What Do You Think About God? It’s Critical
I put this quote on a sticky note. I posted it on my bedroom mirror to remind me to keep first things first.
The primary thing God wants from us is not improved moral behavior (which will come), but to love God because he first loves us.
– James Bryan Smith
It’s important to keep things in proper order.
The first thing is to know that God loves us. Then our love for him will follow, as will our behavior.
Enjoy this excerpt below from an excellent book by James Bryan Smith.
: : :
Excerpt from The Good and Beautiful God
Our thoughts about God will determine not only who we are but how we live. We can predict the “spiritual future” of a person just by knowing what they think about God.
What we think about God—what we think God is like—will determine the relationship we have with God.
If we think of God as harsh and demanding, we will probably cower in fear and keep our distance from God. If we think of God as a vague and impersonal force in the universe, we will probably have a vague and impersonal relationship with this god.
That’s why it’s crucial that we have the right thoughts about God. It will determine everything we do. If we have low or false views of God, we are actually committing a form of idolatry, worshiping a false god.
What I have discovered is this: when I came to know the God that Jesus revealed, I absolutely fell in love with God.
The more I grasp about the nature and work of the triune God, the more I am enthralled with the truth, goodness and beauty of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I want to turn your attention to the God Jesus reveals.
His God is good and beautiful, loving and trustworthy, self-sacrificial and forgiving, powerful and caring, and out for our good.
– James Bryan Smith
: : :
updated from the archives
This book is jumping to the top of my wish list, Lisa. Thanks for the quotes and the recommendation!
Blessings!
Loving God with you, friend.
How mercifully kind, loving, and just He is.
He’s got this. All that assails us.
Lisa, this book has me intrigued. I am so grateful for your book reviews! This topic really hits home for me, as for so many years my thoughts about God revolved around legalistic ideals of trying to change outward behavior (miserably failing) falling into despair and never really understanding the love of God. Thankfully that all changed, and like you, “when I came to know the God that Jesus revealed, I absolutely fell in love with God.” Can’t wait to read and share this book!! Thank you!
“If we have low or false views of God, we are actually committing a form of idolatry, worshiping a false god.” I never thought of that before. All the more reason our first question as we read a passage of scripture should be: “What does this tell me about God?” (That’s a Jen Wilkin strategy from her Bible studies that I very much appreciate!)
“when I came to know the God that Jesus revealed, I absolutely fell in love with God”… this! Thanks so much for sharing, Lisa. I need to think about God more often. Linking up from #graceandtruth ?
Another book to add to my list. I have one of his earlier ones and should get that one out too. Powerful quote too. One of my deepest prayers to is love God more each day
Oh, that we may know the depth of His love for us! Thank you for this book recommendation, Lisa; I’m adding it to my to-read list.