or these things would not have happened”. I have heard many people say “If God is a God of love, how can He send people to hell?” We have decided what the entry requirements to heaven are, rather than what God says. “I am not a bad person so God will certainly let me in, He will let most people in, except maybe Hitler, murderers and paedophiles”
 All of the above tells me that those who think such things have not understood what God is really like. I can understand why people say such things, I would have done so myself at one time. I don't have space here to answer all these questions, and undoubtedly many more that could be asked. But what I would suggest is that you look into what God is really like for yourself. “How do I do that?” you might ask. It's simple really. Jesus said “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” and “I and the Father are one.” In other words, Jesus would say “If you want to know what your heavenly Father is like, look at me!”
Jesus didn't go round hurting people, inflicting sickness, causing pain or punishing people. No, wherever Jesus went he alleviated pain, He calmed the storms, He healed the sick, He fed the hungry. He loved everyone who stood before Him. From the prostitute to the beggar, from the poorest to the wealthy, from the leper to the ones who nailed Him to the cross
Jesus once said “The thief (devil) comes only to steal kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” So, next time you blame God or think of Him in a certain way, ask yourself. “Is this really true?” “Is God really like this?” “Can I really blame God for what has happened in my life?” or is there some other explanation?
And on the question of Hell, Jesus spoke a lot about it. Not because He wanted to send people there, but to warn them so they would not end up there! And with the greatest expression of love known to mankind He made a way for us not to end up there. How? He went to the cross. And on that cross He took all our sin and all the punishment we deserved for our sin upon Himself. He died in our place. Three days later God raised Him from the dead and he is alive today and calls all men to Himself. If we are truly sorry for our wrongdoing, put our faith and trust in what He has done for us on the cross, turn to Him and commit our lives to Him, He will come into our lives, forgive us our sin, pour His love into our hearts and give us eternal life, whoever we are, whatever we have done – all because He loves us so much! According to Jesus, despite what we may think, that is the only way any of us will get to heaven when we die
So, if anyone wants to look more into what God is like, can I suggest you read one of the Gospels from the Bible - Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. If you don't have one I will happily supply you with one. You can contact me via the Network Yarmouth website
|
|
|
|
