The Creator is Wholly Different than the Created

The Creator is wholly different than the created.  That seems like an easy distinction to make. Logic compels us to understand the principle but perception differs. I observe the world through my lens, (glasses actually not contacts anymore); my views are determined by my relationships, my history, my education, my beliefs, my traditions.  My “stuff” determines my view of the world. My view quite likely differs from your view; (I know for certain my view is often different from my wife). My view is narrowed by my joys and my sorrows.   My view is narrowed by my likes and dislikes.

My opinion matters, at least to me.  But, the Creator is different from me. He has a separate character—Holy, Righteous, Just, Merciful, Kind, Patient, Gentle, all in the perfect form. He has a separate set of skills—we call them attributes in theological world. He has a long view—eternity. The Creator is wholly different from the created. Sometimes that is hard to remember; because we want to understand the world from our point of view, through our set of stuff. So for us to understand we may create God in our mage instead of the other way around. God should behave like we do.

I am glad He is not like me; petty, bitter, stubborn, unfocused –you get the idea. The premise that if God was one of us He would understand us better places us at the higher end of the understanding spectrum, and God unable or unwilling to understand us. That is a misplaced view of God. God is the Creator He is wholly different than us. A high view of God will always lead to a low view of the world and its understanding. A high view of the world will always lead to a low view of God. Only one opinion or view can take priority.

Bible verses that people remember from their traditions, and past experiences often help them to place “stuff” in proper perspective.  Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  Contrast that with the statement: “God helps them who help themselves” – a quote from Benjamin Franklin.  It is not Biblical. In fact God helps those who cannot help themselves.

▪ Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

▪ Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near the broken-hearted.”

▪ Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

▪ Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

▪ Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives

And freedom to prisoners; – Jesus fulfills this promise as He reads the passage in Nazareth in Luke 4:18ff

The world often declares its care for the broken; until you are among the broken hearted. Then the care can seem far away. We don’t know the beginning from the end because we are finite in understanding and lifespan on this earth.  God is neither; The Creator is wholly different from the created. Logically speaking we understand these things as being beyond us, but we still want to know why. My want to know why is determined by my view of God and the world.  Our perspectives are shaped by our experiences and our “stuff”- our likes and dislikes, our education and our traditions. Our faith is shaped as God intervenes into our world to become one of us to lead us back home.

▪ Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways, My ways,” declares the LORD.

▪ 1 Peter 2:21-25   For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Grace and Peace – Pastor Mike

Photo by kevindooley