This advertisement is currently on the DC buses. Actually, it’s probably a pretty good depiction of how so many see God. As some faceless, yet very angry person, tucked away in a cloud with a huge finger pointing down at all the while telling us what we can and can’t do.

Here’s what might surprise you. I (Joey) agree with the advertisement….If that’s the picture of God – I’m too old for that and I don’t want to teach my kids about it. Who wants some angry, faceless person following them around looking at their behavior telling them what they can and can’t do.

We don’t need some faceless person in the sky to do that for us. We have religion* here on earth to do that for us.

But is this an accurate picture of the God of the Bible? I don’t think so.

The God of Bible, does not just follow people around with a big finger pronouncing judgement. He comes to earth in the person of Christ Jesus to offer salvation. That’s a far cry from a faceless angry finger pointing from the sky. It’s the beautiful picture of God in the flesh, an actual face being beat and bloodied, to graciously save the very ones who were putting him to death and point them to life.

God does not condemningly point from his prestigious throne in heaven. He graciously redeems by the bloody cross of Christ on earth.

 

*I use the word religion to refer to any system that attempts to earn God’s favor by keeping a certain set of rules.