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What If God Was One of Us

Recently, I was asked to give a short answer to these questions: “Who is God? Who is He not?                                                                                                                                         

Simple, right? Not.

As I stared down the echoing and vast abyss of those two questions, one thought initially popped into my thoroughly intimidated brain: *gulp*

Recently, I was asked to give a short answer to these questions: “Who is God? Who is He not?                                                                                                                                         

Simple, right? Not.

As I stared down the echoing and vast abyss of those two questions, one thought initially popped into my thoroughly intimidated brain: *gulp*

Joan Osborne wrote a song called “What If God Was One of Us?” Her video displayed the mundane machinations of humanity, with a subtext of longing to know Him:

If God had a face what would it look like
And would you want to see
If seeing meant that you would have to believe
In things like heaven and in
Jesusand the saints and all the prophets

The truth is, the most accurate, succinct, and unambiguous answer to who God is, is Jesus.

John1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.” Colossians 1:15-17 states, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

And oh, how I love Jesus for making it plain just who God is! If Jesus is Emmanuel – God With Us – then God is a humble and willing saver of souls, the healer, one who is in the fray with us, in our grief and suffering, one who desires to nourish us and commune with us, dine with us and wash our feet, reveals his glory to us and gives us strength to live and die with purpose and somehow walk on water even in the storms of live. He is faithful and true, He is love, He is a door waiting to be opened.

Who God is not

  • He’s not a man that he should lie
  • He’s never unfaithful
  • He’s not an American
  • He’s not so concerned with wealth building as with character building (or else Jesuswouldn’t be born in a manger to modest parents and reared in a Podunk town)
  • He’s not just like your parents (although your folks could be good representations of His love)
  • He doesn’t bait you with grace and then switch to works/shame/guilt after you repent
  • He’s not out to get you
  • He’s not intimidated by questioning, but…
  • He doesn’t reward the arrogant or proud
  • He’s not erased by doubt or unbelief

My short and most accurate response to the question, “Who is God?”

Look at Jesus.

The One who created with a pronouncement, who is the Word, the Good Shepherd, the King of Kings, redeemer of humanity, avenger of evil and co-heir in the glory to come.

We long to know who God is, and know that He is real and that He cares for us. He does have a face. Look at Jesus. He is real. Look at Jesus. Recognizing God’s face makes all the difference.

 You can literally hear the difference when you listen to this interpretation of Joan Osborne’s song, but this time, sung by Cheryl Pepsi Riley.

Sharifa Stevens is a Manhattan-born, Bronx-raised child of the King, born to Jamaican immigrants, and currently living in Dallas. Sharifa's been singing since she was born. Her passion is to serve God's kingdom by leading His people in worship through music, speaking and writing, and relationships with people. Her heart is also unity, inspired by John. Sharifa hates exercise but likes Chipotle, bagels with a schmeer and lox, salmon sushi, chicken tikka, curried goat (yeah, it's good) with rice and peas, and chocolate lava cakes. She's been happily married to Jonathan since 2006...and he buys her Chipotle.