The Doctrine of God
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
This week we continue to let another common image serve to express the Bible’s revelation about God. From last week’s use of the image of father we move this week to that of king. Living in a country where democracy is our form of government, we do not have firsthand involvement with the role of a king.
Even though we cannot draw upon personal experience with a king’s rulership, we can profit from the idea of God as King. Psalm 24:7–8 admonishes, “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”
To the chanting of the Psalmist we might add the declaration of Jeremiah: “The Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King” (Jer. 10:10).
Kings typically rule over kingdoms. The Bible reveals to us that as King, God has a kingdom. Out of His up close and eternal association with God the Father, Christ His Son taught His followers to acknowledge in prayer to God, “For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever” (Matt. 6:13).
In a similar manner, Christ embarked on His ministry of declaring God’s good news, saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15).
Kings might be referred to as potentates, sovereigns or rulers. The implication is that kings are unrivaled in their position and authority. While earthly kings may be toppled or replaced, God is the everlasting King. Long ago, the Psalmist, in talking with God in prayer, confessed this truth, declaring, “Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations” (Ps. 145:13).
The imagery of God as King presents Him as glorious, everlasting, powerful and sovereign.
Even so, as King, God remains also very personal to those who come to declare as did the Psalmist long ago, “God is my King” (Ps. 74:12).
Although being all-powerful, God is not overpowering so as to force Himself upon anyone. He waits patiently for each of us, one by one, to choose to bow to His spiritual rule. When we come under God’s spiritual rule, we learn the blessed truth that His kingdom “is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17).
“Now to the king eternal immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever” (1 Tim. 1:17).
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