What does this mean?
The Bible in Genesis chapter one declares emphatically that “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth” arguably the most profound words in the whole of Scripture.
We live in an age of science and technology where new discoveries are being made every day. But there is still a vast unknown that challenges science and there is no greater challenge than the origin of the Universe or why we exist at all.
We understand from astrophysicists that the current observable Universe contains more stars than all the grains of sand on every beach in the World. A concept we find almost impossible to comprehend. But on top of this the Universe is expanding on its infinite path driven by forces only described as, so called, dark matter and dark energy because the forces cannot be seen or understood.
From whatever perspective we approach these vast subjects we are challenged. We either arrive at the state of incomprehension, total bewilderment and awe deciding that I am not a scientist and cannot understand these things or pick up the Bible as a rational alternative to see why the Universe exists, and why human beings and all creature exist too.
As mentioned at the outset, the Bible is emphatic, God Created it all as we read:
We live in an age of science and technology where new discoveries are being made every day. But there is still a vast unknown that challenges science and there is no greater challenge than the origin of the Universe or why we exist at all.
We understand from astrophysicists that the current observable Universe contains more stars than all the grains of sand on every beach in the World. A concept we find almost impossible to comprehend. But on top of this the Universe is expanding on its infinite path driven by forces only described as, so called, dark matter and dark energy because the forces cannot be seen or understood.
From whatever perspective we approach these vast subjects we are challenged. We either arrive at the state of incomprehension, total bewilderment and awe deciding that I am not a scientist and cannot understand these things or pick up the Bible as a rational alternative to see why the Universe exists, and why human beings and all creature exist too.
As mentioned at the outset, the Bible is emphatic, God Created it all as we read:
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Psalm 8 “O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, you who set your glory above the Heavens! – When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingers, The moon and stars which you have ordained.” And Isaiah 45. Both quoted from King James Version as prime examples.
Isaiah 45 “I have made the earth, And created man on it. It was I - My hands that stretched out the heavens And all their host I have commanded.” |
In Genesis Chapter 1 v 2 we are introduced to our subject:
“And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters”
The Hebrew word “ruach” translated as Spirit but has the same meaning as wind.
In simple terms one could say it conveys the idea of “unseen power”. The Spirit of God was the creative force.
This is confirmed in the words of Job 26 v 13.
Job 26 v 13
By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens.”
By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens.”
In the New testament we read words of the Lord Jesus Christ from which our subject is a quotation from the Gospel of John Chapter 4 v 24 ” God is Spirit”. Here we see Jesus stating categorically that God is Spirit.
The word translated Spirit comes from the original Greek word “pneuma” which has the same meaning as the Hebrew word “ruach” ie. Wind or to Blow. In fact we use the word pneumatic in everyday use in the context of drills or tyres. Here we understand it in all aspects conveying the idea of an unseen force or energy.
Therefore “ God is Spirit” tells us that God is the ultimate source of all power and this is confirmed in the concluding words of the Lord’s prayer “ For Yours in the Kingdom the power and the glory forever. Amen”.
From the quotations already sited we can see that God is Unique. God is not flesh and blood as we are, is not sustained by respiration and is in perfect contrast as stated in Psalm 146 v 3-6
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“Do not put your trust in princess, Nor in the Son of man in whom there is no help. His breath (spirit ruach) departs he returns to his earth: in that very day his plans perish” But “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them: Who keeps truth forever”. |
The Psalm introduces the other fundamental aspect of God - his character- one of love and care “The Lord opens the eyes of the blind” ”The Lord loves the righteous” ”The Lord watches over the strangers”.
This is the context to which Jesus refers to in John Chapter 4 “God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth”. The words of Jesus conveys clearly that a service to God must be trying to emulate his character and is the reason the lord Jesus came into the World to manifest the loving characteristics of God. John 17 v 3:
This is the context to which Jesus refers to in John Chapter 4 “God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth”. The words of Jesus conveys clearly that a service to God must be trying to emulate his character and is the reason the lord Jesus came into the World to manifest the loving characteristics of God. John 17 v 3:
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"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." |
When the apostle Paul was writing his letter to the church in Galatia he urges them in Galatians Chapter 4 The word spirit is exactly the same and is emphasizing that being a Christian is a life- time work in combating normal human (flesh and blood) desires.
In contrast a Christian and follower of Jesus and God must manifest the Godly attributes as listed as fruits, “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control”. In other words attempting to manifest in our lives all those wonderful aspects of God’s character.
Finally ”God is Spirit” and Paul when writing to Timothy, sums up beautifully the wonder and magnificence of God, something we have great difficulty in understanding fully. It is not surprising, how can the finite contemplate the infinite and without the Scripture I am convinced we are unable to.
Paul illuminates our very poor understanding of these amazing facts about God when addressing his letter to Timothy and ultimately to all who would listen and discern:
1 Timothy 6 v 13-16. NIV:
”In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no-one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might for ever. Amen”
