Who is God?

First things first, God exists. Psalm 14:1 says that only fools believe that there is no God. Though we cannot see him with our physical eyes, we certainly can see the works of his hands. Just think about the unique design of the earth; it has the right mixture of atmospheric gases, the right amount of water and appropriate temperatures to enable humans live and function. No other planet is designed for human existence like earth. Think about water: a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid no living thing can do without. Plants, animals, and humans all need water to survive. Think about the seasons and how they change. In winter, it is all cold and gloomy, the leaves drop and flowers wilt and by spring everything just comes back to life. Think about the human brain and how it is able to absorb so much information.We have learned so much from the time we were born up until now and we can still vividly remember some events that occurred when we were really young. E.g I still remember my 3rd birthday :). These few things I've mentioned all attest to the existence of a supreme being and a great designer. Surely there is an almighty God and no one can tell me otherwise!

In my opinion, people choose not to believe in God for two reasons: first is the fear of accountability and second is a lack of understanding of the nature of God. For the first reason, people just want to "enjoy" their lives and live it anyhow they want without being responsible to anyone. The second reason applies to people who have lost faith in God or feel disappointed by him because something did not go the way they wanted it to. For people in the first category, Romans 14:12 says that we're each going to give account of our lives to God. Another way to look at it is this: I have nothing to lose by living my life with the belief that God exists and then at the end finding out that he doesn't than living my life with the belief that God does not exist and then at the end finding out that he indeed does. Really what can you do if you find yourself in the latter situation? Now, back to the people in the second category, Romans 8:28 says that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 reads "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope". What  I want to draw out of these verses is that in life things may not always go the way we want but we must understand that God is a wonderful father who causes all things whether bad or ugly to work out in our favor. Finally to people in both categories, God loves you.

This brings us to the big question in this post: "Who is God?" God is love (1 John 4:8). John 3:16 NLT says "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life". Isn't it amazing that God sent his most prized possession just to save us? Back in the old testament, God required the sacrifice of animals for the atonement of sin and this is because "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). I'm sure you may be wondering why animals? Animals were used because they were innocent and the shedding of their blood served as the substitute for the sinner's life. So people had to carry out sacrifice on a yearly basis since the blood of the animal only temporarily covered their sins. Similarly, when Jesus died on the cross, he took the place of the innocent animal which had to be sacrificed yearly because he too did nothing wrong yet his blood was shed so you and I's sins could be forgiven. He paid the ultimate sacrifice once and for all. So our past, present, and future sins have all been forgiven! We no longer have to kill animals on a yearly basis praise God for that!

We sometimes fail to recognize how much God loves us and we think of him as a distant angry person sitting on his throne and waiting to just judge people but that is not at all who he is. He "is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love" (Psalm 145:8). Yes, we get on God's nerves many times but he is not like humans who are sometimes quick tempered. Even when he is not happy with us, his love for us still remains; it is "unfailing" (constant, endless, unrelenting). Of course, the fact that God loves us so much is not an excuse for us to live in sin and take his grace for granted. However, let's always remember that nothing can ever separate us from God's love and that even when we sin he is ready to forgive us and cleanse us if we just confess (1 John 1:9). Always keep this bible verse below in your heart. If you even need to recite it everyday, do so!

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love". (Romans 8:38 NLT)

One last thing, get your hearts and mind ready for the next post where would discuss the different names of God :)