17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Timothy 1:17
Back to the Beginning
Today, we come full circle. We have spent some time looking at some of the attributes of God and this is the verse we started with. Being no theologian I had to look at the attributes through a layman’s eyes and using layman terms. That is not only a disclaimer, it is also my apology to any theologians out there. I am not smart enough to impress you with my knowledge, but I have tried to impress you with our God. In the process, we have looked at His immortality, immutability, eternality, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, wisdom and holiness. Theological words which simply mean, we are not God. And it is best to remind ourselves of such.
Point Taken
In early 2000, I was involved in a meeting for the Pregnancy Center our church supported. We were joined by a special guest whose life has been devoted to pro-life ministry. Typical of meetings, we got off on a rabbit trail. Somehow we ended up in a discussion about contemporary Christian music. I told you it was a rabbit trail. Our special guest let us know his opposition to much that is called Christian music when he stated, “You can take many of the songs written today and replace God with your girlfriend’s name and it would still make sense.” And for punctuation, he added, “I would like to see you try that with Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.” End of the rabbit trail. Naturally, I had to look him in the eye and ask, “How do you really feel about the subject?” Just kidding! He made his point loud and clear; my wife is not God!! And she has a lot of company, which includes you and me.
Sorry Rich, No Ritz
In his famous song, Awesome God, the late Rich Mullins begins with this line, “When He rolls up His sleeves, He ain’t just putting on the ritz.” No offense to Rich, the tune may be catchy, but I’ve always struggled with that line. I think it is representative of what our special guest was referring to. Despite the title, there seems to be a lack of reverence or awe. But let’s be honest with ourselves, music writers and music label companies are putting out what sells. Their business, like any other, is based on supply and demand principles. Hard to point a self-righteous finger at them when they are only reflecting the “Christian” market. Instead of having a lofty view of God, too many of us want to bring Him down to our level and assign our attributes to Him. But when we study His incommunicable attributes, such tendencies should diminish.
Wired to Worship
Forgive me for repeating myself, but God created those of us that belong to the human race with very unique needs. Created in His image, we were knitted in the womb hard-wired to need fellowship with the Eternal. Our hearts beat for the stability of a God that doesn’t change. Our minds seek a God that is all-knowing. Our souls need an anchor who is omnipresent. Our hope rests in a God who is all-powerful. We are made to worship a God who is perfectly Holy. We have to agree with Rich Mullins, He is an awesome God. We just need to recognize how much above us He is and approach Him with reverence.
Again, I know this is repetitive, but a proper perspective of God is paramount. Without it, we don’t have a proper perspective of ourselves, sin, and the work of redemption. To diminish any of these perspectives is to “rob” God of the glory He deserves. If we make God like us, we cheapen the cross. Bringing God down to our level waters down the plan of salvation, the greatest display of God’s wisdom. When we properly see the attributes of God, we see Him as we should, High and Lifted up; but with loving eyes cast down on us and arms extended wanting to lift us up.
Up or Down?
Rather than bringing God down to our level, we need to recognize that part of the way we bring glory to Him is by being conformed to the image of His Son. In other words, an improper view of God is not only unfair to Him but unfair to us as well. Our Immortal, Invisible, Only Wise God wants to conform us to the image of Christ. Think about that.
Would you rather pull God down to earth, or have Him lift you up into the heavenlies? Why do we insult God by attributing to Him finite knowledge, when in actuality He wants to give us the mind of Christ? Why do we shorten the arm of God by limiting His power, when in actuality He wants to give us access to Resurrection power? I realize that we are limited and can never become God. But more importantly, I recognize that I can never limit God and make him like man. In thought or in song. I don’t want to be guilty of denying Him His honor and glory. As the great hymn says, “Thy great Name we praise… O help us to see”
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life thou givest — to both great and small;
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but nought changeth thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render: O help us to see
’Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.