You cannot get closer to God than you concept of God will allow

[George]

Shalom everyone,

I was listening to an interesting sermon this Shabbat and the quote I'd like to explore is this ...

"You cannot get closer to God than you concept of God will allow!"

What does this mean .... if you're perception of God is a hard father figure ... your perception of God as a loving Father is warped ... and thus, will prevent how close you will get to your Heavenly Father.

So I'd like to explore the one place in the Bible that God describes Himself ...

Exo 34:5  The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 
Exo 34:6  The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 
Exo 34:7  keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” 

So we have the description of God from God ... starts with MERCY ... then GRACE ... PATIENT, abounding in never ending love ... faithfulness ... forgiveness ... finally justice.

Have you ever considered if your "perception of God" may limit your "understanding" of God?  I'm curious.

God bless,

George

[Dr Quist]

I think that this is actually an extremely powerful concept - one that extends to all of our relationships. Whether it is our Lord, our brother or sister, or even the person who glances our way from across the street, our own concepts and preconceptions regarding that person will determine the potential level of fellowship we can attain with them. It is critical that we constantly seek the truth - the real truth, not our own biased perception of it - so that we can draw as close to our Lord and to others as we are called to draw. Freedom from our own limitations begins with knowing the truth about our God and ourselves.

[Debp]

I always considered God a loving heavenly Father.   However, I know that some people who perceive of God as a hard taskmaster or a punishing  figure often have difficulties believing in God.   Or sometimes if they do believe in God, they might become very hard or judgmental towards others.

[enoob57]

I believe it is in direct proportion to the dying to self... then I am enabled to receive them without the bias of self preference....

[Justin Adams]

I once heard it stated that we may give as much as we understand of ourselves to as much of God as we understand. Then stand back and see His Grace and Love in action.

[Not me]

I once listened to an audio book named “I dared to call Him Father”. It was about a Muslim who asked God which was correct, the Koran or the Bible and the response was “whichever one puts Me forth as a Father”. 

Seeing God for Who He is, is what draws one to Him. For how can one resist His love but by not knowing it is there. 

Blessings to all, Not me   

Edited August 5, 2019 by Not me

[George]

23 minutes ago, Dr Quist said:

I think that this is actually an extremely powerful concept - one that extends to all of our relationships. Whether it is our Lord, our brother or sister, or even the person who glances our way from across the street, our own concepts and preconceptions regarding that person will determine the potential level of fellowship we can attain with them. It is critical that we constantly seek the truth - the real truth, not our own biased perception of it - so that we can draw as close to our Lord and to others as we are called to draw. Freedom from our own limitations begins with knowing the truth about our God and ourselves.

Excellent post ... and interesting how this concept does truly extend into all our relationships.  Imagine if we looked at our brothers and sisters as God looks at them.  Would we more gracious and loving in our responses to those whom we consider at odds with our views?  

[George]

21 minutes ago, Debp said:

I always considered God a loving heavenly Father.   However, I know that some people who perceive of God as a hard taskmaster or a punishing  figure often have difficulties believing in God.   Or sometimes if they do believe in God, they might become very hard or judgmental towards others.

So true ... and if we think of God as "distant" would we also be "distant" with those around us? 

[George]

4 minutes ago, Not me said:

I once listened to a audio book named “I dared to call Him Father”. It was about a Muslim who asked God which was correct, the Koran or the Bible and the response was “whichever one puts Me forth as a Father”. 

Seeing God for Who He is, is what draws one to Him. For how can one resist His love but by not knowing it is there. 

Blessings to all, Not me   

Amen! 

The whole core of Islam is from Ishmael, the effects of how Abraham casted out Ishmael and how this affects those trapped in Islam today!  Amazing, how this concept is also affecting the generations that followed Ishmael's banishment.  This is at the heart of the issue at how to reach "Muslims" for the Lord!

[George]

Another aspect to this idea ... if you felt as if your father loved you based on your "performance" ... would this also affect your understanding of how God loves?   This is another avenue to explore as well.