Paradigm Shift

What is your view of God?  Perhaps that is one of the most important questions you will ever be asked.  Secondly, has your view of God changed?  I truly hope it has.  While God never changes, we know that 'our perspective' of God is altered according to our position with, and relationship to Him.  

It is my feeling that our view of God, our paradigm or pattern of thinking, should be in a constant state of flux.  While I say that, let me add it is one of the most exciting and dangerous things to see your understanding and revelation of God expanded.  The excitement comes from witnessing the growth of your comprehension of God and to know that it aligns with the Word of God.  The danger comes in creating a mythical god who functions on the terms of man's ideology.  

Romans 1:23 describes those who knew God and then made a dangerous paradigm shift when they, "...changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image...".  Therein is the danger.  When our understanding of God goes outside the boundaries of Holy Scripture we are in serious trouble.  Those who worship at the altars of idolatry have assumed God has become a tree stump or worse.  

Equally erroneous is the idea we can breach God's commands and not suffer the consequences.  This is where man-made religion runs amuck.  Man makes up his 'own' rules and then attaches the authority of God to it.  Churches who legislate lifestyles and cultures stating it is a hell-fire doctrine are crossing a line of attempting to add Divine authority to their own preferences.  This is not only dangerous, but also seriously misleading. 

On the other hand, 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes the changes we enjoy as we traverse from glory to glory, or revelation to revelation.  As we see God more accurately through His Word, we are able to make the right adjustments, or paradigm shifts, within our own lives.  We literally become more and more like the Lord, because we are able to see Him more perfectly. 

Finally, the greatest change will be on that day when we finally reach perfection...for we shall be like Him.  You want to know why we will at last be like the Lord?  Because our view of Him will be perfect.  Notice,  "...for we shall see Him as He is!"  (1 John 3:2)  The change from corruptible to incorruptible will be the final link in a long chain of wonderful changes we have made, the closer we have gotten to Him.

I am interested in how your view of God has evolved through the years.  Write in and let us know.  Be blessed!

Pastor T