God Alone
Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (CSB)
We live in a pluralistic world, meaning that people adhere to various deities and often worship multiple gods. This is nothing new. Throughout history, cultures such as the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans have worshiped a multitude of gods. As Christians, we recognize the fallacy of such beliefs. We believe in the ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD.
ONE GOD
Moses wrote, “The Lord is One.” This statement declares the monotheistic nature of the people. While monotheism distinguishes these people from other nations, the statement conveys far more. Moses’ declaration about the Lord identifies His unique oneness: the singularity of the one true God, the unity within the Godhead, and the distinctiveness of God’s character, nature, and person. Moses identifies the Lord as the one and only God. Similarly, we must acknowledge and hold fast to the truth that God alone is the One True God.
LIVING GOD
The people of the world built idols for worship. These deities were merely the materials from which they were made. They did not exist and held no power or authority. In contrast to the idols created by humanity, God is alive. He lives and works within the world. The difference between these two realities is exemplified when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. On that mountain, God acted and demonstrated that He is alive, while Baal's failure revealed his nonexistent state. We must recognize that God is eternal and, therefore, has always lived, is living, and will forever live.
GOD ALONE
As the one true living God, He alone desires our complete devotion, commitment, and love. In Deuteronomy, Moses declared that the people must love the Lord with their entire being. Our love for God must never be selective or withheld. Instead, it should be submissive, surrendering, and whole. We must love God alone with all our heart, soul, and strength.
QUESTIONS
Why is it a central truth to hold to the Lord as the one and only God?
How does God being the one and only true God form our response to Him with out entire lives?
