Knowing God

Pastor A. W. Tozer wrote, “What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” If Tozer were alive today, he might discover that his quote is obsolete for many Christians. Our problem is not so much what enters our mind when we think about God, but rather that we’re not thinking about Him enough. Like a distant rich uncle, God tends to come to mind only when we need something from Him. Perhaps we would think more about Him if we better understood who He is.

One of God’s attributes is love (1 John 4:8,16). His matchless love is reflected in the perfect relationship experienced by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three Persons selflessly (from the Greek word agape) revealing the beauty of God in their individual roles—all one loving God. Jesus modeled this reality when He prayed in Gethsemane, “Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine” (Luke 22:42).

God’s selfless love overflowed the boundary of the Trinity at creation. He did not need to create you and me, but it is just like God—who is love—to create others to love.

He possesses other attributes, such as holiness, that comprise His complete character. But God “does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve,” but “is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him” (vv.10,13). His selfless way continues despite our sin. He is “slow to get angry,” giving us time and space to repent of our sin and turn to Him (v.8). God “loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16).

Today, let’s truly think about God—Creator, Redeemer, and selfless Lover of you and me.

—Mike Wittmer

Taken from “Our Daily Journey”