Who do you believe God is?

By Alicia F

Everything you do, decision you make, path you choose hinges on the question, “Who do you believe God is?”

We heard from JP last week as he continued his James series. We camped out in James 3:13-18 speaking of 'Two Kinds of Wisdom.' James makes us take a hard look at our pride, what we believe is and is not wise and how we are living out wisdom.

JP asked “Who is God to you?” So…Is he Creator? Is He a big mean ruler? Is He a fun killer? Is He your lucky charm that you call on only in emergencies? Is He your loving Father, yearning for a relationship with you so He can set you free from the gripes of sin?

When you really ponder that question, it is challenging.

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Do you live your life like you actually believe God? Would others say about me, “She shows her good life by deeds done in humility that come from wisdom” (James 3:13)? What would they say about you?

True wisdom comes from knowledge and understanding that there is a God, by having a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, to live with Him forever in eternity. Reluctantly I admit that I am facing a situation right now where others are speaking into my life about an area that I’m struggling. I realize I have been looking through my own lens, my own perspective and “wisdom” (AKA Alicia’s justification), not at all through God’s lens of heavenly wisdom. No wonder there is disorder and division in my relationship – it’s because I am selfishly fighting for my own agenda (James 3:16). I have not asked God to show me His perspective or to provide me with His wisdom. If I do ask, then actually BELIEVE He will provide, wisdom will be given to me (James 1:5-6).

Just like JP mentioned Shaq and Kobe’s conflict - think of someone at work you compete with (potentially in an unhealthy way), a boyfriend/girlfriend/friend/parent/sibling you fight with often. Are you prideful in your perspective, fighting anyone else’s perspective in order to keep your agenda? Is it not out of our own selfish ambition or envy that there is disorder and evil practice? The bible says heavenly wisdom is first – pure. It is also peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17). Those are radical descriptives to consider when relating to each other. I have not been submissive, pure or peace-loving in this conflict as my friends – based on GOD’S TRUTH – speak into my struggle. I pray that as I focus on who God is, the loving, faithful, sovereign Father, I will slowly begin to loosen my gripe on this sin so that my sinful perspective gets smaller and smaller. As I study God’s word to gain wisdom, truly trust in God’s character, it is then that by His grace I accept humility in action and deed. Through these experiences I fully come to trust in the God I say I believe.

I am praying we are all transformed by our belief in God towards heavenly wisdom.

Praying for you guys!