What if God were like us?

      There are many who refuse to believe in God because they say if there really were a God things on this earth would be different. They would do things a certain way and they will not believe in a God who does things differently. In essence, they refuse to believe in a God who is not a mirror image of them. We could discuss how and why God is different by examining many of His own statements in Scripture and do so to great benefit. However, for the purposes of this article we’re going to consider the question stated in the title. What if God really were like me? What if He thought like me, behaved like me, and spoke like me? 1 Peter 1:14-16 says, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’.” We are called upon to conduct ourselves in a holy manner just as the One who called us is holy. But what if the Holy One, if only for a month, chose to conduct Himself after the pattern that He sees in us? How much do you suppose would change?

      Psalm 34:15 says, “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cries.” Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” It is wonderfully comforting knowing that God’s eyes and ears are always inclined toward the saint. But would that still be the case for the month He patterned His conduct after ours? Would there be times when He was not very inclined at all to see, listen to, and help His saints through their daily struggles? Would He be too tired, preoccupied, or self-absorbed to care? 

     Ezekiel 18:21-23 says, “But if a wicked person turns from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” More than anything else our God wants to be able to forgive a person of their sins and enjoy a saving relationship with them. The entirety of Scripture is about the deployment and fruition of a plan to accomplish His will in this matter. But would that still be the case for the month He patterned His conduct after ours? Would a desire and willingness to forgive characterize Him for that month? Or is it possible that He would become a grudge-holder for the month, refusing to forgive those who slighted Him even as they repent and ask forgiveness?

      Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Our God has always been eager to pour blessings upon His people, physically and spiritually. But would that still be the case for the month He patterned His conduct after ours? Would He eagerly rain spiritual blessings upon those faithful to His cause? Or is it possible that He’d be too preoccupied with Himself to even appreciate those working for and trusting in Him?

         Of course, God is not going to pattern His conduct after ours. He is always faithful and true even when we’re not. Indeed, we’re commanded to imitate Him, not the other way around (Ephesians 5:1). However, answering these questions tells us a great deal about ourselves. Did you like the answers?