Perhaps you’re not a Christian. You may know about God, but feel unprepared to commit yourself to Him. Maybe your perception of God precludes meaningful involvement (e.g. “God doesn’t care about me” or “God doesn’t deserve my respect”). Or you might not believe God exists at all. Whatever your position, I do not purport to alter it; my beliefs should be clear by now, but it is arrogant to presume persuasive power on the subject. I seek only to explain and justify my understanding, that you may similarly have better knowledge thereof, and of your own beliefs.
There is no study I have found more compelling or productive than that of God. I don’t mean the works of God or the doctrines of God; I mean God Himself, in His being, character, and attributes. Doctrines are merely the classification of these truths, and religion the application to lifestyle. Every controversy I’ve ever heard of has inevitably been rooted in a faulty conception of who God truly is, as described in His Word.
Within the Church, such controversies often take the form of extremes. This congregation knows God is holy and righteous, and thereby claim to hold the world to a standard of holiness unattainable outside of Christ. Another congregation knows God is loving and compassionate, and thereby excuses all manner of sin in mockery of Christ’s righteousness. Regardless of the specific extremes, all are guilty of believing God to be other than He is, separating out parts that do not exist as such in the perfectly unified Trinity.
Meanwhile the world at large holds its own opinions. Many blame God for the existence of suffering, holding Him to a human standard of responsibility. Some are understandably confused by the inconsistent testimony of those who claim to know Him, often discouraged by them from investigating the original source. Still others see the truth for what it is, but cannot bear to part with their worldly attractions, preferring the comfort of distraction to real peace.
To truly know God is to receive comfort in every suffering, clarification for every confusion, and confidence in every trial. I make this claim from experience; but truth be told, I did not come to Christ for these reasons. By the grace of God, I was convicted by His Spirit to seek further than I knew to seek. Today I know Him as the Good Almighty God, and that is more than enough reason for me.
Be enlightened! TTT