COME TO CONSENSUS CORNER

LET GOD BE GREAT AGAIN! (Reserved as a chosen platform, GOD willing)
[GOD, meaning the Creator, the God of the Bible, the God who “IS LOVE” (1John 4:8,16)]

ALWAYS GREAT! To be clear, in actuality this GOD has always been “GREAT,” but appreciation and reverence for Him has diminished in recent years, for a variety of reasons. We can consider a few main reasons, but also some evidence--we need the facts! It is thus in the minds and hearts of humans that God’s greatness may need to be restored!

MISINFORMED ABOUT A LOVING FATHER? Is it possible that some have been misinformed about the true nature of God, and therefore have sadly wanted to believe that there is no God, in some cases because they believe they could then make up their own rules and have no One to tell them right from wrong? But consider, this God is called by Jesus many times the endearing term “Father.” Would it be reasonable for a child to dismiss belief in his or her parents, who have expressed much love for the child, most often the ones protecting him or her from harm during the especially vulnerable early years of growth? Would not much evidence exist for the parents who conceived and gave birth to the child, and then proceeded likely with much love to feed and care for him or her over much time? So with God—most who are familiar with His word the Bible have come to see Him as a loving Father, who cares deeply for the human family of His making!

FAMILY “RULES”? And just as any loving father of a household, this God has established rules for the lasting happiness and benefit of all who would abide by them in His household. These rules for instance would help the entire human family to treat one another with respect, dignity, and kindness, as they associate with one another, and seek to enjoy life as God intended. I’m using the term “rules” loosely here, as God’s rules are different from the rules that humans sometimes come up with on their own. Often such “rules” have been inflexible, lacking consideration for varying circumstances, causing us to begrudge the very idea of “rules” sometimes. Still, the Bible, with proof of divine inspiration, contains God’s reasonable laws and standards, that are truly in our lasting best interests, and that reveal loving compassion for practically all humans.

Notice PSALM 103:8-14: "Jehovah [GOD's personal name, three-syllables, together meaning: "He who causes to become." Many Bible manuscripts replaced it with the title "LORD," as have many Bibles, but the earliest original manuscripts retain "JEHOVAH"] is merciful and compassionate, Slow to anger and abundant in loyal love. 9 He will not always find fault, Nor will he stay resentful forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor has he repaid us what our errors deserve. 11 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So great is his loyal love toward those who fear him. 12 As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, So far off from us he has put our transgressions. 13 As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those who fear him. 14 For he well knows how we are formed, Remembering that we are dust."

EVIDENCE? BUT FAITH—IS IT BLIND? Still, what is some of the evidence of God’s existence and His loving interest in the affairs of mankind on planet Earth? But some may object, how can we speak of “evidence”—is not faith blind? There is hardly a more grievous lie than the idea that faith is belief in something for which there is no proof. That is not faith, but rather another term—credulity. Instead, faith as defined in the Bible is a deep trust that is built on solid evidence. It is actually defined in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 as “the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” Air, for instance, though not easily seen by itself, can be felt, and it’s effects can be seen, for instance, as the wind blows through a leafy tree. Thus evidence reveals the reality of air, despite our inability to see it directly. So it is with God, and other persons or things requiring faith to believe in. That faith is also literally defined in that same verse as “the title deed of the things hoped for.” You may not be standing on the land you purchased, but with the title deed in your hand, you may begin the process of building on that land the home of your dreams. Such is the case with God’s promises in His word, the Bible. Thus the Bible makes mention of “seeing” even God—not literally, but with eyes of faith. The righteous man Job, for instance, after God spoke to him and provided evidence of His creative hand in the making of the earth, humans, and animals, for instance, as revealed in Job 38-41 (an excellent read) states in Job 42:5: “5 My ears have heard about you, But now I do see you with my eyes.”

BIOMIMETICS. Has not mankind benefitted by examining the intelligent design manifest in living things, so as to improve upon their own designs in electronics and machinery, for instance? Could such intelligent design possibly just come about by chance, without someone causing it? Is it really logical that some mindless evolutionary process acheived such intelligent accomplishments? And is it really fair to God to ignore His amazing accomplishments, and attribute them to blind chance? Is this reasonable? Some such persons may even practice badness, as if God does not see. Should they treat God with such disrespect? How would you feel, for all your life's loving labor to be attributed to blind chance? Let God speak, as His word states at Psalm 94:6-9: "They kill the widow and the foreign resident, And they murder the fatherless children. 7 They say: “Jah does not see; The God of Jacob does not take notice of it.” 8 Understand this, you who are unreasoning; You foolish ones, when will you ever show [empathy]? The One who made the ear, can he not hear? The One who formed the eye, can he not see?" Yes, God does see and takes note, yet as described earlier, God is nevertheless very lovingly patient with mankind, wanting as many as possible to gain His reward of eternal life in true peace and happiness.


Let's consider more evidence of God's handiwork with two excerpts, one from an article elsewhere on this website, another from commentary of the 119th Psalm.

EXCERPT, THE BASICS, par. 8

TECHNOLOGY! It should be abundantly clear that God made the earth with much modern scientific technology in mind. Why can this be said? Take computers, for example. It would not be possible to have these portable machines if Jehovah did not create the elements, whether metals or semiconductors, like the silicon in sand, with certain capabilities and properties to allow computer chips and other components to be made. Silicon, as abundant and available as sand, is a perfect material for computer chips, even allowing for a mixture of other materials to modify its function and performance. God made all of this possible by the materials and their properties in earth's available bounty. How loving and wise is our Creator Jehovah, so evident in the incredible way He made us and had in mind human creativity and our eternal happiness. "O the depth of God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments are and beyond tracing out his ways are! 34 For "who has come to know Jehovah's mind, or who has become his advisor?...Because from him and by him and for him are all things..." (Romans 11:33-36).

EXCERPT, Psalm 119 Commentary, verse 68: "You are good and your works are good. Teach me your [instructions]."

EVIDENCE OF GOD'S LOVE. Thus, Jehovah’s works are in harmony with His personality—they are a manifestation of His great love, wisdom, power, and sense of justice. His primary quality, according to His word, is love. While God HAS the other qualities, it is only love that He IS. (1John 4:8,16). Therefore, we can expect His works, past, present, and future to primarily manifest this quality. Can we not see this in God’s works of creation? The way humans have been made ‘in God’s image,’ to be able to think, reason, draw conclusions, work with our hands, move with our feet, laugh, and enjoy living—can we not appreciate our Great Designer? How much work would teams of scientists and engineers have to do to design and create a robot that could do all the things humans are capable of doing? Could it really just come about by chance? What about all that went into the animal creation, with the delightful experiences of watching kittens or puppies at play, seeing squirrels or other acrobatic creatures amaze us with their feats of skill, witnessing a bird’s talented flight or listening to birdsong? What about the sights and aromas of beautiful flowers or blossoming trees in springtime? Then being able to share such times with friends and loved ones, delighting in conversation over meals and other enjoyable activities—can our appreciation and love for God not continue to grow as we contemplate His uncountably numerous kindnesses manifested toward the human family? Yes, Jehovah is good and His works are good! Like the psalmist, may we thus be moved to willingly learn from God even His detailed guidance for us, that we may know how to live and support the doing of His will and good purpose.


CONCLUSION:

EVERY REASON--IT'S HIS UNIVERSE! Thus, while people may have a reason here or there for diminishing respect for God in their minds or hearts, we really have every reason to appreciate and highly esteem God for His wonderful works toward mankind! Psalm 40:5 states, for instance: "How many things you have done, O Jehovah my God, Your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us. None can compare to you;If I were to try to tell and speak of them,They would be too numerous to recount!" How should this motivate us? We should be moved to listen to God's good guidance, as we find Him truly worthy of being the Sovereign Ruler of His own Universe! As acknowledged at Revelation 4:11, "“You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created.” The forefathers of this nation, the United States, largely appreciated GOD's blessing on their efforts to initiate a way of government that could truly care for it's citizens and allow for genuine freedoms including the freedom to worship God together. It can truly be said that without GOD's favor, help and blessing, this nation would never have gotten off the ground! May we likewise today look for GOD's blessing on His perfecting a Kingdom government by which He may accomplish His loving will regarding humans, to usher in genuine peace and happiness, showering His approval on mankind!