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What is God?
The concept of God has been around for centuries, yet it’s still a topic that continues to be debated. What is God?, Does He exist in the form most associated with Him? Why should I believe in Him if what’s written in the Bible is all I know? Is there a higher power at all? These are some of the questions many people have regarding understanding who God is and why we should read more than just what’s in the Bible. In this article, GodsYou will explore these questions and more as we seek to understand better who God is and why exploring His character further can enrich our lives.
God is Love
When we think of love, we often think of a feeling. But feelings are fickle—they come and go. True love is so much more than a feeling. It’s always a decision to choose what’s best and right, even when it’s not easy. And that’s who God is. He is Love personified.
God is love, and because He is love, He desires our good above all else. He wants what’s best for us and created all that we need to create the world we think we want. He gave us free will which is His biggest gift and shows how much He loves us. His perfect love casts out all fear because when we know someone loves us perfectly, completely, and unconditionally, we don’t have to be afraid anymore. We can relax and rest in His love.
God is everything there is. God is in all the plants and rocks, animals and people, and everything in between.
Is God Man-Made?
What is God? Many people believe that God is man-made and that we created Him in our image and likeness. But the truth is that God has always existed. He is the one who created us.
Perhaps the real issue is that our understanding of God is man-made, that our modern-day interpretation of the bible is man-made.
Some interpretations of the Bible make God out to be petty, vengeful, and malevolent. He appears to dole out punishments, trials, and sufferings to people to provide discipline and correction for ‘wrongdoing’. Perhaps these interpretations are just ways of keeping people in line, living in fear, and connected to the church.
God is so much more than this pettiness. He is loving and kind and just and only wants the best for us.
The Wisdom of Other Religions
There are many religions in the world, each with its unique beliefs and much wisdom to be found in their scriptures and writings. While the Bible is the authoritative source of Christian teaching, it is not the only religious text that contains truth and wisdom. Other religions, such as Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, have their sacred texts full of guidance and insight.
For example, Buddhism teaches that life is full of suffering and that our desires and attachments cause this suffering. This teaching can help you let go of material possessions and focus on what truly matters.
Hinduism teaches that we are all part of an eternal birth, death, and rebirth cycle. This can help you to see life from a broader perspective and to be less attached to earthly things.
Studying other religions’ wisdom can help Christians better understand their faith. It can also provide a broader perspective on the world and how different people view God. Reading religious texts from other traditions can be a valuable way to learn about other cultures and gain a new understanding of the human experience.
Rest assured that there is nothing to fear from exploring other religions. Other religions offer insights and guidance that are new to you and are of great benefit. You may learn much about God that you didn’t already know. Increasing your knowledge is not a bad thing to do at all, and you cannot be punished for it.
Our God is not jealous or vengeful. Our God does not give you free will, only to send you to hell for ‘wrongdoing’. God is love and does not do these things.
One of the most important things to remember is that no one religion has a monopoly on truth. Just because someone follows a different religion does not mean they are automatically wrong about everything.
Don’t be afraid to explore different ideas and perspectives. The more you learn, the closer you will feel to God. Trust that He is leading you on your journey and that He has a plan for your life.
Spiritual Growth
We should endeavor to explore our own spiritual growth when the teachings of recognized religion feel unwelcoming, too restrictive, or not in line with our feelings of what God and love are.
As you grow spiritually, you may find yourself questioning some of the things you once believed. This is natural! Part of spiritual growth is learning to think for yourself and to search for answers to life’s big questions.
There is more to God than what is written in the Bible. It is important to read religious texts from various sources to grow spiritually. This will help you understand who God is and what His message may be for you specifically. Additionally, engaging in spiritual practices such as meditation and prayer can help you connect with God personally. By learning about God from multiple perspectives, you can develop a stronger relationship with Him that will last a lifetime.
Where Can I Find More Information on God?
While the Bible has been the source of God’s teachings, we can also look to other avenues to learn more about God.
There are many other great books you can read, such as Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. Or perhaps The Way of The Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman is more your thing.
There is much to learn about God and love from Sai Baba, and the book of his life called Shri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba would be a wonderful read.
Movies, TV shows, and documentaries are other great places to discover more about God. For instance, the movie The Last Temptation of Christ is fascinating to watch.
Something else to watch is a drama series called The Chosen, which is about the life and ministry of Jesus focussing on Jesus and His disciples. It is a modern interpretation with all the drama and emotions of a contemporary story told well.
Don’t forget to use social media to discover who God is. YouTube channels such as those of Sadhguru, who is also on TikTok, are an excellent place to begin.
Final Thoughts
In essence, What is God? And does God judge? God is not about judging and punishing; instead, He is about the acceptance and love of all things in this world.
We owe it to ourselves and our spiritual growth by learning more about God; this can take many paths. If you truly believe that God is all about love and the vengeful, punishing god of the Bible does not ring true for you, then explore all you can about other religions and other spiritualities who see God as all-loving benevolent, and kind.
Whatever path you take, spiritual growth can lead to a greater understanding of God and why He matters in your life. And opening up to new ideas may set your spirit free to soar.
ALLYSSA CARLTON