Weekly Devotional: Is God Personal or Powerful?

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” (Philippians 3:10)

Christianity is unique for many reasons, one of them being the characteristics of God. God is the beginning, the Creator of the entire universe and the final victory over evil and death. Colossians 1:16 reminds us that, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him.”

God is bigger than anything we have ever experienced, and we will never fully grasp the complexity of His being or His power. God warrants reverence, love and a healthy fear from every creature that walks the Earth.

As if the mystery of God was not big enough, there is another side of God that is even more perplexing. Along with His power and authority, God is kind, loving, forgiving, patient and pursuing. The God of the entire universe loves and wants to know each of us, personally and fully. He desperately wants our hearts, so much so that He sent His own son as a sacrifice to allow a relationship with Him and acceptance into heaven.

More than God wants us to memorize Scripture, go to church or even be a good person, He wants a relationship with us. This relationship can be nurtured and strengthened through spending time with Him by reading the Bible, praying or worshipping.

God is personal and that is often forgotten. His power and authority may seem to overshadow the love and forgiveness He offers, but rather than being intimidated by God, we should trust His promises of love and forgiveness. We can learn to come to God with our fears, worries, joys and secrets, instead of living in fear of judgment.

It is through our relationship with God that we begin to see transformation in our lives, and we become more like Him. Romans 8:39 states, “No power in the sky above or in the Earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God knew you before you were even born, and He loves you and has chosen to forgive you of any and all sins so that we may know and love Him in return. We can rest assured in His love for us, and take full advantage of having a relationship with the God of the world!

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