Understanding God
Understanding God11
Of the Nature of God.
By John Gill0EXO 33:20JHN 4:22ACT 17:29ROM 1:20GAL 4:8PHP 2:6COL 2:9HEB 11:62PE 1:41JN 4:16John Gill explores the profound nature of God, emphasizing that while God's essence is incomprehensible to human understanding, it is essential to recognize Him as the ultimate Creator, distinct from all created beings. He asserts that God is a Spirit, not corporeal, and possesses a divine nature that is shared equally among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit without division. Gill highlights that God's attributes, such as omniscience and omnipotence, reflect His simplicity and unity, and that our understanding of God should be rooted in both natural revelation and divine scripture. He encourages believers to seek a deeper understanding of God, despite the limitations of human comprehension, and to worship Him in spirit and truth.
Purifying Conceptions of God
By A.W. Tozer0PSA 103:14HOS 6:3JHN 17:3ROM 12:21CO 13:12EPH 4:13PHP 1:92TI 2:15HEB 5:14JAS 1:5A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of purifying our conceptions of God, acknowledging that when we first come to faith, our understanding is often clouded by superstition, ignorance, and error. He explains that while conversion brings some clarity, many misconceptions about God remain, shaped by flawed teachings and personal biases. Tozer encourages believers to actively seek a deeper knowledge of God, as this pursuit will gradually refine their understanding and eliminate unworthy notions. He reassures that God is patient with our imperfections, recognizing our human limitations as we grow in faith.
Evening Thoughts - April
By Octavius Winslow0DEU 6:4JOB 36:26JHN 1:16JHN 14:91CO 12:262CO 5:15PHP 3:201JN 4:20REV 3:1REV 3:17Octavius Winslow reflects on the nature of God and the believer's relationship with Him, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's spiritual essence in prayer. He encourages believers to focus on God's character rather than attempting to comprehend His infinite nature, and to approach Him through Jesus Christ, who embodies the divine. Winslow highlights the necessity of living for God, the significance of love among believers, and the comfort found in God's presence during trials. He reassures that God is always ready to comfort those who are cast down, and that true prayer is a vital connection between the believer and God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
What Can You Know?
By J.C. Ryle0JOB 11:7J.C. Ryle addresses the profound questions posed by Zophar in Job 11:7-8, emphasizing that while we cannot fully comprehend God, we can know enough to affirm our faith amidst a wave of modern skepticism. He argues that many aspects of both the Bible and the natural world remain mysterious, yet this should not deter belief; rather, it highlights human limitations. Ryle encourages Christians to embrace the truths of their faith, recognizing the historical impact of Christ and the transformative power of Christianity in contrast to other belief systems. He calls for a deeper understanding of the evidence supporting Christianity to combat doubts and strengthen faith. Ultimately, Ryle reassures believers that while we may not understand everything, we can find peace and hope in the truths revealed in Scripture.
a.w. Tozer Quotes
By A.W. Tozer1PSA 46:10PSA 139:14PRO 3:5ISA 40:31MAT 6:33ROM 12:2COL 3:2HEB 11:6JAS 4:101JN 4:16A.W. Tozer emphasizes the significance of our thoughts about God, asserting that they shape our identity and spiritual journey. He highlights the importance of surrendering to God, suggesting that true progress in faith comes when we relinquish control and allow God to work within us. Tozer critiques the man-centered approach of modern Christianity, advocating for a God-centered perspective that recognizes God's sovereignty and moral excellence. He warns that without a proper understanding of God, society risks moral decay, and he calls for a deep, personal relationship with God that encompasses our entire being.
Concerning God
By G. Campbell Morgan0MAT 6:8JHN 4:24JHN 5:17JHN 10:17JHN 14:7JHN 14:9JHN 16:28G. Campbell Morgan explores the teachings of Jesus concerning God, emphasizing that while Jesus assumed God's existence, He did not provide a systematic theology but revealed God through His life and actions. Morgan highlights that God is a Spirit, a Father who knows and cares for His creation, and a Lord whose law is rooted in love. The sermon underscores the importance of understanding God through the person of Jesus Christ, who embodies the ultimate revelation of God. Morgan concludes that knowing Jesus is essential to knowing God, as He is the manifestation of God's nature and character.
K-513 Theology of Exile (2 of 2)
By Art Katz15K59:38EXO 3:2EZK 37:1Art Katz emphasizes the significance of understanding God's judgment as a means to grasp His true nature, particularly in the context of the Holocaust and the exile of Israel. He argues that judgment is not contrary to God's mercy but is essential for a complete understanding of His character. By examining the painful realities of judgment, believers can deepen their knowledge of God and avoid a distorted view of Him. Katz challenges the church to confront uncomfortable truths about sin and judgment, suggesting that true faith emerges from grappling with these difficult concepts. Ultimately, he calls for a prophetic understanding that reconciles God's judgment with His mercy, urging believers to seek a deeper relationship with God through the examination of these profound issues.
"A Proper Concept of God"
By A.W. Tozer0JHN 14:7A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical importance of having a proper concept of God, arguing that a nation's moral and spiritual condition is directly tied to its understanding of the divine. He warns against the prevalent low views of God, which lead to a diluted faith and ineffective evangelism. Tozer asserts that true knowledge of God comes through Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals the Father to humanity. He calls for believers to seek a higher understanding of God, moving away from trivial and distorted images, and to embrace the holiness and sovereignty of God as revealed in Scripture. Ultimately, Tozer encourages individuals to cultivate a personal relationship with God through humility and confession, leading to a deeper knowledge of Him.
Our Faith Reflects Our Concept of God
By A.W. Tozer0PSA 9:10PRO 3:5ISA 40:28JER 29:11MAT 17:20JHN 14:13ROM 10:17EPH 3:20HEB 11:61JN 5:10A.W. Tozer emphasizes that the destiny of individuals and nations is closely tied to their conception of God. He argues that a nation's strength is reflected in its faith, and as Rome's understanding of God weakened, so did its moral and societal fabric. Tozer asserts that faith is fundamentally rooted in the character of God, and a low view of God leads to weak faith. He warns that unbelief is a serious sin, equating it to calling God a liar, which undermines His trustworthiness. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a higher understanding of God to strengthen both personal faith and the church.
Misreading God's Self-Revelation
By A.W. Tozer0PSA 19:1ROM 1:20A.W. Tozer emphasizes that humans are naturally inclined to heresy and error, instinctively gravitating towards falsehoods. While natural theology reveals some truth about God's glory through creation, it remains insufficient for a complete understanding of God. Tozer argues that divine revelation through Scripture is essential to fill in the details of God's nature and character, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate the full picture of truth. He highlights the importance of relying on God's Word to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of Him.
God Understands Us
By A.W. Tozer0PSA 103:14PSA 147:3ISA 40:29MAT 11:28JHN 3:16ROM 5:82CO 12:9EPH 2:8HEB 12:61PE 5:7A.W. Tozer emphasizes that God embodies patience and goodwill, inviting us to embrace our imperfections and trust in His understanding and love. He reassures us that we please God not through our own efforts to be good, but by surrendering ourselves to Him, recognizing that He desires our fellowship. God's discipline is delivered with a loving smile, reflecting His joy in our growth as His children. Ultimately, Tozer conveys that God's love for us is profound, valuing our relationship above all creation, and He is fully aware of our human frailty.