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God, the Supreme Being

I was asked a question by a student from the People’s Republic of China. He wanted to know the difference, if there was one, between the God of the Christians and the gods of the many other religions. First of all God, if He is God, is not just the God of the Christians. Even the definition in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary makes this statement: God. The Supreme Being; the eternal and infinite Spirit, Creator and Sovereign of the universe.

Christians are one of several groups who know about Him; however, real Christians, not hypocrites, are the only ones who really know Him.

Here are two other descriptions of God from the Bible.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the Great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:17, 18))

What about the gods of other religions? Some are the creations of man. They have the characteristics of fallen man. They were created by man in the image of man. Some are deified men (Augustus, Mao Tse Tung). Some of them are idols, and some of them are creatures of God, spirits who are evil, who exist in pantheistic and animistic societies. In any case, these little gods do not have the same characteristics as the God of the universe.

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to thy name give glory, for the sake of thy steadfast love, and thy faithfulness! Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them. (Psalm 115:1-8)

Questions? You can contact me by calling (208) 883-0997 or by sending an email to ccm@moscow.com. Our website address is http://ccmbooks.org.

(From Good News/Bad News)

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