“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)
Perceptions of God Vary Among People
Some picture God as an impersonal, white-bearded old man sitting on a cloud far away—completely out of touch with the modern world. Others see Him as a harsh judge with a strict set of rules, constantly watching to catch any mistakes. And when you fail, like the evil Ming from Flash Gordon, He supposedly sends terror from the sky through plagues, storms, or other so-called “acts of God.”
Some see Him as a mean and controlling father, teacher, or drill sergeant—someone who sends problems, accidents, or sickness to “teach you a lesson.”
If your perception of God aligns with any of these, it’s no wonder you might find it hard to pray. You likely wouldn’t want to spend time with Him, be His close friend, or even be near Him. In fact, you might be afraid of Him.
On the other hand, If you see God as good, loving, kind, generous, and joyful—a personal and approachable God who saves, provides, protects, and blesses—you’ll have a much more positive view. Prayer would come easily, because you’d be spending time with someone you’re excited to be around!
You can know who God is
The passage at the top of the page says you can learn about God by looking at Jesus. In John 10:30, Jesus also said, “I and the Father are one.”
Seeing God According to the Life of Jesus
• He came to seek and 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 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)