Who is God?

[arunangelo]

Most people and religions agree that God created the Universe, and is infinite in wisdom and power. However, different religions and cultures have disparate opinions about who God is. Some see him as a mighty warrior who destroys evildoers and unbelievers, and protects those who are faithful to him. Others see him as someone who is awesome and just, who watches over us from a distance. Still others believe that God is love (1 John 4; 7-12). They see him as a kind, merciful, all forgiving, generous and loving father, who created us in his own image (by giving us the ability to live His life of love); in order that, we might share His life and have an intimate love relationship with Him and each other. They also see Him as our savior, who redeemed us from evil (which is rooted in selfishness) by taking a human form (as Jesus the Son of God) and emptying Himself completely of self (through His most horrifying and humiliating death on the cross) on our behalf, and giving us eternal life by feeding us with His own sacrificial body and blood (John 6, 53-58).They also see Him as the Holy Spirit (spirit of love), who dwells in every human heart, and who continually shows us the path to true love. They see these three attributes of God, as three persons in a single being of God. Because God is love and expression of love needs a free will, each of the three attributes of God’s has a free will. This makes each attribute a separate person. They further believe that, because, love is eternal, He (who is love) and those reborn in Him, live a life of love that cannot be destroyed by death. In other words, those, whose life is unconditional love (which is God’s life), do not die with the death of their earthly bodies. Unconditional love (which is God) cannot die, because, it is unconditional. Therefore, there is no condition or situation that can alter it or destroy it. You can brutalize Him, mock Him, scourge Him, crucify or kill Him; but He who is unconditional love, never dies.



According to the Bible, God is love (1John 4, 8). Love therefore, is not a feeling or emotion, but a being that is God. Like the magnetic field, which we cannot see, yet its effect can be felt; we feel the presence of God amongst us without actually seeing Him. We feel His presence in the acts of true love in the World, and in our own thoughts and acts of love. Often times we are blinded by selfishness, which prevents us from appreciating true love in human beings. However, when we are freed from selfishness, we will appreciate true love (which is God’s presence). When we meditate on what true love is, we understand who God is and feel closeness to Him. This experience becomes even more real, when we meditate on divine love expressed in human form, in the passion and death of Jesus. When we become intimate with God, we become intimate with love; when we become intimate with love, we are freed from selfishness; and when we are freed of selfishness we find peace.



Of the different types of gods just described, deep in our heart we know that it is the last one who is the true God; because, in him, we see what our spirit really desires-which is pure love. When we trust this God, we feel secure; because, we know that His love will always protect us from evil. Furthermore, when we trust Him, we allow Him to live His life of love through us. This brings us peace; because, love frees us from anxiety, jealousy, hate and revenge, by making us selfless. Furthermore, we are made in the image of God and have his spirit imprinted our heart. In other words, it is in our nature to be godly. Therefore, when we do not live His life or are not in unison with him, we go against our nature. When we go against our nature, we are like fish out of water. This suffocates our spirit and causes turmoil in our heart. On the other hand, when we live his life, we find peace; because, then our spirit resonates in unison with his spirit and our life is attuned to our true nature.

 

[JustJesus]

Who is God?...ask Him, and you'll learn for yourself. If He is God, can He not answer? Then...wait.

 

[Everglaze]

Jesus basically came and said he was God/God's Son/The Truth. Jesus and God are one/same in the spirit so really, if you believe in Jesus, you believe in God.

As for this whole religion issue, that's another story. So far, the only one I know who has died for us, preached and stressed Holiness, righteousness and purity by being a witness and the son of God...was Jesus. Everything Jesus did was what God did/intended/instructed.

Take it from Paul...about Jesus' resurrection.

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." - 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

 

[Chad]

Perfectly said Everglaze and JustJesus.

Arunangelo, thank you for joining Talk Jesus and for sharing a great post as well.

Jesus Christ is Son of GOD, Father as we call unto GOD in our prayers and the Holy Spirit are all one in the same living single GOD.

 

[Mart]

Seems to me I've seen all of these descriptions of God in scripture except for the claim of god the father, god the son, god the holy ghost. I don't see anything in the original languages of the Book that supports this.

For your consideration; nearly all of the verses used to support the trinity are from errors in translation or deliberate mistranslation to support the translator's bias. As an example, compare KJV with Greek. So many deliberately biased word choices are used to support the Catholic view.

The motivating verse in my life is this: “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.
Matthew 7:13 HCSB.

I've been lazy nearly all my life accepting what I was told from teachers in Sunday school and from the pulpit. The majority of Protestant churches are trinitarian so I didn't hear a different teaching. Thank God for the internet.

When I read (past tense) something in scripture that made me question what I had been taught I used to quickly ignore the question. Case in point; The Son praying in the Garden. Who was he praying to? Since he was god why would he pray to himself? Where did this concept originate? Isn't that kind of schizophrenic? Since God can't die what is the purpose of the crucifixion? Why would teachers and clergy brush me off when i asked the question? And so many others.

Quite by accident I stumbled across a bunch of websites and videos that explained the questions I had. After I checked out the truthfulness of their statements I entertained the idea of the One God not 3 gods position in relation to my questions. That made sense. Yeshua is a man, he prays to his father, he really did die on the cross so his resurrection means something to us. How could we be like him unless he was human?

If you are comfortable with the trinity, good for you. But, if you think I'm wrong then please correct me. It took me about a year to confirm through dictionaries, commentaries and history that One God is all that is in Scripture. I hope your research goes faster. My time is short so if you wish to save a brother don't delay. Of course, the danger is you may change your belief like I did.

 

[Sue D.]

God's Word Does teach the Godhead // God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit. Without those three we'd not have our salvation and the security Of it.

Jesus Christ , the Son was praying to His Father in heaven. It's all there in Scripture.

God is Spirit -- so He Can't die -- that's why the Son of God part of the trinity Did come to this earth in the form of a baby. He grew up to be a man and Then died on the cross -- shed His blood to take care of Our sins. And After He rose again from the dead -- He ascended back Up to the Father in Heaven. He Was God in the form of a human being.

People will tend to blow off this particular question, because some Don't actually believe it OR they can't explain it So they blow it off. AND it Could be the manner in which it's being Asked.

 

[Mart]

God's Word Does teach the Godhead // God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit. Without those three we'd not have our salvation and the security Of it.

Jesus Christ , the Son was praying to His Father in heaven. It's all there in Scripture.

God is Spirit -- so He Can't die -- that's why the Son of God part of the trinity Did come to this earth in the form of a baby. He grew up to be a man and Then died on the cross -- shed His blood to take care of Our sins. And After He rose again from the dead -- He ascended back Up to the Father in Heaven. He Was God in the form of a human being.

People will tend to blow off this particular question, because some Don't actually believe it OR they can't explain it So they blow it off. AND it Could be the manner in which it's being Asked. :smile:

I've read your answers to this question. At one time (for over 20 years) I answered in this way as well. I reject it out of hand. You make a statement with no substance such as the first sentence of this post. If you have the time look up the Hebrew words used in Genesis used to "prove" that Yeshua existed as God. You may find, as I did, that it only makes sense if you stand on your head on the 6th Thursday of the month following the 8th blue moon of the decade gripping your tongue firmly between the 3rd and 4th molars on the left side and repeat the Lord's prayer backwards 10 times. Anyone can repeat the tired old dogma and tradition of a failed faith (Catholic). It takes some determination to find out the truth. Most people are satisfied with the dogma because it's easier than kicking over sacred cows. I'm a cow kicker. Who knows, you may even be able to prove me wrong.

There's more to reading scripture than just to accept the traditional, unintentional or intentional mistakes of interpreters who have a certain agenda. There is the actual meaning of the original words, the context in which they are written and the society and times from which they were taken.

Yeshua's 1st miracle is often used as permission to drink alcohol. We've been blessed with the ability to learn and think logically. So, let's analyze this just using logic. The location of the Jewish wedding is described as being in Cana, correct? Is it a big city or small village. Historically and archeologically we are told the indications are of a small village. We have the story of Mary stating to Yeshua the wedding party ran out of wine and implies Yeshua should make some. Let's examine the situation. There has already been consumption of what many believe is alcoholic wine so some may be buzzed, some may be drunk by this time, or there was so little wine in the begining that the adults only had a taste. Some writings say the wedding was for a poor couple so the party would have been modest one would think, based on this information. But, let's say there were about 40 to 60 people in attendance including children. Yet, Yeshua makes approximately 150 gallons of booze if the scriptures are to be believed. That's 2.5 gallons for everyone in attendance. The number comes from the size of the jars mentioned in John 2:6 of 20 to 30 gallons each, an average of 25 gallons/pot. From my reading of scripture Yahweh doesn't care for drunkenness and yet we have the Messiah enabling people to get sloshed? Quite different from the way it is presented in the various churches I've been to. It's only presented as this wonderful miracle that is so sweet and helpful. If it's alcohol, is it so great? So, what is really going on here? All we have is the record that was given. Really? I don't think so.

I don't read this in the above way. Here's why. The word wine appears to be mistranslated. The better meaning that satisfies the societal, historical and religious context is grape juice. Fortunately there are many who have have shared their findings about the actual meanings used in the original languages of the Book. The Juicy Truth of Biblical Wine - grossmissionaries.com is a good article to read. Short and to the point about the subject. I hope this link works.

It looks like rather than think of the context or Yahweh's final word on the subject of alcohol, early translators applied a generic word for alcoholic wine to just about all mentions of grape juice in ancient Hebrew. Some places it's accurate but not everywhere. Logic has to apply, not just someone's agenda. Logic has to take into account Yahweh's ordinances on drunkenness as well as everything else. Does he ignore his ordinance sometimes and enforce it in others? Think!!! Reason!!! Logic!!! We are made in Yahweh's image. He gave us these wonderful minds to use. Don't accept what you hear or read about the message of this priceless Book just because it's tradition and everyone says it. Confirm it for yourself!

I'm taking the time to write this because too many are satisfied to toss out meaningless verses as though they are proof. I've used this example of the first miracle because I know nearly all regular church goers don't look at this miracle as it is written in today's translations. I've presented this example and shocked audiences. 1. they have never followed the logical thought progression of the story, or if they did they did what I used to do, bury it as far down in my mind as possible. 2. they get angry at the messenger. 3. a few will say thank you.

I don't intend disrespect. I'm not trying to start a fruitless discussion. I'm trying to get you to take seriously this verse: Matthew 7:14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. I'm relieved when I find a difficult passage has been correctly taught. However, there have been so many different Bible translations, denominations, congregations, sermons and conversations with those that should know better, that have led me to error, that I trust less than I used to. This verse has taught me that my life is on the line. Apply logic to this verse and see what you find.

Accepted as written, I've found modern translations to contradict themselves. I have other things to do so you get to find out for yourself if it's true or not. So far, I have not found Hebrew and Greek to contradict themselves or each other. I'd rather expend the effort to dig out the true meaning of what my Father is saying to me than rely on an interpreter with an agenda. What you do is up to you.

 

[Wnl]

Hi All, after all these years as a believer, I don't think it matters
fundamentally what status you give Jesus.
All I know is that He changed my worthless life(lost in myself)
He set me FREE TO LOVE etc and all the rest of my selfish life.
long story.
With Love ,Wnl

 

[Br. Bear]

Hi All, after all these years as a believer, I don't think it matters
fundamentally what status you give Jesus.
All I know is that He changed my worthless life(lost in myself)
He set me FREE TO LOVE etc and all the rest of my selfish life.
long story.
With Love ,Wnl

sometimes we do better to bypass our brains and let His Spirit do the talking for us.
those groans that can not be uttered that we read about are deeply rooted in love, a mixture of His love with ours for Him


Bless you Wnl ....><>

 

[Sue D.]

@Wnl -- Jesus Christ is able To change lives Because He Is the Son of God and He did die on the cross in our sins. and He rose again bodily -- for us.

 

[Curtis]

It makes all the difference in the world who Jesus is. Jesus is Lord, God (the Word) who became flesh, who came to destroy the works of the Devil, and to rescue man from his sins!

 

[BlessedBeyondBelief]

God is the operating system. His creation are the applications.
They can interact with the operating system partially, but can never understand the fullness of the platform on which they are run on.

 

[Christ4Ever]

God is the operating system. His creation are the applications.
They can interact with the operating system partially, but can never understand the fullness of the platform on which they are run on.

Now reverse engineer this. Imagine how those in the past would interpret your words and how you would get them to understand it as we understand yours.

 

[BlessedBeyondBelief]

Now reverse engineer this. Imagine how those in the past would interpret your words and how you would get them to understand it as we understand yours.

To be succinct, I'd say,

God is the interminable entity that authors existence.

 

[Christ4Ever]

To be succinct, I'd say,

God is the interminable entity that authors existence.

How about an update that all apps, be they past present or future would understand: The Author of all things has an Existence that is without beginning or end.

God bless Brother!
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
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