We’ve all heard people tell us that religion and/or God is a creation of human beings. We have also been told our God is the God we want for ourselves.
In some ways we agree with these folks. For example, no one worships the gods of the Mayans anymore. Would anyone in modern culture worship a god who demands the sacrifice of children?
This line of reasoning makes sense of pagan gods. Does it make sense concerning the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Is this true of Jesus?
This is my point: If you are going to create your own god, all you can do is create whatever is in your experience and imagination. You would imagine a god who looked a lot like you and which reflected your ideas, ethics, and prejudices.
Therefore, you might create an angry, vengeful god who desired the death of children for a sacrifice, but you would not create an all-loving God who desires that you love other people. We only think of this kind of God because He revealed Himself to us in that way. Who would be able to imagine a God who loves us enough to give Himself for us? We can imagine a god who desires our children, but we would never expect a God who would give us His.
Isn’t it amazing how little God asks of us. God told Moses to command the people of Israel to “fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and to observe the Lord’s commands” that He gives us for our own good (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).
Micah noted that God does not demand our children, He simply wants our love and devotion. He gives us His devotion in return.
Micah summed it up this way: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
What a wonderful, loving, and kind God we serve. No one could make up a God like this. We can simply serve Him and love Him and His people in return.
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5 Responses
I guess I would want God to be a bit more direct imparting His Wisdom and the conditional terms He set in Relationship.
That word in Micah 6:8 “Humbly” is the only Hebrew word like it in the Old Testament, isn’t it? To be so inclined, sensitive, eager, responsive, devoted, attentive… Other suggestions on how to walk with God from this word root?
Interesting.
Blessings
i always enjoy reading your articles and i enjoyed this one as well. we definitely wouldn’t create a god for ourselves like our God. He is unlike any other. He is amazing, exceptional, majestic and worthy of worship and praise from all of His creation. thanks dr. b for reminding us of the unique character of our Lord and God!
I love this !
It seems certain that we would never have created a god like our God, Who has been revealed in Christ. But when we look at His revelation of Himself in restrospect, His perfection resonates deeply within us. The Lord of Lords and King of Kings came not in political or military power–not as an earthly king–but rather was born in a manger, of humble means and subjected to all the sufferings of the human family. He prayed for His tormenters, accusers and executioners; after having taught His disciples to love their enemies. How wonderful and glorious! How perfect! How clearly He has revealed the Truth to us that enables us to overcome the dark forces of evil and sets us free! May His name be praised forever and ever!
AMEN