When understanding Who God is by looking at Jesus
“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9 ESV)
According to the above passage, you can know who God is and what He is like by looking at Jesus.
God and Jesus are one
“I and the Father are one.” (John 28:30)
Perceptions of God vary among people
Some picture God as an impersonal white bearded old man, sitting on a cloud far away, who is out of touch with the modern world. Others see Him as a harsh judge with a strict set of rules, constantly watching to see if you break any of them, and when you do, like the evil Ming from Flash Gordon, He rains terror down on you from the sky with plagues, storms and other “acts of God” disasters. Some see Him as a mean and controlling father, teacher or drill Sargent, who sends bad things like problems, accidents or sickness your way to teach you lessons. If your perception of God is like any of these examples, you would probably find it hard to pray. You would not want to spend time with Him, or be His close friend, or even be around Him. In fact, you would probably be afraid of Him. On the other hand, if you see God as good, loving, kind, giving and joyful — a personal, approachable God who saves, provides, protects and blesses you, then your perception of Him would be very positive and you would find prayer to be easy, because, when praying, you would be spending time with someone you are excited to be around and spend time with!
Seeing God according to the life of Jesus…
He came to seek and to save the lost
“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.” (Luke 9:56 KJV)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 KJV)
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17 NIV)
He is joyful and wants you to be joyful, too
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11 ESV)
He loves you and doesn’t want you to perish
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)
He wants you to be victorious
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57)
He wants your life to be abundant
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
He wants you to have victory
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ( 1 Cor. 15:57)
He wants to have a close and personal relationship with you
“Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” (John 14:23 NLT)
Therefore…
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9)
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)