Monday, 30 May 2011

• What Does God ReveaL About Himself?

  Recently, I have been traveling two hours to and from a job we are doing.  There are three of us most days.  Since we all claim to know Christ, yet differ on several points of practice, we have been conversing on those things during our commute.   I think it has been profitable, but it is unlikely that a person will change his views in just one conversation - especially views that have come from years of experience and from tradition.

  I sat down one night to begin a synopsis of what I consider to be the more important points to know concerning God and our relationship with Him.   What follows is a rough draft of beliefs based on Christ and His teaching that I consider inviolable if we want to remain true to His word.

  "There are a few boundaries that I cannot go beyond in talking about God and His relationship with man.  The main thing is God's sovereignty.   There is nothing that man or devil can do to thwart the plan and will of God....nothing.   God will always be faithful and keep His promises because He can, and it is His nature to do so.   God also knows our frame - that we are dust.   We are weak and unable to keep all that we promise to do.   So God does not operate on a performance basis of acceptance...not on our performance, that is.   Christians are His children - all of them.   They will never perish.   The Church is the Bride of Christ.   We need to be very careful not to diss His beloved bride.   If we have issues with how well we think the Church is serving Him or obeying or worshiping, it is our responsibility to begin with ourselves.    To go beyond that would indicate that we had reached perfection in our flesh and therefore would be able to tell others of the mote in their eye.    Naturally, we are to HELP our brethren, but we have to be careful not to take the "holier than thou" approach.   We should agonize in prayer for them before we take the switch to them.   That, is God's prerogative and His business.

   

  This is not the whole of doctrine.  There is so much to learn that we will not be complete in our understanding until we are with Him face-to-face.    Man-centered doctrine based on man's understanding is nothing like.   If human reasoning and philosophy were enough - or even common sense, then Christ would not have had to die for our sins.  We could figure it out and become whatever we imagine in our heart and mind to be.

   

  Where it becomes a mystery as to our standing and state before God, it is because we don't take Him at His word.  We tend to add other requirements which, according to human thought are only reasonable but to God are an abomination because they are pitiful attempts to "glorify" our own righteousness and add it to His perfect righteousness.   We are the chosen, the elect of God, and it has nothing to do with us.   It is ALL of God!

   

  All of this is the basis for sound doctrine.   It is most important to me because any other method of obtaining favor with God apart from His choice is impossible.   If we imagine ourselves being able to ascend into heaven, we are foolish beyond words."

   

  While this is not exhaustive, I believe it is based upon the character of God and His revelation of Himself.  Other things that seem to rank among these principles may occur to you, and I welcome you to share them.

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