ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

BY: SUNNY ORLY COFFMAN - AUGUST 27, 2001 – NOVEMBER 18, 2003

 

ATTRIBUTE: Verb: 1] To think of as caused by [We attribute Edison’s success to intelligence and hard work.] 2] To think of as belonging or appropriate [We attribute courage to the lion and cunning to the fox.] Noun: 1] An object considered appropriate to a person, rank, or office; symbol: [The eagle was the attribute of Jupiter.] 2] A quality considered as belonging to a person or thing; characteristic [Patience is an attribute of a good teacher.] Syn: Trait

This past week, I was visiting both State Capitols in Baton Rouge, La - the old Capitol that looks like a Fort - and the

new Capitol that is built on the design of the Empire State Building. Huey P. Long, Governor of Louisiana had the idea to build the new Capitol, yet never served a day as Governor in that building. He was, just a few years later, murdered in the very building that he had influenced the construction. As I’m standing on the Observation Deck of the new Louisiana State Capitol on floor 24, and breathing in the awesome power and influence I see from this vantage point, I’m reminded that I’ve also stood on the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building in New York and had much the same feeling: power, success, control, influence, strong presence, - words implied but never spoken. Why? Was it just because of the association I made between the two buildings or was there actually this kind of impression over the area simply because of the presence of this 27 story structure rising over the Mississippi River valley?

As I contemplated the root of my feelings, I had the thought: If I am made in the image and likeness of God and all of that is to begin manifestation at my spiritual rebirth, just what are the attributes that God possesses and what can I expect to

see coming forth in myself? I considered the three strongest words I’ve ever heard used as descriptions of God’s attributes:

OMNIPRESENT: 1] Present everywhere at the same time; ubiquitous [The omnipresent God is with all of His children

at the same time.]

OMNISCIENT: 1] Knowledge of everything; complete or infinite knowledge [Trust in God’s omniscient knowledge of the universe to guide your steps.]

OMNIPOTENT: 1] All powerful, complete power; unlimited power [The omnipotence of God is bringing forth His plan.]

Can I dare to believe that these very attributes could manifest in this mortal body? Let us look at some promises made by God to His children. Then you draw your own conclusion from what you read.

Gen. 1:26 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the fowl of the air, over the cattle, over the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

Gen. 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

Gen. 5:1 "This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

Rom. 8:3 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."

II Cor 4:3-4 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; 4] in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine into them.

Eph 4:23 "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man; which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Jas 3:9 "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."

November 18, 2003

It has now been over 2 years since the writing of this article was begun. So many changes have taken place within me, that, today, I can’t imagine having the kind of wondering that I was at that time. Today, I have so much more understanding of who I am and the position I have as Father’s child, son, vessel to animate through and project Love, Peace and Joy to a world filled with great despair.

I believe I would end this article by saying COVENANT is a POSITION, but it is a position acquired only through RELATIONSHIP. It is not just a BIRTHRITE, an INHERITANCE, a FAVOR, no, it is a PRIVILEGE of PARTICIPATION. JESUS opened the DOOR COMPLETELY that we might now enjoy going to GOD directly without necessity of a MEDIATOR – A RELIGIOUS REPRESENTATIVE. And the LIBERTY the Risen Christ has given us is now a major ingredient in PARTICIPATION in an INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP with the CREATOR of the entire UNIVERSE.

And yet His GRACE extends to us and HIS DESIRES are that we may BE TOTALLY ONE WITH HIM – a PROJECTION of HIS IMAGE to the world. In exchange for being HIS FRIEND and COMPANION and HIS MOUTHPIECE OR MOTION PICTURE to the world, He offers that "EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS." We have already given Him everything that we thought was ours. In this state of total surrender, we are but clay in the hands of a very skilled artesian – THE CREATOR – that has a PLAN and a PURPOSE for our LIFE.

So in His working of His nature into us, we progress through the STRIPPINGS, reshapings, transformations of everything that ever represented who we thought we were. Now, as OVERCOMERS, led by the SPIRIT of GOD, walking as a Son of God – molded under the hand of the SKILLED FATHER we are RE-FORMED into HIS EXACT IMAGE. He alone knows the ingredients needed in our nature to be fit for HIS ASSIGNMENT. He alone sees the finished TAPESTRY, while we only see a very few of the threads that make up a far greater DESIGN.

 

 

 

 

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