Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
	Exodus 20:4
To understand what God must look like, man has looked to nature for clues. Looking to the sky, the Native American saw the eagle soaring majestically overhead and decided God must be an eagle. Looking at the grassy plain, the Indian saw the powerful yet peaceful cow and decided God must be a cow. Looking down to the sea, the Pacific Islander saw the massive sea turtle with its impenetrable shell and decided God must be a sea turtle. Although we know better than this, we as believers can fall prey to the same tendency. You see, there are those who say, “When I get to heaven, I’m going to sit on God’s lap and feel His embrace.” While I understand their sentiment, the image is faulty, for in the book of Revelation, God is not described as having a long white beard, flowing hair, bulging biceps, and muscular calves, reaching out His finger to touch man as Michelangelo portrayed Him in the Sistine Chapel. He’s described primarily by color—the flame of His eyes; the red of His garment (Revelation 19). Jesus simply said, “God is Spirit” (see John 4:24). Therefore, I don’t believe we’re going to see the Father as having arms, hands, and legs. “But doesn’t Scripture say He spans the universe with His hand?” you ask (Isaiah 40:12). Yes, but it also says He covers us with His wings (Psalm 91:4). Therefore, I believe it is as much a mistake to think that God the Father has two eyes, a nose, and two ears, as it is to think He has wings or feathers. God cannot be contained by a body, no matter how great. He’s Spirit. He’s everywhere. When we get to heaven, with our new bodies, we’ll be able to bask in His glory, just as the high priest did in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. But I don’t believe we will “sit on His lap,” as we would with our earthly fathers. God is everywhere, all around us. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. Jesus relates to us. Christianity is not about making an image of God, no matter how noble or grand. It’s about looking at Jesus, and allowing Him to conform us into His image. By Pastor Jon Courson Daily Manna in FB