Unlock the mysteries of God's very essence and how it influences every aspect of our lives and faith. Our latest episode takes you on a profound exploration of the ontology of God—an endeavor that promises to deepen your understanding of scripture and the way we view our existence. We delve into the scriptural heartlands, drawing from passages like Mark 10:18 and 1 John 4:8, to paint a vivid picture of God’s goodness and love. And as we align these truths with the embodiment of Jesus, we challenge you to mirror your life and beliefs after His perfect example. This journey isn't just theological—it's a practical guide that shapes our daily interactions and molds our worldview.
As we cultivate our spiritual gardens this spring, the episode also serves as a gentle reminder to stay open to growth, to the evolution of our relationship with God, and to the transformative power of love. Through an engaging conversation, we underscore the importance of shedding old paradigms and embracing new revelations that align with Jesus’s revelation of God’s true essence. We share insights on how misconceptions of divine attributes may arise and the need for a future in-depth scriptural study to avoid such pitfalls. Let this episode be the catalyst for shifting from fear to love in your understanding of the Divine, and join us in a heartfelt discussion that promises to enrich not just your spiritual journey, but your everyday life as well.
Unlock the mysteries of God's very essence and how it influences every aspect of our lives and faith. Our latest episode takes you on a profound exploration of the ontology of God—an endeavor that promises to deepen your understanding of scripture and the way we view our existence. We delve into the scriptural heartlands, drawing from passages like Mark 10:18 and 1 John 4:8, to paint a vivid picture of God’s goodness and love. And as we align these truths with the embodiment of Jesus, we challenge you to mirror your life and beliefs after His perfect example. This journey isn't just theological—it's a practical guide that shapes our daily interactions and molds our worldview.
As we cultivate our spiritual gardens this spring, the episode also serves as a gentle reminder to stay open to growth, to the evolution of our relationship with God, and to the transformative power of love. Through an engaging conversation, we underscore the importance of shedding old paradigms and embracing new revelations that align with Jesus’s revelation of God’s true essence. We share insights on how misconceptions of divine attributes may arise and the need for a future in-depth scriptural study to avoid such pitfalls. Let this episode be the catalyst for shifting from fear to love in your understanding of the Divine, and join us in a heartfelt discussion that promises to enrich not just your spiritual journey, but your everyday life as well.
Speaker 1:
Welcome and greetings to you. Thank you for joining the Love Boomerang podcast. I have been alluding to something in the last few episodes that I want to bring out into the open. The full eclipse this past week has brought a lot of it to the forefront in people's conversations and lives lately. In order for our understanding of scripture and of life really to be correct, the foundation of everything we know and believe has to be solid, and it must be based in what we call the ontology of God. Ontology means what is true about a thing, in this case God. God is the starting point of everything. Revelation 22, verse 13, states I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, which means that we're sandwiched right there in the middle of it all. Let's talk about the ontology of God so that we can establish a right foundation of God. So that we can establish a right foundation, what is it that we know is true about God? Well, we know scripture says that God is good. In Mark, chapter 10, verse 18, jesus is talking to a disciple and says to him why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
Speaker 1:
We also know that Scripture says that God is love. We've used this verse several times in past episodes 1 John 4, verse 8. For God is love, and everything listed in 1 Corinthians 13, verses 4 through 8, points to what love is, and it reads Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous. Love does not brag, it is not arrogant, it does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit, it is not provoked meaning provoked to anger, which is my interpretation. It does not keep an account of a wrong suffered Hmm, love does not keep an account of a wrong suffered Ponder that one for a while. We'll come back to that. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Isn't it funny how Paul contrasts unrighteousness with truth and not unrighteousness? Anyway, let's keep going. Love keeps every confidence. It believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
Speaker 1:
These are descriptions of what love is, not only what love does, although it does include that. And since God is love, it does include that. And since God is love, then all of these statements are also true about God's character and nature. I'll make this part a little shorter, as we've already addressed some of this in past episodes. Basically, the idea is we need to see God for who God is and believe that first and foremost. And Jesus is the perfect representation in human form of who God is.
Speaker 1:
In addition to this, once we know who God is, then, and only then, can we determine what God's intentions and motives are towards us. And isn't that the real struggle we have? It's not really about whether we believe God is good or not, or even whether God is love and loving. We know those things are true because scripture says it's true. So therefore it's in the Bible. I believe it Right, and there's no argument there and I'm not saying there should be. But just because it's in the Bible doesn't mean that's always true, unless you understand the depths of the meaning of the particular scripture that you're looking at.
Speaker 1:
Anyway, going back to the point, it's not really about whether we believe God is good or not, or even about whether God is love and loving. The real question, the deep question that we have way down inside of us, really is what is God's motive and intentions towards us? God may be good, but does that mean that God is good to me? God may be love, but does that mean God loves me personally? Our question is not really with God's nature or character, as we can easily prove those things scripturally. The problem is that we've had so many situations in our lives with other human beings that the nature and character of those people don't always line up with their intentions, motives or behaviors towards us. So we project that on God. We end up questioning God's intentions and motives towards us and humanity at large, and that's why we have so many theological differences about subjects like hell, substitutionary atonement, incarnation, etc. But here's the thing God's intentions and motives towards us will never betray God's nature and character, and that we can take to the bank. The rest we have to struggle with.
Speaker 1:
Once we have the foundation of God's nature, character, intentions and motives solidified in our being and in our beliefs, then we can move on to the next thing. Everything Jesus did and does today will always reflect the nature, character, motivations and intentions of God, god's ontology, god's ontology, jesus is always going to reflect what is true about God. And since that's true and we know that it is because Jesus said if you've seen me, you've seen the Father then how we view everything else has to come through the lens of Jesus, not the lens of our own prejudices or biases, not the lens of our religious beliefs, not the lens of how we interpret scripture and how we establish doctrines, not the lens of our political viewpoints and opinions, not the lens of our political viewpoints and opinions, not the lens of anything other than the character, nature, motivations and intentions of Jesus, because he is going to reflect, has reflected and will continue to reflect the ontology of God, what is true about God. This means that everything in life, including all of our beliefs, viewpoints, opinions, everything, all need to be seen, and not only seen but established through that one lens, the lens of Jesus. And if our beliefs, viewpoints and opinions do not line up with the ontology of God shown through Jesus, then we must change our minds also known as repenting and get in line with Jesus. This also means that our reading, interpretation and understanding of Scripture must be viewed through that same lens as well.
Speaker 1:
Let me give you some examples. Many, many places in the Old Testament describe all of the horrible tortures, wars and devastation that occurred in those stories. Does that mean, because it's in the Bible, that we should be sanctioning or agreeing that torture, wars and devastation are okay? Of course not. The Old Testament talks about polygamy and slavery, but does that mean that we should be okay with them just because they're in the Bible? No, of course not. I'm going to hit a sore spot.
Speaker 1:
Next. What about homosexuality? Just because it's in the Old Testament, does that mean that we should be shunning LGBTQIA persons just because it's in the Bible? Oh, now, wait a minute. You've gone too far. Most people would say, okay, let's leave that topic for another day, but ponder on it. Or could we go even a step further and go the total distance? What about abortion? Okay, okay, I know I'm pressing the envelope too far now and so soon I get it. We'll come back to those topics later. I don't want to lose you so soon. Let's get back to the point.
Speaker 1:
The point is, just because it's in the Bible doesn't mean that we should always agree with the way certain things have been described in the Bible. I'll give you some more examples. I've heard prophecies lately several of them because of the full eclipse that we just experienced last week that describe one woman said that God has lost his temper and that God is not happy with the United States and that God's grace, mercy and patience has run out. And if certain areas of the country, particularly those that were in the path of the full eclipse areas of the country, particularly those that were in the path of the full eclipse, don't repent for the whole. Then the United States Ask yourself does this line up with the nature, character, intentions and motives not only of the historical Jesus but the living and powerful word of Jesus being spoken today? No, it absolutely does not and I am being very emphatic about that because it doesn't.
Speaker 1:
I said this in a few Facebook posts and comments I made recently that if it doesn't line up with who Jesus demonstrated God to be the ontology of God in history and who Jesus is demonstrating God to be the ontology of God now, then we must throw out what we're hearing and seeing. It does not mean that we should be judgmental of the people delivering those messages. They mean well, they probably feel and believe that they are hearing from God. But all prophecies, personal or corporate, must be tested, and tested first and foremost against the ontology of God, god's nature, character, intentions and motives before we believe or accept them. And if those words don't line up, then we dismiss them. No judgment, no condemnation of the people delivering the messages. Just dismiss the message, don't believe it. Bless and pray for those who are making those statements in God's name in error, for that truly is the definition of using God's name in vain, the definition of using God's name in vain.
Speaker 1:
All that to say, in order for us to rightly view the world, have right beliefs and to understand scripture rightly and therefore have right choices and behaviors and actions, our starting point is in how we view God, jesus and ourselves Meaning not just myself as an individual, but also how I view my neighbors as well and, most importantly, how we discern motives and intentions, both of ourselves, each other, and of God. If those things are not firmly established in the right foundation of the ontology of God, then we will be subject to all kinds of doctrines, of demons, as the writer of the book of Timothy refers to them, and we will find ourselves wandering in the desert and off the straight path that God is laying before us each and every step of the way. It's the difference between words and actions. Actions always have the higher weight, right? We always talk about how somebody's words and their actions don't line up. So let's look at Jesus. Did his words and actions line up with each other, and what were his actions towards us? Was it war, devastation, punishment, condemnation? You answer that for yourself and then evaluate your answer to see if it lines up with the ontology of God. I know what the answer is for me, but you need to evaluate that for yourself.
Speaker 1:
All of this is not to mean that we should hold so tightly to our own beliefs that we cannot grow, because this journey, this relationship with God individually and collectively, requires us to hold our opinions, viewpoints and beliefs a little more loosely. Our journey, our relationship with God and Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, and with each other, is all about growth, and growth requires that we have the ability to allow new or higher revelations about circumstances, situations, scripture, etc. To be not only granted, granted, but to be received and believed as well. It is a journey of ever-evolving understanding and action. When we stop being open to new ideas, new ways of thinking or new revelations about things that have been long held traditions or beliefs, then we will cease to grow with God, we will stagnate. Right now, we're in the season of growth. It's springtime in 2024. The grass is growing and it's vibrant green.
Speaker 1:
Farmers and gardeners are starting to prepare their soil and their seeds for new food sources, both for us and for the animal and insect kingdoms, and to do? That requires tilling, fertilizing, planting, and then eventually feeding and watering, nurturing and pruning. Eventually, feeding and watering, nurturing and pruning that would be the equivalent of us allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us, hearing what is said, testing it based on how Scripture tells us to test it, and then following what the Holy Spirit says. This is the tilling of the garden of our hearts, and that can include a change in mind, also known as repentance. It can also include a change of belief or taking some action that God is telling you to take or, harder yet, letting go of long-held beliefs about a lot of things.
Speaker 1:
Like I said in the beginning, once we have our foundation set and it's God, then everything we think, do, say or believe is going to be skewed as well. This is why it's so important to understand who Jesus is, so that we can understand the ontology of God and we can go forward from that place. And for any newbies out there, I would say start or even some folks who have been around the block a time or two, I would say start with getting to know Jesus in the scripture, Find out what he is like, read the red letters, learning to hear his voice, so that you can know what he is teaching you establish your belief about who Jesus is first. Once you have that, then you'll know the Father already. And once you know those two things by the way, our understanding of Jesus, god and the Holy Spirit is ever-evolving, but the Trinitarian personalities never change. But once you know those two things, then you can begin to evaluate everything else in your life. From that foundation you can begin to hear and recognize Jesus' voice. You will know when you hear something whether that's from God or not. Why? Because you know the ontology of God, the character, nature, intentions and motivations. God, the character, nature, intentions and motivations. No-transcript. All of that through the Holy Spirit, for example.
Speaker 1:
Let's use this as an example. If you know that God is love right, 1 John 4, 8 says that and that 1 Corinthians 13, verse 4 says that love is patient Then you can make the leap. That says that God is patient. Okay, great, god is patient. Now, if I see something in the Old Testament or New Testament that would appear to show or indicate that God is not patient, you can reject that idea outright and know that there must be an alternate way of interpreting that piece of scripture. Or let's say, someone says that God is running out of patience with me, a person, or our community or our state or our nation, or the world for that matter, and you know, the above is the ontology of God. Again, that which is true about God is that God is patient, then you can outright reject that statement from that person. It does not mean that person is not well-meaning in their thoughts. It just means that what they are saying doesn't line up with who scripture and the living word Jesus says that God is. It doesn't line up with Jesus' representation of God in his own actions and the way he lived while walking on this earth. And it simply means to be careful what you hear and whether you ingest what is being said.
Speaker 1:
One day I plan to go through the whole Bible and find all the verses that says God is Fill in the blank, starting with the New Testament and more pointedly, the gospels, particularly where Jesus himself says he is something. That's going to be my starting point Anytime. Jesus said I am, I'm going to write that down, study it, ponder it and then believe it, and then I'm going to expand it out to the rest of the New Testament and then finally, the Old Testament. I'm sure that we'll find places where Scripture says that God is something that will be perceived as both positive or negative. For example, god is light that would be positive, but God is wrathful would be negative. If we did that kind of study, I bet we would have more positives than negatives, but that's just my guess, though, and most of the negatives are probably not the ontology of God's character and nature, but rather an attribute that a human being assigned to God. But who knows, we'll find out. We'll go through that study together, I think and in these cases, the assessment about God should be dismissed when we find out that something does not line up with the ontology of God, but also that that piece of scripture should be re-evaluated and reinterpreted through the lens of who Jesus was, is and will continue to be. We may be very enlightened if we do that.
Speaker 1:
If we do that, my point for all of this is to get us away from fear and into love, because, as I said in a recent Facebook post, god doesn't peddle in fear, and God's currency does not include anything related to fear, terrorism, anxiety, etc. God's economy is an economy of love. Yes, god can be severe, but that does not mean that the severity of God is from any other motive and intention than love itself. That was the greatest commandment. Jesus said love the lord, your god, with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Love your enemies. Love is the currency, love is the economy. Anything that is not of or in love is not of God.
Speaker 1:
So can we now all agree that our foundation is that of goodness, of love and of growth, redemption, restoration, reconciliation, healing and ultimately, if you boil all that down, god's intentions and motivations towards us is for our good, for our benefit, for our healing and our growth? That is the God of love. That God does not deal in punishments, because punishment involves fear. If we can agree on that, and we can agree that, because we are made in God's image, that we too are also good, that we too are love, and if I could believe that about myself, then I can start viewing other people that same way, even the ones who truly get on my nerves, that same way, even the ones who truly get on my nerves and that I don't really like much, even the ones that I would say are most despicable and are also, at their core, good and love, and that I must respect that about them. If we can all start doing that, then maybe we can all start valuing every single life as something that has value and worth and we can get away from all the bad stuff in this world. It is my greatest hope that we eventually all get there. It is my greatest hope that we eventually all get there. Think upon these things.
Speaker 1:
I hope you've enjoyed this. Have a blessed day and, if you like this podcast, please go to the show on your podcast app. Rate it, rate the show, rate the episodes, episodes, leave some comments and like on social media platforms that you use and, most importantly, please, please, share it with your friends and family. I adore you all. God bless and talk to you next time. Thank you.
