What is God really like?
May 28, 2010
The Base for Grace - part one in a study of the book of Hebrews
Mike Gaudet
God is . . .
. . . harsh, frightening, violent?
. . . gentle, fatherly, peaceful?
Both lists are biblical.
What is God really like?
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:1-3
God is self-revealing by nature. Talkative. An extravert.
God spoke through prophets.
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways.” The words of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah are preserved for us in the Bible. We can learn about God by reading the words of the prophets.
God speaks through His Son.
If we want to hear God speak clearly, we need to listen to the words of Jesus Christ. Creation and the prophets reveal God partially. Jesus reveals God fully. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
We see the glory of God the Father reflected in the face of God the Son.
What is “glory”?
Imagine a child returning home after a long time away. Family and friends are gathered for a welcome home party. When the child arrives, the faces of those waiting “light up” with love and joy. This is glory.
Glory is esteem. It is the regard that enfolds one who is loved. To be bathed in the light of people’s regard is to be bathed in people’s glory. To be bathed in the light of God’s regard is to be bathed in God’s glory.
God the Father impressed His love on His Son.
Jesus is the “exact representation of His being.” A “representation” is the likeness a stamp makes on an object. Jesus was stamped by the love of God.
We call God’s love into question. When we experience trouble, we assume that God has abandoned us. Jesus never doubted the presence of the Father with Him. He expressed His divine nature by His steadfast refusal to live outside of the glory of His Father. Jesus lived His entire life in the light of the Father’s regard.
God the Father expressed His love through His Son.
The Old Testament can be confusing. In fact, the Old and New Testaments of the Bible don’t seem to be talking about the same God! In the Old Testament we find genocide . . . bloody rituals. We wonder if we really want to know the God that we read about there!
So . . . what is God really like?
Jesus is the “radiance” of God’s glory. Through Jesus’ words and deeds the true nature of God’s love fully shines.
God’s prophets revealed His shadow. God’s Son revealed His face.
How does God feel about you?
His face lights up.