Most people and religions agree that God created the Universe, and is infinite in wisdom and power. However, different religions and cultures have disparate opinions about who God is. Some see him as a mighty warrior who destroys evildoers and unbelievers, and protects those who are faithful to him. Others see him as someone who is awesome and just, who watches over us from a distance. Still others believe that God is love (1 John 4; 7-12). They see him as a kind, merciful, all forgiving, generous and loving father, who created us in his own image (by giving us the ability to live His life of love); in order that, we might share His life and have an intimate love relationship with Him and each other. They also see Him as our savior, who redeemed us from evil (which is rooted in selfishness) by taking a human form (as Jesus the Son of God) and emptying Himself completely of self (through His most horrifying and humiliating death on the cross) on our behalf, and giving us eternal life by feeding us with His own sacrificial body and blood (John 6, 53-58). They also see Him as the Holy Spirit (spirit of love), who dwells in every human heart, and who continually shows us the path to true love. They see these three attributes of God, as three persons in a single being of God. Because God is love and expression of love needs a free will, each of the three attributes of God’s has a free will. This makes each attribute a separate person. They further believe that, because, love is eternal, He (who is love) and those reborn in Him, live a life of love that cannot be destroyed by death. In other words, those, whose life is unconditional love (which is God’s life), do not die with the death of their earthly bodies. Unconditional love (which is God) cannot die, because, it is unconditional. Therefore, there is no condition or situation that can alter it or destroy it. You can brutalize Him, mock Him, scourge Him, crucify or kill Him; but He who is unconditional love, never dies.
According to the Bible, God is love (1John 4,
. Love therefore, is not a feeling or emotion, but a being that is God. Like the magnetic field, which we cannot see, yet its effect can be felt; we feel the presence of God amongst us without actually seeing Him. We feel His presence in the acts of true love in the World, and in our own thoughts and acts of love. Often times we are blinded by selfishness, which prevents us from appreciating true love in human beings. However, when we are freed from selfishness, we will appreciate true love (which is God’s presence). When we meditate on what true love is, we understand who God is and feel closeness to Him. This experience becomes even more real, when we meditate on divine love expressed in human form, in the passion and death of Jesus. This experience can be made even more personal and intimate, by faithfully receiving the body of Christ and being in his presence. When we become intimate with God, we become intimate with love; when we become intimate with love, we are freed from selfishness; and when we are freed of selfishness we find peace.
Of the different types of gods just described, deep in our heart we know that it is the last one who is the true God; because, in him, we see what our spirit really desires-which is pure love. When we trust this God, we feel secure; because, we know that His love will always protect us from evil. Furthermore, when we trust Him, we allow Him to live His life of love through us. This brings us peace; because, love frees us from anxiety, jealousy, hate and revenge, by making us selfless. Furthermore, we are made in the image of God and have his spirit imprinted our heart. In other words, it is in our nature to be godly. Therefore, when we do not live His life or are not in unison with him, we go against our nature. When we go against our nature, we are like fish out of water. This suffocates our spirit and causes turmoil in our heart. On the other hand, when we live his life, we find peace; because, then our spirit resonates in unison with his spirit and our life is attuned to our true nature. Since God’s life can bring us peace, in the following paragraph an attempt has been made to understand who God is.
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