Do You Have the Right Picture of God?

A lot of us carry around the wrong idea about God. We have this picture in our head of what God is like, and sometimes it's not accurate.

Some people imagine Him as a harsh judge, just waiting for us to mess up so He can bring down the hammer. Something goes wrong in life and suddenly the thought creeps in: “God’s getting even with me. I skipped church. I didn’t tithe this month. Now He’s punishing me.”

But is that really what God is like?

Is He some grumpy, grudge-holding cosmic grouch keeping score in the sky? A divine killjoy just waiting to say, “Aha! Caught you!”?

No. Absolutely not.

Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe some of your beliefs about God aren’t true? That maybe the version of God you inherited growing up—or picked up along the way—isn’t an accurate picture?

That’s why we need to go straight to the source: God’s Word. It’s where He reveals who He really is. And even more incredible, God wanted us to know Him so deeply that He came down in human form—Jesus Christ—so we could see His heart in action.

If you want an accurate picture of God... look at Jesus. That's God's heart. That's his attitude toward mankind. Jesus reveals God's character.

“For everyone has sinned...yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins.”—Romans 3:23–24 (NLT)

Let that sink in. God, in His kindness, wipes your record clean. There’s no condemnation for those who put their faith in Christ. None. That’s the good news of the gospel! That's an accurate picture of God's heart toward you.

“Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.”—Ephesians 1:4

Think about that: before God even created you, He knew every mistake you would make—every selfish choice, every wrong thought, every sin. And still… He chose to make you. He still loves you. That’s grace. That’s kindness. That’s who God really is.

And here’s where it gets real for us: because God has shown us so much grace, kindness, and forgiveness, we’re called to extend the same to others. When you have an accurate picture of who God really is, you can give other people the same grace, kindness and forgiveness that he has given you.

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”—Ephesians 4:32

How are you doing in the forgiveness department?

At Seminole Church, we talk a lot about forgiveness—and for good reason. If you're struggling to forgive others, it might be because you’re not feeling very forgiven yourself.

Here’s the truth:

Graced people are gracious people.

Forgiven people forgive.

Merciful people show mercy.

When I find it hard to forgive someone, I just pause and remember this: “I will never have to forgive another person more than what God has already forgiven me.”

So if you’re holding on to guilt, shame, or a distorted image of God, I encourage you—get into His Word. Let the truth of His character wash over you. He’s not mad at you. He’s not out to get you. He loves you. He forgives you. And the more you understand His love, the more you’ll find healing—and the ability to pass that same grace on to others.