We Believe in God

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Global Methodist Church Catechism
Questions and Answers

1. Do you believe in God?

 
Yes. I believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. (Gen. 1:1-31; 17:1; Josh. 2:11; Ps. 8:3-8; Isa. 42:5; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; Heb. 1:5; Rev 4:11; CoF I.)

1. Who is God?

 
God is the one true, holy and living God, the Eternal Spirit, the Holy Trinity. (Deut. 6:4; Lev. 19:2; Jer. 10:10; Matt. 28:19; John 17:3; Heb. 9:14.)
 
Articles of Religion:  Article 1
 
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and good; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
 
Confession of Faith: Article 1
 
We believe in the one true, holy and living God, Eternal Spirit, who is Creator, Sovereign and Preserver of all things visible and invisible. He is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness and love, and rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of men, to the glory of his name. We believe the one God reveals himself as the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.
 
Knowing the One True God
 
This week we embark on a new journey to explore the fundamental teachings of our faith as they’re communicated in the catechism of the Global Methodist Church. This study focuses on Questions 1 and 2. These questions touch the core of our beliefs, leading us to contemplate the nature of our God, the one true, holy, and living God, who reveals Himself as the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this devotional, we’ll introduce the importance of knowing God and his character and how that knowledge impacts our lives as Christians.
 
Key Principles
 
As we delve into these first two questions, let us look at two key principles that can guide us in thinking about the God we worship.

1. The Doctrine of God is the Foundation of Theology: Theology, the study of God, is the heart of all Christian knowledge. All other areas of Christian doctrine are understood in the light of our understanding of who God is. After all, if God doesn’t exist, the rest is irrelevant and a waste of time. Our belief in God's existence sets the stage for understanding his character, his attributes, and the essence of his being. The doctrine of God, or "theology proper," encompasses God's existence, attributes, and the eternal relationship within the Trinity (We’ll focus more on the Trinity in our next devotional.). As Christians, we acknowledge at the beginning that we are able to speak of God only because he has revealed himself to us through the created order, conscience, his written Word, and most fully through his Son, Jesus Christ.

 

1. God’s Transcendence and Immanence: Many religions and worldviews often err by emphasizing one aspect of God’s transcendence or immanence to the neglect of the other. Scripture teaches God is both transcendent, meaning he is exalted above his creation, and immanent, meaning he is present and involved in his creation. Understanding this tension helps us appreciate God's vast majesty and his personal and intimate involvement in our lives. We should worship and love him as the supreme Creator, trust him, and obey him, knowing that he’s both above and beyond us, yet lives in and with us.

 
Life Lessons
 
Wesleyan Christians often emphasize that God’s character is holiness and love, not one or the other. God's holiness is inseparable from his love. His holiness means he is morally pure, separate from sin, and his love is demonstrated through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus on the cross. As Christians, we should recognize that our sin separates us from God, but through his love and grace expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we can be reconciled to God.
 
God’s Character is Moral Perfection: As alluded to above, in all of God’s dealings with his creation and his people, God displays his moral perfection. He is undiluted goodness and light, the God of grace, truth, patience, and righteousness. As we grow in our faith, we should strive to reflect his character in our own lives, seeking to be good and holy as he is good and holy and living out his grace, love, and truth to others.
 
Questions for Reflection

• How does your belief in God impact your daily life, decisions, and relationships?

 

• In what ways do you recognize God's transcendence and immanence in your spiritual journey?

 

• How does the knowledge of God's holiness and love influence your perspective on sin and redemption?

 

• How can you reflect God's moral perfection in your interactions with others and in your daily conduct?

 
Walking Points

• Spend time in prayer and meditation, deepening your belief in and appreciation of God and his character. Ask God to reveal himself to you in new and profound ways.

 

• Take steps to integrate God's holiness and love into your daily life. Seek forgiveness for your sins and extend grace and love to others. Talk with Christian friends to seek their counsel regarding how to go about this and ask for their encouragement and accountability.

 

• Strive to reflect God's moral perfection in your relationships and actions, treating others with kindness, patience, and righteousness. What are three practical things you can do this week to help you begin pursuing that?

 

• Schedule a time to share what you've learned about the nature of God with someone who may be seeking to understand more about our faith. Work hard at being a good listener and withhold judgement, even if you disagree strongly with what they believe. Pray for God to provide you with opportunities to lovingly share his truth with them.

 
As we grow in our understanding of God and his character, may we continually seek to know him more deeply and reflect his holiness, love, and moral perfection in our lives. Let’s remember that our belief in the one true God is the cornerstone of our faith and the purpose for which we live. Let’s seek to glorify and please him as we walk with him each day.