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Jesus enters Jerusalem
Over the last few weeks I have spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of God I believe in. This is a practice that I like to do regularly, affirming my faith and my trust in God in the process. Here is a beginning place in my ponderings.
- YAHWEH is a God of love and goodness – this is the foundation of my faith. I don’t always understand what God is doing but I am more than ever convinced that, as Paul says, nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39)
- In Jesus Christ God took on flesh and dwelt amongst us. He is not the only revelation of God in this world but he is the fullest revelation of God that we have and through him we can come to understand God more fully (John 14:6)
- God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, an advocate who will never leave us but will lead us into the truths of God (John 14:15-21)
- God’s desire is the restoration and renewal of all things and this will be accomplished through the redeeming work of Christ our Saviour. (John 3:15-17)
- God is merciful and forgiving, desiring that all people will repent of the sins that distract and separate them from his presence and longing to draw all of us into a loving and intimate relationship with himself. God, the good shepherd lovingly pursues and “sheep” that strays and does everything possible to restore each of us to a loving relationship with himself.
- God is just and righteous and and is working to establish an eternal world of peace and wholeness in which justice and righteous reign forever.
- God is faithful and true and will always fulfill what he has promised, though sometimes the fulfillment of these promises may look very different from what we expect.
- God is a God of abundance wh wants to and is able to provide lavishly and generously for all our daily needs.
- God is compassionate and caring, with a heart that aches for every suffering person in our world.
- God is a creator and not a destroyer, bringing into being all that is good and true and just.
What are the truths that hold you strong in your faith?
3 comments
This is a great list. I do struggle a bit with the idea of a lavish and abundant God in the context of both today’s world, poverty and the example of Jesus. I agree that God can provide and that we should not limit or dictate in any way how God works and can provide. However I think that the language and context of abundance and lavish have been hijacked and have negative connotations with the prosperity gospel. Perhaps they can be reclaimed and freshly understood?
Matt, I understand what you mean, that is why I said “wants to and is able to provide abundantly.” I think that part of the problem is that most of us don’t really believe that God wants to provide abundantly not just for me but for all people. You are right this has been hijacked by the prosperity gospel. It has been interpreted as meaning that God wants to make me personally wealthy when what I think God’s lavish provision looks like is that there is enough for my needs and an abundance to share with others. We tend to hold to ourselves what God intends us to share and then we don’t see that generous provision for all people.
Reblogged this on onbeingmindful and commented:
I agree with Christine. I’m appreciative of her eloquence and putting my own sentiments into words.