The Bible describes itself as “The Word of God” (Bible References Below). As a result, it demands those who read it, view its content as an accurate compilation of a unified, yet diverse message provided and preserved by God Himself. The Bible, over the course of history, was proportionally delivered to man (generic for man and woman) through select writers chosen and inspired by God for the purpose of communicating His will to mankind.
In short, the Bible is primarily meant to act as a guide to help us better understand God and His expectations of us. Without it, anyone can claim to know God and His purpose for them.
If the God of the Bible truly exists and has communicated to us through the Bible, then by default, the Bible is the most important document known to mankind. If the Bible truly is a message from God, then the moral absolutes contained in it are valuable truths distinguishing right from wrong. These concepts would thus formulate the very basis of personal and corporate standards, and accountability among men.
If the Bible truly is God’s Word, as with all absolutes, ignorance, disbelief or intolerance of it do not nullify its relevance, nor our need to humble ourselves before it. Rather, our rejection lays the groundwork for an ultimate, terrifying, face-to-face showdown with the Divine Author come eternity (Romans 2:5-6). Why? Because the Bible assumes itself to be so clear and understandable, rejection of any primary truth is inexcusable, even by those claiming to be God’s followers (Matthew 7:21-23).
The preceding leads us to ask the question, who is the God of the Bible? Is the God of the Bible a he, she or it? The Old and New Testaments were written in the Hebrew and Greek languages. Both languages have a masculine, feminine and neuter to describe the gender of a person, place or thing. This affords the author the privilege of affixing the gender of God as masculine, feminine or neuter. The author opted to identify God in the masculine gender. The concept of God as a masculine being is validated through the continued use of terms such as “Father” and “Son,” rather than “mother,” “daughter” or “it.”
When God identified Himself by gender, His purpose was not to exalt the masculine and demean the feminine. This becomes evident when one reads passages such as Mark 12:25, where Jesus says, “For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” And in Galatians 3:26-28 it says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
The Bible also teaches us, God is spirit, without sin, and perfect in holiness, justice and truth. It describes God as love and full of benevolence, grace and mercy. He is portrayed as being consistent in His character and essence, all-knowing, all-powerful and an eternal being who is everywhere (Bible References Below).2
If the God of the Bible truly exists, and He is the all-powerful Creator and sustainer of all things, then knowing and maintaining a right relationship with Him is the most important thing a person can do. In the rush of the moment, it may not seem important, but with eternity ever before us, waiting may prove relationally fatal.
Why is it important to know and learn about the God of the Bible? Because He has made it very clear He has established specific expectations for us. In spite of the way some professing “Christians” demean God through low standards, childish attitudes and speech, God continues to take note of every aspect of our life.
The true God of the Bible is spiritually, ethically and morally conservative in nature. He cares a great deal about the modesty of our dress, attitude, sexuality, finances, work, priorities, etc. Like it or not, reject Him if you please, the God of the Bible is far more conservative than even the most conservative person we know.
How conservative is He? Jesus says in Matthew 12:36, “…every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” In Hebrews 13:17, the Bible says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
Matthew 5:27-28 says, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” What we speak, how we act, and even what we think are held to the most conservative standards by God.
Unlike humans, who succumb to peer pressure, God is willing to stand alone. He is not interested in being our buddy, nor “earning” our respect. God’s single-minded objective is to fulfill that which He already is—The Almighty God.
Many “Christian” and non-Christian people are setting themselves up for the shock of their life. One day God Himself will expose the ways in which each of us have dishonored Him in this world. The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:11, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” Persuade men, for what purpose? To prepare themselves for “the terror of the Lord,” that great day in which man will account to God, and He will expose not only sin, but the false and shallow worship, prayers and songs offered up in “His name.” Do not take my word for it; read God’s Word!2
The God of the Bible expects us to recognize the pure, holy and just nature of His personal makeup. This is important because the Bible teaches that nothing impure can enter His presence. The Bible teaches all men are born with the inclination to place their personal interests above God’s interests. It notes God has instilled within us a conscience to help us determine right from wrong. Man has the freedom to use the conscience as a springboard to becoming pure, holy and just, or to suppress it and place our own desires above God’s. All men and women, with the exception of Jesus Christ, have willfully subjugated God’s will in place of their own, thus becoming impure, unholy and unjust in the eyes of God. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The good news is the God of the Bible is merciful up to the very moment of death. In 2 Peter 3:9, the Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” The word “repentance” simply means to turn from one thing to another. God desires “all,” without exception, turn from self to Savior.
If the God of the Bible is God, you have everything to lose and nothing to gain by rejecting or ignoring the personal relationship He desires with you. If the God of the Bible truly is God, can you afford to delay another day to make things right with Him? Can you afford to gamble with an eternal decision that is permanently sealed at the time of death? God has provided a way to right all the wrongs each of us have done. But the remedy can only be consummated by the living, not the dead.
The Bible is perhaps the most accurate document preserved through history. Its reliability and accuracy far surpasses most, if not all, ancient documents. How is this possible? Because the God of the Bible is real and He has made certain you have an opportunity to read, interact and accept it as your own.
Are you prepared to embrace the single most important relationship you could ever enter into? If so, go before God this moment and share your trust with Him.
11 Kings 12:22; Proverbs 30:5; 1 Chronicles 17:3; Luke 3:2, 5:1, 11:28; John 10:35; Acts 4:31; 6:7; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:5; Revelations 20:4
2 God is: Spirit – Luke 24:39; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17. Holy – Leviticus 11:44-45; Joshua 24:19; 1 Samuel 6:20; John 17:11; Hebrews 12:10; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 1:5. Just/Righteous – 2 Chronicles 12:6; Ezra 9:15; Nehemiah 9:33; John 17:25; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelations 16:5. Truthful – John 17:3; 1 John 5:20; Romans 3:4. Love – Ephesians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 John 4:8, 16. Benevolent – Job 38:41; Psalm 145:9; Matthew 5:45. Grace – Exodus 34:6; 1 Peter 3:20; Ephesians 1:7-8. Mercy – James 5:11. Consistent – Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17. All knowing – Psalm 147:4-5; Matthew 10:30; Matthew 11:20-22. All powerful – Genesis 17:1; Matthew 19:26; Revelations 19:6. Eternal – Genesis 21:33; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 102;27. Everywhere – 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Jeremiah 23:24.
3Judgment Seat of Christ – Romans 14:10-13; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.