3 Ways We Create God in Our Image

How many times have you heard it? “God hates ___________”  or “God doesn’t like ___________”  I’ve even heard some people say things like “That really hurts me, and I KNOW it hurts God too!” It’s amazing to me how many times we project our own thoughts and feelings on God. The thing is, by doing so, we often project things that are not God at all. This can get pretty confusing if you think about it.

What is God really like?

Does he have similar thoughts and feelings to ours? I think the answer to that question would be sometimes. But not always. So why do we speak so casually about what God likes and doesn’t like? I’m sure we’re sincere in our intentions most of the time. But sometimes we just step out and speak our own thoughts or feelings without honestly considering whether they line up with God’s thoughts or feelings on the matter at all.

So let’s take a look at this. I’m sure there are more ways than this, but here are 3 ways that we speak for God, thereby creating him in our image:

1. Politically

With all of the recent political activity in preparation for the election next year, there has been a lot of posturing on both sides of the political aisle claiming to speak for God. There is even a Facebook page called “Jesus was not a Republican”.  While that is certainly true, Jesus was not a Democrat either. Some Christians seem to think that if we can get our version of a Christian elected as the next President, then all of our struggles as Christians will cease. The trouble with that thought is that it’s not in line with biblical teaching at all. While we are to respect and pray for our political leaders (Romans 13:1, 1 Tim. 2:1) our hope as Christians does not lie in the next President. Our hope lies in Christ, not in any earthly form of government. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be involved in the political process. We should certainly vote, but we sometimes place too much emphasis on politics and not enough on the real solution to our political woes: winning people to Christ. It is in Christ that our problems – political and otherwise – will be solved. Not in the next elected government official.

2. Spiritually

Have you ever met a fellow Christian who was interested immediately in what denomination you were affiliated with?  As I peruse the internet, I’m astonished at the ferocity with which we attack others who do not interpret scripture the same way we do. I’m not talking about defending the faith. I’m talking about genuine believers who are so indoctrinated in their own beliefs that they ignore clear biblical guidance and even criticize fellow believers who do not line up with their own beliefs in specific areas. They “speak for God” in their comments. By doing so, they tear down the very foundation of Christianity for non-believers. Jesus said “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35) He didn’t say that you should only love those who agree with you. We are to love one another. Other Christians. All other Christians. Let God speak for God. We should follow the instructions that God gave us and let God deal with the rest.

3. Personally

One of my pet peeves among Christendom is the tendency to project our own personal convictions on others as sin. Don’t get me wrong, the Bible is very clear on what sin is, but it doesn’t cover every single action which is sin. One of these situations is covered in Romans 14. Some believers were critical of others who did not believe the same way they did. Paul opens the discussion by saying “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” (Romans 14:1). He ends the discussion by saying “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.  But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:22-23). In modern times, the thing that this is most closely associated with is drinking and smoking. I can say that for me smoking would be a sin. However, since the Bible does not address smoking specifically, I could not with any conviction say that smoking is a sin for you. I will follow the apostle’s advice above and leave that between you and God. Likewise, those who have had a past struggle with alcoholism or have known those who have will most likely have a problem with drinking alcohol. Others will not only have no problem with it but will quote scripture to support it. Taking Paul’s advice, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.  I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.” 

In summary, let’s stop speaking for God. God is fully capable of speaking for himself. Our mission is not to correct every behavioral issue we encounter. It’s not to push a particular political agenda. It’s not to convince others that our denomination (or church, or pastor or group) is the best. Our mission is to lead others to Christ so that he can work on each of us as individuals. The cool thing about Jesus is that he meets us where we are, not where we should be, or even where others think that we should be.