What's Your Image of God?

Have you ever stopped long enough to ask yourself the follow question: What does my image of God look like? You might think that question is irrelevant. But let me suggest that this image you and I hold will contribute to how we not only live but our outlook on life overall. Let me explain. I remember growing up thinking that God wanted to reward me for my obedience (my actions) and punish me for my disobedience. Ok, I hear you saying "well, isn't that what the bible says?" While it is true that God does require our obedience to His Word, let me ask you another question. What is the single most command in the bible is? Is it "do not sin?" How about "be good and live a holy life?" No. The single most given command in Scripture is "fear not." Wow! I wonder why? The scholar N. T. Wright suggest that of all the commands given by God this one "is the hardest of all to keep." And looking back over my life I can see just how true that is. Could you imagine living a life without fear? Without looking over our shoulder just waiting for something to go wrong? That is the life God wants us to live! And He has made it possible to live that way through His son Jesus Christ. Let's begin today. Let's begin to take God at his word and when everything seems to be going wrong, "fear not!" Try it for a week. See what happens. Stop worrying about doing the wrong thing that will bring down God's wrath and let's start living without worry! I'll be waiting to hear the reports!