I have certain strong beliefs regarding the relationship between God and myself. Some formed as I first met my Lord. Others developed over time by absorbing His written Word, fellowshipping with Him, and being touched by His grace. Those who kept on loving and trusting God even through difficult and heartbreaking situations and remained faithful for the long haul also made a huge impact on me. I am grateful for their examples and selflessness. Some lessons learned resulted after receiving mercy when I failed. Others were reinforced through godly, loving relationships. I hope these values will shore up
your faith as well. His love for us is extreme. He is not required to love us but chooses to. You might say love and holiness are entwined in His self-designed nature. He is far beyond simply great. He truly is Abba, Father to those who love Him. He is God of all creation. I would like to share these beliefs as
presented in the edited version of ‘A Firm Belief’ from “Father, You Sure Raised One Fine Son!” the book I wrote:
I believe that God is my creator. As my creator, He has certain entitlements to my life. He has the right to determine my destiny and purpose. Since He created me for His pleasure, He has the right to require me to be pleasing to Him. [Revelation 4:11-12 (KJV) Though art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and
honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.] As my creator, His rights are unlimited. He has full access to my every thought, plan or dream. He may choose to reveal His own thoughts and plans to me; but may also conceal them. I believe there is no
valid excuse for me, as His creation, not to live according to these beliefs.
I have failed God. I do fail God. If I continue to live on this earth, in all probability, I will fail God. He has every right to discard me. He has every right to reject me. He has every right to do whatever He so desires to deal with me. [Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor
hot. I wish you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”]
However, I believe that God is more than just my creator. I believe He treasures me as His creation and would rather redeem than reject me. [See Psalm 8:4-5 and 2 Peter 3:9]. I believe that God provided a way, the only way for my redemption through the blood sacrifice on the cross of His perfect Son, Jesus.
[See John 14:6]. Jesus took all my sins upon Himself, died in my place, and rose to life again. [John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Also see Revelation chapter five where Jesus is worshipped in heaven for His sacrificial act of love and mercy.] In addition to being my creator, God is my redeemer.
Furthermore, I believe the moment I chose by faith to trust in God through His perfect Son Jesus, God re-created me as His very own child [See Ephesians 1:4-5 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-18]. Prior to my re-creation, I would often only live in a manner that appeared to please God when motivated by fear or other temporal or selfish emotions. Others were fooled by apparent good behavior, but not God. He thoroughly knew my heart then and knows it now. God has full awareness of every vile sin and tainted motive (even when I do not). Now that I have been re-created, I have a strong and genuine desire to please Him. In addition to being my creator and redeemer, God has become my Lord, my Father and my friend. Now if I fail Him, I am deeply grieved, hurry back to Him, and receive His mercy and grace. I desire to relate to Him intimately. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit grant me the blessed unearned privilege of doing so and help me along the way.
I believe God loves me. I do not know why He does, but I am grateful for His love. God does not owe me love, grace or anything else for that matter. People who claim that God owes them fail to comprehend what ‘sovereign’ means. What He offers is a gift, not a debt that He is obliged to pay. Never the less, God desires that all would approach His throne of grace and become recipients of His love. That includes you and all the people in your sphere of influence.