What Is God Like?

Someone asked me – “What is God really like?” Interesting question don’t you think? If the answer to that question were required of you, what would be your answer? How would you know?

Perhaps you would speak from your history –  your father, other men (preachers for example), and what they have taught  you about God. Would you be able to speak from your experience – what has God done for you, or how He has intervened in your life? Maybe your imagination would speak – “I think God is. . . . After all, if you think it, it must be true.

Take a test (oh, come on, it will be enlightening): Is God benevolent or austere; demanding or charitable; compassionate or uncompromising; inflexible or empathetic; lenient or exacting; severe or patient; tender or unyielding; rigorous or tolerant; sympathetic or stern; strict or clement. Could you pick one or the other of these characteristics?

According to Scripture all the above are correct! For example:

Llove your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:35)

Your hand will capture all your enemies; your right hand will seize those who hate you. You will make them burn
like a fiery furnace when you appear; the Lord will engulf them in His wrath, and fire will devour them. You will wipe their descendants from the earth and their offspring from the human race.
Though they intend to harm you and devise a wicked plan, they will not prevail. Instead, you will put them to flightwhen you aim your bow at their faces. (Psalm 21:8-12)

It is our responsibility to be like Him, that is Christ. Jesus was the final, clear revelation of God. We are to be conformed to His image. (see Romans 8:29)

We learn by being close. If I want to know you, I have to spend time with  you — I have to be close to you. Most of our problems in the Body of Christ come from the fact that we don’t spend quality time together. . .fellowship, if you will.

How much time are you spending with God – alone, concentrating, learning, growing?