What’s Your God Like?
March 11, 2004
By Rev.
Todd Crofford
Sr. Pastor
Laurel Wesleyan Church
You are a Theologian.
You may not read theological journals during your lunch break or spend time
debating the nature of sin and salvation. In fact, you may not even attend
church; but you have a personal theology. You believe something about God.
You may believe he doesn’t exist. You may believe he does exist but doesn’t know
that you exist. Like me, you possibly believe God not only exists, but knows you
very well.
Whatever it is you believe, recognize that your belief does not dictate reality.
You and I cannot change immutable truths by affirming or denying them. If there
is a God, then not believing does not cause him to cease to exist.
So, we would be wise to examine our beliefs for correctness. The only assurance
that we can have that we are on the right track is to carefully inspect the
foundations of our beliefs. If I believe the sky is green but I have never
looked at it, and you claim the sky is blue because you look at it every day,
then you have a more solid foundation for your beliefs.
The central hope of my life is founded upon the Bible. That is a choice that I
have personally made. After looking at the foundations of many different faiths,
the Bible stands out as extraordinary in most every way. It is indeed, as
millions upon millions have discovered, the Word of God for our world.
So, if you are interested, let me examine a few things that the Bible reveals to
us about what God is like. We will spend a few weeks going through these
characteristics, or attributes of God.
For this week, let me share with you that the Bible says that God is sovereign.
Simply put, to be sovereign is to be completely in control.
The Bible tells us of a God who is so mighty he made the entire universe. The
opening verse of the Bible thrusts forth his sovereignty when it says, “In the
beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” There are billions upon
billions of stars not yet discovered by man, but God made them all. There are
billions of people on this earth and God made each of us as well.
As much as I am tempted to worry at times about my life, I rest in the
sovereignty of God. Knowing that God is in charge doesn’t give me assurance that
nothing bad will happen, but a confidence that the God who loves me will only
allow within his will.
At times I become baffled like you when evil seems to prevail and pain ensues. I
wish that God would more directly prohibit some of the rampant running evil in
this universe that exists because of the injection of sin into our world. Yet
even through the horrific and the sad, I believe in the sovereignty of a God who
uses even the most horrible situation to bring about his good purposes.
In order to hold to that belief, I must recognize that he is not only sovereign,
but that he is holy and loving. I count on his holiness to know he has no evil
intentions for my life. I count on his love to see me through every difficulty
that he allows to come my way. For now I rejoice that the Bible reveals that
even when it seems everything is flying apart in our world, an unseen God is
bringing all things together for his purposes.
Now that’s some good theology!
The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Site One
Networks, Inc, the congregation of
the Laurel Wesleyan Church or the Wesleyan Church International. You may respond
to the author directly by E-mailing laurelwesleyan@siteone.net
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