31 Jan It is What It Is (Discovering the true character of God…because He is not a car-wrecking, cancer causing Creator, but a loving, life giving Lord!) part 25

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Over the last number of months we shared with you our key verse found in Hebrews 11:6, “For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Over the past few weeks we have been discussing 11 Characteristics concerning the Character of God:

#1. You can’t create God in your own image (Rom. 1:25).  

#2. Heaven yes…Hell no!  

3 Hell Happenings:

1)  Hell was not originally created for man (Matt. 25:41)

2)  God will respect your will all the way to Hell (Matt. 25:34,41)

3)  It’s not sins that send one to Hell, it is a sin that sends one to hell (John 16:7-9)

#3. Sin ruins the view

In this section we looked at “Three Sinless Scenarios”:

    1. The Garden of Eden before sin
    2. The life of Jesus – while certainly sin surrounded Him in His earthly ministry, there was no sin in His life (see Heb. 4:15)
    3. Heaven

#4. Will the real God please stand up?  (John 10:10)

#5.  The weather outside is frightful (Rom. 8:19-23, Matt. 24:1-8)

Today, let us continue with…

#6.  Who’s in charge here?  (II Cor. 4:4, Luke 4:6)

Here the Bible tells us in II Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”  Notice the devil is the god (lower case) of this world.  The Greek word translated “world” is kosmos.  “Kosmos” means “world system”.  Therefore this eye-opening verse clearly tells us the devil is in charge of this world’s system.  

The Bible also tells us in Luke 4:6, “And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me: and to whomsoever I will give it.”  This verse tells us how the devil got this kind of authority.  It was relinquished to him by Adam when Adam committed spiritual high treason and sinned.  

In everyday terms, I would describe it this way.   God owns the “apartment complex”.  He then leased it to Adam (see Genesis 1:26-28).  When Adam sinned he then sub-leased it to the devil.  God still owns the apartment complex but the devil has legal claim to some apartment units.  Now God, who respects the law, will not just barge into each unit without being invited.

Join us next week as we continue to explore these valuable characteristics of God!