Why Our View of God Matters
People have all kinds of opinions about God. Pantheists say God is everything; polytheists believe in multiple gods and goddesses; deists believe that He created everything but isn’t involved with creation. Even some Christians teach things about God that don’t line up with the Bible. That’s why we need to re-examine characteristics God has revealed about Himself in His Word.
Related video: Refuting the claim “all religions lead to God”
Throughout Scripture, God is referred to as our Father. Our view of God is often filtered through the lens of our earthly father. For better or worse, our primary and foundational relationships chart the course for the ways we navigate other relationships, including our relationship with God. We all struggle to see and experience God for who He actually is. Incorrect views about God are toxic to our well-being; they prevent us from thriving and experiencing a life of wholeness.
Many of us believe one or more of the following three myths about God in our styles of relating to Him. We may not consciously hold these beliefs, but they can be present at a deep heart level.
Myth #1 – God Is Angry With Me
Truth: God’s Unconditional Love and Pleasure in You
The truth is, God loves you, and if you have trusted in Christ, He is pleased with you because of what Christ has accomplished. He is not angry at you or with you. In praying for believers to experience perfect unity, Jesus said, “that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:23). God the Father loves you as much as He loves Jesus! That’s amazing! On top of that, we see how God relates to Jesus during His baptism. He said He loves Him and is pleased with Him. If you are in Christ, God the Father says the same thing to you today: “You are My son,” or “You are My daughter,” and “who I love and in whom I am well pleased.” Do you see God that way? Do you think that He loves you and is pleased with you on your good days and on your bad days? Irrespective of your performance?
Not too long ago, my friend Zack was having lunch with his family. His oldest daughter was going through the phase of what they call “the terrible twos.” Zack kept trying, over and over again, to get her to eat her lunch, and remained calm, despite her refusal to eat and the attention she brought on herself. Seeing how he engaged with his daughter reminded me of how God treats us. Despite our behavior, He loves us and keeps delighting in us.
Myth #2 God Is Uptight
Truth: God’s Grace, Forgiveness, and Desire for Relationship
The reality is, God is not uptight nor obsessed with rules. God is gracious and forgiving (Isaiah 30:18). When we confess our sins, He forgives us—no ifs, ands, or buts (1 John 1:9). No exceptions. No small font or disclaimers. If you confess your wrongs to God, no matter what, God will forgive you. He is the God of second chances without end.
God already paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. He’s not obsessed with our sin, He’s obsessed with a relationship with us. We see this beautiful picture of God’s grace in the father in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The younger son of this wealthy father demanded his inheritance early and went away squandering it on reckless living. When he came back empty-handed to his father, the father ran out to him, celebrated his return, and threw a party. The father did not berate him, shame him, or judge him. He celebrated his return.
Related video: Many Christians believe this lie
Myth #3 God Is Distant/Disengaged
Truth: God’s Constant Presence and Personal Invitation
The truth is, God is not distant nor is He disengaged. He is present and personal and we can know Him deeply (John 17:3). God is omnipresent—He is in all places at all times (Jeremiah 23:24). He is with you in your suffering, when you’re anxious or depressed, and even when you sin in ways you promised yourself you’d never sin again. You can’t outrun God, escape His goodness, or cause Him to walk away or turn His back on you. He invites us to address Him as Abba, the Aramaic equivalent of Daddy or Dada (Romans 8:15). The God of the universe needs nothing from us, yet He invites us to have an intimate relationship with Him.
Have you ever witnessed a father like this? While no human being can come close to loving us perfectly, I’ve seen the Father’s love through my friend Brian. He is one of the most loving and engaged fathers I know. He cherishes his son and daughter. He’s not just their dad; they’re good friends. I remember being blown away at witnessing how he interacted with his kids, specifically over their interests and hobbies. Talking to them about their interests, playing basketball and racquetball with them, being excited about what they’re excited about, and so on.
Discovering God’s True Loving Nature
No matter what you have experienced, believed, or have been taught about God, He desires to restore your view of His character. He wants you to experience Him as your true, loving, heavenly Father.
In my life, mentors and spiritual fathers and mothers cared about and invested in me, and this began to shift the way I viewed God over the years. I began to believe, deep down, that He loved me, cared about me, and delighted to spend time with me. Now, when I sin, I feel God’s compassion toward me. When I am disappointed or hurt, I don’t blame God or get angry at Him like I used to. I feel His closeness and interest in the concerns of my heart.
Practical Steps to Experience God’s True Character
As you seek greater intimacy with Him, consider implementing these steps:
1. Reflect on God’s Past Actions in Your Life
Remember what God has done in your life. Think about what He did last week, last year, about what He provided, and the good gifts He has given you.
2. Meditate on Scripture Revealing God’s Character
Read the Bible meditating on who God truly is. I can’t stress this enough: when you read the stories of the Bible, look for the ways God is showing His Fatherly goodness and love.
3. Observe Loving Fatherly Relationships
Observe loving and gracious fathers with their kids. I’ve learned so much from fathers who spend time and hang out with their kids, doing hobbies and activities together.
By identifying the myths we have believed about God, taking steps to renew our minds, and experiencing God as He truly is, we can experience healing and wholeness.
Go deeper through our free Overcoming Lies About God YouVersion Plan.
Pick up a copy of Free To Thrive to learn more about how our past pain contributes to the lies we believe about God and how to heal.
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