I’ve heard it said that “God made man in His image, and man returned the favor” (I’ve seen that quote attributed to a few people, but Voltaire seems to be the first to have said it).  There is a lot of truth to that sentiment, and I think it’s worth reflecting upon.  We can all be too guilty of assuming that God is like us in the way He thinks, the values and issues that are paramount to him, and the people he likes and dislikes.  For example, far too many American Christians seem to believe that “God is love” means that God accepts everyone as they are and would never dare tell anyone that they need to repent of the way they are living, when in reality His love is a holy love that can not stand sin.  And just look at Christians and politics – some people are convinced that Jesus would vote Republican; others that He would vote Democrat; and still others that He would stay as far away as he could from politics.  I think it’s safe to say that too often we can be guilty of assuming that God is just like us.

But He’s not like you. 

I think we would be wise to remember the words of Isaiah:

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:6-9).

 When I read that passage, it’s as if God is saying to me, “I know you think I am like you, but I am utterly different, quintessentially Holy to my innermost being.  Instead of believing I am just like you and value the same things you do, do this:  Seek after me.  Turn away from the path you think leads to life, and turn to me so that I might have mercy on you and show you what life really is.”

So, instead of making God in your own image, ask yourself this question today:  Where is the character of God as revealed in Jesus Christ most unlike you?  When you reflect on Jesus, where is He utterly different than you?  And how does that challenge you to “forsake your way” and to instead turn to the Lord?

Let me give a few examples.  Some of you may be great at knowing the Bible, speaking the truth, and are not afraid what people think.  Congratulations – Jesus was the same way:  He was not concerned about the opinions of others but only with pleasing God (see John 2:24-25 – “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men.  He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.”).  But Jesus was also a friend to sinners, beloved by those who were far from God.  And many who are passionate about the truth and unconcerned about the opinions of others have a hard time reflecting that same love and compassion to the world. 

Or, conversely, maybe you are great at relating to everyone, especially to those outside the church.  You are loved by everyone as you reflect the unconditional love and acceptance of Jesus.  Yet in your desire to accept and love all, you never reach the place in your relationships where you are challenging people to repent and trust Jesus, and by doing so depart from the way of Jesus (see Mark 1:14-15 - After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”).

Where is Jesus most unlike you?  Perhaps you reflect His gentleness but possess little of His passion or authority.  Maybe you are quick to hold people to high standards (Matthew 5:48 - “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”), but find it hard to forgive those who can’t meet your standards seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:22).  Perhaps you love to serve God, but do not rely on Him in prayer the way Jesus did.  Maybe you long for God to use you to heal and perform miracles as Jesus did, but you are not willing to suffer the way He did.

I know that God has been working on me in this area in the past month.  I see how Jesus was a man of great passion and authority who took His calling very seriously, from rising early to spend time with the Father (Mark 1:35), to sweating blood over the sacrifice He was about to offer (Luke 22:44).  I, on the other hand, am very laid back, often to the point of coasting on talent instead of possessing that desperate need for God that would drive me to seek Him so earnestly.  I am realizing more and more how unlike me God is, and how much I need to, as Isaiah said, forsake my ways and turn to Him, so that He might have mercy on me and teach me to walk in His ways, which are so much higher than mine. 

Where is Jesus most unlike you?  Where is He calling you to repent and allow Him to transform you more and more into His character?  Resist the urge to make God over into your own image, and instead allow Him to continually re-create you into His image.

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