Thinking Thoughts about God - Martin Wiles

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm23:1 NLT

I turn God into whatever I think of Him.

Dad was a tough disciplinarian—at least when I was young. I’m not sure where his ideas about discipline came from, because he didn’t follow the pattern of his parents or grandparents. Dad went by the book. Severe consequences followed broken rules. His parents were more understanding and lenient.

Dad was also a little strict in his view of God. God had rules and regulations that must be adhered to. When they weren’t, discipline followed. God was also a God of love, but he was quick to punish when someone broke his laws—not lenient or understanding.

While growing up, I noticed Dad’s view of God bled into how he conducted his household. Perhaps his idea of God explains why I had a framed set of rules hung on my bedroom wall—a list of dos and don’ts, accompanied by a set of consequences for breaking each don’t.

Dad was right in one sense. God does have rules he expects us to abide by, and when we choose to break them, consequences follow. I suppose it was the way Dad carried out the process that colored my view of God as a harsh deity instead of a loving Savior—although I’m sure Dad didn’t intend for it to happen that way.

David knew God had rules, too, but he also pictured him as his shepherd, which paints a different portrait. God disciplined him when he went astray—and he did quite a few times, but he also lovingly guided his life journey.

If I think of God as a harsh disciplinarian, sitting in heaven waiting for me to make a mistake, I might still love him, but my relationship with him will be somewhat distant, not close up and personal. On the other hand, if I see him as a grandfatherly type, I might assume he’ll let me get away with anything without consequence, which he won’t.

Jesus showed us the loving characteristics of God that the religious leaders’ rules had almost covered. But he also reminded us that God has standards he expects us to obey. When our view of God is balanced, we’ll obey him because we love him and because of what he’s done for us, not simply because we’re afraid he’ll punish us if we don’t.

Think correct thoughts about God so you will love him deeply and serve him intently.

Father, may the thoughts I think of you cause me to have an accurate picture of who you are. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.