Recently I was asked to share my understanding of theology in a 20 minute talk. My understanding of God in 20 minutes. A lifetime of studying and experiencing God in 20 minutes. God, THE Creator and Sustainer of the universe, in 20 minutes. Really? God is just too big. Every time I thought I was finished with my presentation I realized how much I had left out and how much more needed to be added. But all I had was 20 minutes so here are the thoughts I gave to best explain God.
God is love. (1 John 4:8) The defining characteristic of God is love. God defines His (agape) love in 1 Corinthians 13. Love never tears down. Love is never jealous, arrogant, rude, angry, selfish, or resentful. Love always builds up. Love is patient and kind. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
God is good. Throughout the Scriptures our God of love is seen as good. There is an enemy that seeks to steal, kill and destroy but our good God has come to bring us a rich, full, satisfying, abundant life. “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever.” Psalm 100:5.
God is big. God is sovereign. “The LORD does whatever pleases Him…” Psalm 135:6. God is so big He can turn everything around in our favor and for His good purposes. (Romans 8:28)
God speaks. God speaks crystal clear through His Word, the Bible. You don’t have to guess what God is like or what He wants. God has spoken and continues to speak today to those who have ears to hear.
God is now. God is right here, right now. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same God who spoke and did miracles long ago recorded in Scripture still speaks and does miracles today. The same Jesus of the Gospels is alive and at work in His children and church today. God is with you alive and active right now!