Be Like God

by Josh Liu

By the title of this article, you most likely drew one of two initial conclusions: (1) Blasphemy! There is one God and no man can be God! Or, (2) yes, how can we be more like Christ?

In a way, both responses can be valid. Pastors preach against opposing the King of kings, as well as preach the need to pursue Christ-likeness. However, our actions and attitudes often betray what we preach. Allow me to offer several clarifying principles.

Principle one: Man’s desire, pursuit, and activity of being God (or “playing God”) is wicked and evil. To believe in humanity’s divine nature (deification) or potential is blasphemy. Man sought to be God (Gen. 3:1-6); Satan sought to be God (Is. 14:13-14; Ezek. 28:17); and others acted in a way befitting only for God (acting like God): the friends judging Job (Job 42:7) and King Nebuchadnezzar ascribing himself glory (Dan. 4:1-37) – all of whom were judged by God.

Principle two: The Creator-creature distinction is a permanent distinction. It should always remind us of the evil of attempting to be God, act like God, or make something as God. Angelic beings, though holy and incredibly powerful, are still creatures and should not be worshipped or deified (cf. Rev. 19:10; Ps. 103:20; Heb. 1:5-7). Also, inanimate objects are never to be worshiped as God (cf. Ex. 32:1ff; Is. 44:9-17; Rom. 1:21-23).

Principle three: Man, who was created to be in relationship with God, needs the righteousness of God in order to dwell with God. Man is utterly unrighteous and sinful, which will not be tolerated in the holy, righteous presence of God (cf. Ex. 3:4-6; Ps. 15:1-5; Is. 6:5-7). Thus, for man to be with God, he must be holy as God is holy (cf. Lev. 19:2). The command is not to be God.

Principle four: God grants His righteousness to man so that their relationship may be restored (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-27). The gift of God’s righteousness is part of God’s redemptive plans (cf. Eph. 1:4).

Principle five: As a result, Christians demonstrate that inner, spiritual reality through an outward life consistent with the holiness of God (cf. 1 Pet. 1:14-16). The righteous life that God expects was exemplified in the incarnate Son of God. So, we pursue to be like Christ (cf. John 13:12-16; Phil. 2:5ff; Rom. 15:2-3; Eph. 5:1-2, 22-32).

Principle six: God has declared that by the power and work of the Holy Spirit, believers are being renewed into the image of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:49; 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 8:29; Phil 3:21). God has declared that we will rule with Christ (cf. Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21; 20:4).

In response to the above principles, consider what you say, do, and think that may be communicating being, acting, or making something to be God. How might you be demonstrating an attitude of “if I were God…”?

Ask yourself the following God-checks:

  • Are you more concerned about man’s opinions about you than God’s?
  • Do you often lie or try to manipulate others?
  • Are there attributes of God that you struggle to believe, depend on, or rejoice in?
  • Are you more concerned with pleasing others than pleasing God?
  • Do you always give thanks to God for who He is and what He’s done?
  • Are there things you hate about yourself and would change if given the opportunity (e.g. physical appearance)?
  • If you had a time machine, would you go back in time to change events?
  • What do you value most in life? What do you spend most of your thought, resources, and time on?
  • What would bring you greatest happiness and satisfaction?