The Doctrine of God
“This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” Psalms 18:30 (ESV)
Greetings, everyone!
I remember as a child, my mother would play this song by James Cleveland called “God is” on the record player. I would stop what I was doing to quietly listen to the singers’ voices and the lyrics. The song highlights God's character and abilities. As I got older and experienced life, I gained a deeper understanding of who “God is,” and I would like to share it with you. This month, we will learn the doctrine of God.
To understand the doctrine of God, we need to know who He is. God is a spirit (John 4:24). God is holy (Lev. 19:2). God is good (Ps. 34:8). God is our Lord and our rock (Ps. 18:31). God is love (1 John 4:8). True, living God (Jer. 10:10). He is God (1 Kings 18:39). God’s presence is not only within the church but also in everyday life, connecting with us through daily experiences. It is believed that God is described as a relational being, depicted as personal and engaging in relationships and actions. In this view, God is characterized as relational and living. God has immanent attributes, which means that God is present within and involved in the world and creation, rather than being distant or separate from it. God is very much involved in your life (Jer. 29:11). God is self-sufficient, non-dependent, and uncreated. There is one character that some may not like to discuss is God’s jealousy.
God instructed Moses, “For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God”(Exodus 34:14). God’s jealousy can never be compared to humans’ jealousy. Jealousy among humans can lead to unethical actions or wrongdoing. The concept of divine jealousy refers to God's rightful claim to be praised and worshiped as the creator, emphasizing an expectation for individuals to honor Him accordingly. God understands that this world is wicked, and His doctrine is being manipulated and omitted. However, He is actively influencing the natural order through extraordinary means. His perspective encompasses a broader scope, much like an overview from a mountain top, compared to our more limited viewpoint from the valleys. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Pro. 15:3). God is always ready to fight for His children. God is a warrior!
Isaiah portrayed God as a warrior: “He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak”(Is. 59:16-17). God has many names to describe who He is to us. But there is one that stands out the most, I AM.
In Exodus 3:14, God told Moses who He is and to share it with the Israelites, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” I AM means the one who is the self-existent one, eternal and unchanging. Remember, Saints, God is our heavenly Father who loves us. Next month, I will discuss Christology.
