I think it’s sad when someone sees God more as a judge and taskmaster than as a leader and a friend.
However, is it any wonder if they interact with those in their world more as a judge and a taskmaster, rather than as a leader and a friend?
Our true, deep, perception of God towards us—will deeply affect our perception towards others.
If you want to know how someone sees God and His love, listen to their words, watch their actions, consider their worldview.
Scarily incriminating, I know.
In our defense, for those of us in Christ—we will fail this test in one degree or another in our lives. The world should never rely on the students as a complete reflection of the Teacher. We’re human and we won’t reflect perfectly. It is not right for any adult looking on, to base all their opinions of Christianity on the actions of its followers. It’s ideal, yes. But it shouldn’t be relied on completely. Only the Perfect Example is worthy of that deep of reliance.
But there is still a place of responsibility on our part—on the part of those who are His—to be aware and sensitive to how God’s image is reflected through us.
If we see God as slightly distant from our hearts, only coming near when we are “perfect enough” in His sight—all sins confessed properly, all ducks in a row …I think we may project a very sad conditional sort of love on those around us.
If we see God only as our Judge, forgetting the advocacy of His Son, we may bear a burden of shame and guilt and this may take fruit in judging others harshly. Expecting way more than we should ever expect from those around us.
If we see God as a taskmaster, content to give us love only when we have “lived up to a certain standard” …we may place unnecessary burdens on those around us, in order for them to receive our love and affection.
If we see God’s ways as only black and white rules, where sin is always “this”, and righteousness is always “that”, we may regulate everyone around us through this same framework—in effect, being a god of our own making, with our own set of rules. Yet, without the wisdom and power and infinite understanding that belongs to the Only God.
I know that last one might raise some controversy. Aren’t God’s laws black and white?! I think they can both be black and white *and* seemingly gray. God’s infinite-ness goes beyond our comprehension and we are not acting brightly when we put Him and His ways into a box.
It’s very easy in the Christian tradition to try and put God into boxes of understanding, place our seal of approval upon the concepts and say, “this is it”. The challenge is, God’s ways are beyond us. While He firmly says, “do not lie”, we read His approval of the midwives in Exodus. If Hosea had been an godly elder in a church today and stood up one Sunday and said, “God told me to go marry a woman who is currently active in the red-light district”, most of us would likely be horrified and probably try to tell him how his “hearing from God” surely could not be Biblical.
I think we may want to create boxes because we want to try to grasp Him and His ways and somehow get a hold of it all. Perhaps for the sake of safety—for the hope of “figuring it all out” to the human mind. Oftentimes, this effort may only lead to human-made traps that can end up tripping the Christian world and causing a lot of wounds.
It’s hard, because in a sense, we are dealing with metaphorical fire. To “open up” to all the possibilities of God does not always feel safe. It can feel dangerous—a possibility for heretical, sacrilegious things rise up—things that people could do and claim “God said it”, when in reality it was simply their own natures leading them astray.
Ultimately, it goes back to our earlier point.
Each soul’s relationship with God.
The more that we know and understand God as His child, the freer we become from all the concerns and boxes of men and the more likely we are to walk in the true light, life and perfection of Christ. It will mean, however, that God may call us to do and say things that the Church might question.
Oh, the quandary of it all!
But it narrows down to a narrow way …the soul’s walk with God.
Only two—an exclusive relationship that is divine and precious in a way that no other human relationship can truly reach. A deep form of being in touch that our souls long for.
The more we truly know Him, the more we will act like Him. The more we will reflect an accurate image of God’s true love for the world.
Who is God to you?
