How Do You View God?

Paul Froese and Christopher Bader published a book last year entitled America's Four Gods — What We Say About God and What That Says About Us.  In their studies they discovered that 95% of Americans believe in a God, but their views of Him can be broken down into four varying perceptions:

• About 28% believe in an "authoritative" God who is engaged in the world and judgmental
• About 22% in an engaged but "benevolent" God who loves us despite our failings
• About 21% conceive of a "critical" God who keeps track of our sins and may render judgment in the afterlife
• About 24% see a "distant" God who set the universe in motion but is not involved in day-to-day life

Take their test online to see what your view of God is.  My results showed I believe in an authoritarian God.

If you had to describe God in one word, what word would you use?  I think I would use the word "holy."  I personally think this word encapsulates who God  is best.

David Wells in No Place for Truth, Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology? wrote:

"Sin is defiance of God's holiness, the Cross is the outworking and victory of God's holiness, and faith is the recognition of God's holiness. Knowing that God is holy is therefore the key to knowing life as it truly is, knowing Christ as He truly is, knowing why He came, and knowing how life will end."

The one command that makes me tremble at the thought of my own unholiness is ""Be holy, for I am holy." I Peter 1:15  The preceding verse commands us to be holy in all our conduct and behavior.  When I have a proper view of God I will obey His commands and treat my fellow man as God instructs me to.  Isn't this what is summed up in the two greatest commands:  to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind and to love my neighbor as myself?  Matthew 22:37-39  I have a dear friend of mine who when faced with temptation verbally asked himself "How could I do this and grieve my Savior?"  A proper view of God is sin's best prevention.

In Revelation we find creatures declaring "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" both day and night.  I enjoy the Revelation song as it reminds me that if these creatures can declare God's holiness, how much more should we who have experienced His saving grace?  Here are the lyrics:

Revelation Song by Kari Jobe

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You 

For a video of Kari singing it visit this link.