re all Christians little gods?

 

Are all Christians little gods?

The answer is NO

 

Because of a statement made in Psalms 82:6 that is taken out of context some have concluded that all believers are little gods because we are the sons and daughters of God (II Cor.6:16&18) that says; 16“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” They try to add biblical authority to this idea by referring to a statement made by Jesus in (Jn. 10:34) that says; “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” and it is also taken out of context and misapplied.

 

The Hebrew word translated “gods” in Psalm 82:6 is Elohim. It usually refers to the one true GOD, but it does have other references. Psalm 82:1 plainly establishes the group of people being addressed in vs. 6 (“the congregation of the mighty”). It is clear from the next three verses that the word “gods” refers to magistrates, judges, and other people who hold positions of authority and rule and not to all of God’s sons and daughters. Calling a human magistrate a “god” indicates three things: 1) he has authority over other human beings, 2) the power he holds as a civil authority is to be feared (, and 3) he derives his power and authority from God Himself (Rom. 13:3-4), who is pictured as judging the whole earth in verse 8.

The use of the word “gods” to refer to humans is rare in the bible, but it is found elsewhere in the Old Testament. For example, when God sent Moses to Pharaoh, He said, “See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh” (Exodus 7:1). This simply means that Moses, as the messenger of God, was speaking God’s words and would therefore be God’s representative to the king. The Hebrew word Elohim is translated “judges” in (Exodus 21:6,        22:8,9 and        28).

The whole point of Psalm 82 is that earthly judges must act with impartiality and true justice, because even judges must someday stand

before the Judge of Judges. Verses 6 and 7 warn human magistrates that they, too, must be judged: “I said, `You are gods; you are all sons of The Most High.' But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” This passage is saying that God has appointed men to positions of authority in which they are considered as gods among the people. However they must remember that, even though they are representing God in this world, they are mortal and must eventually give an account to God for how they          used that authority.

Now, let’s look at how Jesus uses this passage. Jesus had just claimed to be the Son of God (John 10:25-30). The unbelieving Jews respond by charging Jesus with blasphemy, since He claimed to be God (verse 33). Jesus then quotes Psalm 82:6, reminding the Jews that the Law refers to men of authority and prestige as “gods.” Jesus’ point is this: you charge me with blasphemy based on my use of the title “Son of God”; yet your own Scriptures apply the same term to magistrates in general. If those who hold a divinely appointed office can be considered “gods,” how much more can the One whom God has chosen and sent. (verses34-36)?

Jesus defended His claim to be the Son of God on biblical and semantic grounds—there is a sense in which influential men can be thought of as gods; therefore, The Messiah can rightly apply the term to Himself.(Philippians 2:5-7).

In direct contrast, we have the serpent’s lie to Eve in the Garden. His statement, “your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5), was a half-truth. Their eyes were opened (verse 7), but they did not become like God. In fact, they lost authority, rather than gaining it. Satan deceived Eve about her ability to become like God, and so led her into responding to the lie.

 

Human beings are Not “little gods.” We who know Christ as our saviour are God’s children and we do enjoy divine nature.((II Peter1:1-4) that says; “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”.

NOTE: The Mormons believe that you will become a god after you die if you are a good enough Mormon while on earth. By the way you get your own planet too

Let us grow up and take Paul’s advice in (Ephesians 4:14) that says; “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

Rev. George Pryor M.Th.

Pastor Emeritus.

revgap@gmail.com