This is a personal conviction I have
held for a couple of decades: “If a person’s life is to be changed, his/her view
of God must be changed.” Conversion is about a dramatic shift in the focus of
the core of one’s being. Conversion is NOT about a few minor changes in surface
considerations. Too often we have transformed the concept of conversion to
cosmetic changes affecting superficial appearances while being unconcerned that
the “convert” doggedly clings to a godless focus in his or her life. Often he or
she has not seen God for Who He is. From “non-convert” to “convert,” his or her
view of God remains unchanged. He or she just made the necessary superficial
changes to acquire some insurance against catastrophe after death.
Consider your view of God. Compare what you think God is like with some of the
declarations of scripture.
One time Moses asked God to show Himself to him. God explained Moses’ request
was impossible because if human Moses looked upon the holy God, he would die.
God did allow Moses to view His glory. In that episode, God gave this
self-description: Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed,
The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow
to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness
for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no
means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the
children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations
(Exodus 34:6, 7).
Near the end of his life, Moses made this statement to Israel:
For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not
fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He
swore to them (Deuteronomy 4:31).
Centuries later Nehemiah encouraged a renewal of faith in God among returning
Israelites. Nehemiah 9 is an “honesty session” that assumes human responsibility
and declares God’s greatness. As a part of the renewal, the people confessed
their sins and acknowledged the iniquities of their ancestors. In speaking of
their ancestors and their God, Nehemiah 9:17 states, They
refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had
performed among them; so they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return
to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and
compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and You did not
forsake them.
Paraphrased: ‘Our ancestors who left Egypt forgot what You did for them. In
their stubbornness and arrogance, they thought they could solve their
discontentment by returning. They were utter spiritual failures. In Your
compassion and graciousness, You forgave. You were slow to anger and filled with
mercy. They failed You, but You refused to forsake them.’
Interestingly, in our view of God we stress His vengeful, exacting nature when
He who is “slow to anger” was angered. We see His vengeance. In the same
instances they saw His mercy and forgiveness. Who sees God the most accurately?
Link to other Writings of David Chadwell