This is the Gnostic understanding of God, and it is the correct understanding. But I wonder how many Christians, or Jews, or Muslims, have this understanding in mind when they speak about God? Only a tiny fraction of one percent would be my assumption. This is why, if you hold this understanding of God, as I do, it is almost impossible to talk to the average Christian about the nature of God, or about the purposes of God. Their understanding of God is quite different, and so you find yourself talking at cross purposes about two different things.
The One is the Invisible Spirit. It is not right to think of it as a God or as like God. It is more than just God.
Nothing is above it. Nothing rules it. Since everything exists within it It does not exist within anything. Since it is not dependent on anything It is eternal.
It is absolutely complete and so needs nothing. It is utterly perfect Light.
Which is why it's kind of silly to worship it. God -- the true God -- doesn't need worship, and probably doesn't care about worship. Any god that requires the worship of his creatures is not God. The real God has no human failings. He isn't "jealous" when men worship other gods. He isn't even a "he" or a "she."
Which is why the Catholic practice of venerating saints such as Mary makes so much practical sense. Saints and angels are intermediaries between God and men, and can intercede for us when we pray. God may not answer, but a lesser being who may be called "a god," may answer. But if you're going to pray to a lesser god, for heaven's sake don't let it be a god who is "jealous" and threatens you with punishment, or who asks you to kill your firstborn son, or who wants blood sacrifices. Pray to Mary, or to Jesus, who are more interested in helping you than punishing you.
I mean, if you really want to pray to the Absolute, the Highest, the God without attributes or characteristics of any kind, go right ahead, but don't expect a personalized response. That God is neither "mercy" nor "severity." He is not any duality, but Oneness.
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