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God of the Pigeonhole

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The concept of God resists confinement within human depictions or mental images, as such attempts diminish His infinite nature. Images of God, whether in art or imagination, freeze Him in a moment, presenting a false and limited idea that cannot capture His true essence. He transcends any portrayal by infinite orders of magnitude, and attempting to define Him through finite means treats Him with disrespect and produces a lie. As God Himself declares, there is none to whom He can be likened or equaled. Even in the privacy of our minds, creating an untrue mental image of God is a common error, as our limited understanding struggles to grasp His holy, righteous character. We often pigeonhole God into narrow, humanly knowable categories, seeing Him as a Benevolent Gift-Giver, a Stern Judge, a Compassionate Parent, or other roles, shifting our perception based on circumstance or mood. Yet, He is all of these and none of these, filling such roles as needed while surpassing them infinitely. He cannot be confined to simplistic mental pictures, for His nature encompasses opposing traits in perfect balance. To see God as accurately as possible, we must continually expand our conception of His nature as He reveals it, striving to comprehend the vastness of His love and character, though we will never fully grasp it in this life.

Seeking God (Part One): Our Biggest Problem

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The concept of God is foundational to a person's conduct and spiritual life. Belief in God motivates actions, and a correct understanding of His nature is vital, as a poor perception can lead to serious misdirection. God is not vague or limited to singular traits but encompasses a wide range of attributes, far beyond simplistic categories like authoritarian, benevolent, critical, or distant. A true relationship with Him, as exemplified by Abraham, involves a deep, intimate understanding of His character and purpose, allowing one to trust in His power and faithfulness within clear parameters. Seeking God is the primary occupation for a Christian during sanctification, beginning only after He reveals Himself and a covenant is made. Despite having made this covenant, many fail to translate their knowledge of Him into everyday living or becoming like Him, often just drifting with the times. God urges His people to seek Him continually to avoid spiritual decline and destruction, emphasizing that eternal life is not merely endless existence but a quality of life rooted in knowing Him. Without ongoing seeking, individuals risk losing their sense of awe and reverence for His majesty, leading to futile thoughts and idolatry. God seeks out those with whom He desires to make a covenant, and they are then required to pursue intimate details of His nature, purpose, and character. Questions about what He is like, His attributes, how to please and glorify Him, and how He lives His life are essential for spiritual growth. Knowledge of Him and His purpose is deemed far more valuable than any material achievements or human glory. The power of a covenant people to uphold their agreement with God lies in maintaining a vibrant relationship with Him, for when sincere seeking relaxes or stops, sin increases, morality declines, and contact with Him ceases.

The Wholeness of God

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The beauty, harmony, balance, and providence evident throughout the earth are witnesses of the wisdom, unity, harmony, and love in which He always acts. Eternal life is knowing God, implying an intimate relationship that matures over a lifetime, as familiar as that between marriage partners. Our God possesses every good quality to the ultimate degree, with every attribute working in perfect and faithful harmony. Studying God in His wholeness should teach us humility, caution in speech and action, and a deep reverence for Him. God's superiority often overwhelms us when compared to our own state, yet growth in godly character and personality is our calling to be like Him. Human life is a beginning, as God made us in His image and is transforming us into the image of His Son, revealing His whole nature so we can know it and allow Him to reproduce it in us.

God Is Not a Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Winston Churchill observed that 'Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.' The majority of organized 'Christianity' has a similar view of God.

Measuring God

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Without factoring God into their equations, physicists and other scientists prove themselves abject fools.

The Fear of God (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must have established some relationship with God before we can rightly fear Him. A holy fear is the key to unlocking the treasuries of salvation and wisdom.

The Sovereignty of God (Part Twelve)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Those who emphasize one trait of God, or one doctrine, at the expense of the others run the risk of distorting the truth, creating a grotesque caricature.

Holiness of God (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As bearers of God's name, we must aspire to holiness. Perfecting holiness is the process by which we are transformed from the glory of man to the glory of God.

The Sovereignty of God (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Nothing and no one can thwart God's purposes. We need to develop the faith to yield and conform to His will as clay in the potter's hands.

God, the Church's Greatest Problem

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

After our calling, we must seek God and His way, for our conduct is motivated by our concept of God. Coming to know God is the church's biggest problem.

The Fear of God

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Many have inadvertently adopted a soft concept of God, disrespecting and showing contempt for God's authority and power. Godly fear is a gift of wisdom.

God, Satan, and David's Numbering of Israel

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

The spiritual reality inhabited by the Father, the Son, and angels, both good and bad, reveals a universe beyond human comprehension, where these actors govern and guide life on earth. God's sovereignty extends over all things, even over beings who have corrupted themselves, as seen in His use of rebellious angels to accomplish His will. This is evident in the life of Ahab, where a demon's deception through the king's prophets was accepted by God to bring about Ahab's fall, and in Job's trials. Similarly, in the incident of King David's numbering of Israel, both God and satan played roles, with God instigating the action and satan broadcasting the suggestion, demonstrating His overarching control. Even as God uses fierce men like Nebuchadnezzar and Hazael as instruments of punishment, so He employs spiritual forces to fulfill His purposes, showing that His judgments and ways are unsearchable and often beyond human understanding.

The Unique Greatness of Our God (Part Four)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Bible tells us that, far from being the unconcerned and inattentive Creator that the Deists envisioned, God is intimately involved in His universe.

The Fear of God (Part Four)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The fear of God is the first line of defense, keeping us from profaning God's name, tarnishing the image of the Lord, and defending us from pain and/or death.

The Sovereignty of God: Part Four

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God not only rules in heaven, but He is also sovereign on earth! He is not an absentee landlord, but One who is actively involved in administering His creation.

Spiritual Blindness (Part One): The God of This World

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

The true God is consistently and exclusively shown to blind while working out His purposes, so who is the '[G]od of this world' (II Corinthians 4:4)?

The Sovereignty of God: Introduction

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's sovereignty is one of the most important issues a Christian must consider. Have we acknowledged that He has total authority over us in particular?

God Is . . . What?

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

What is God's nature? Is God one Being? Two? Three? Bible students have long searched for the answers to these questions. The truth is both simple and profound.

The Sovereignty of God (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The purpose of prayer is not to overcome God's reluctance, but to help in yielding to His will. 'Prayer changes things' is only true if it conforms to God's will.

Do You See God?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Unless we acknowledge God's sovereign authority in our lives, following through with the things we learn from scripture, we, like atheists, will not see God.

God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's mysteries have been in plain sight from the beginning of time, but carnality has obscured them from mankind.

How Much Does God Love You?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

I John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.

Who Is the 'God of This World'? (Part One)

Sermonette by

Translators use a lowercase "g" in "god of this age [or, world]" in II Corinthians 4:4, yet it is the true God who blinds; He alone opens and closes eyes.

Themes of Ruth (Part Two): God's Providence

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As we count the 50 days toward Pentecost, we should consider the events of our lives, coming to understand that they reveal God's on-going maintenance.

Blogging For Truth

Sermonette by Joshua Montgomery

Our only antidote to the barrage of lies is to stay close to God's Word, trusting in His providence and His promises to protect us as we obey Him.

The Second Commandment: Idolatry

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The natural mind craves something physical to remind us of God, but the Second Commandment prohibits this. Any representation will fall short of the reality.

The Commandments (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Idolatry constitutes the fountainhead from which all other sins flow, all of which amplify obsessive self-centeredness and self-indulgence.

Christ's Revelation of the Father

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

John 1:1-3 reveals Jesus' pedigree as the Logos (Spokesman), whose function was to declare or reveal the Father. He had existed with His Father from eternity.

The Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The true understanding of Elohim dismantles the entire trinity argument. God is reproducing Himself; we are being prepared to become a part of Elohim.

Holiness (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Holy things are set apart from the rest, consecrated, sanctified, and transcendentally separate. God wants to transform us into that very image.