Monday, August 28, 2017

God’s Attributes as to Moral Beings


Our God is an interactive God who actively cares for us and wants the best for us. He is for us and with us in every way.   

August’s Awakening, Day 28

            Today we begin our discussion of the attributes of God as He relates to moral beings. There are fifteen attributes that we will look at over the next few days—impassibility, justice and righteousness, holiness, truth, sovereignty, spirituality/simplicity, faithfulness, genuineness, freedom, life, grace, mercy and goodness, love and benevolence, veracity, and persistence. These are the characteristics and nature of God through which He will primarily interact with us.

            Impassibility. God is incapable of suffering pain or harm and is not moved emotionally by any external stimulus. The characteristics that we as humans describe as emotions (such as love) are not emotions for God—they are inherent attributes. God is not swayed by such emotions, but simply acts and interacts according to the perfect harmony and balance of His attributes. Love is not a feeling or emotion for God, it is an innate attribute of His essence.

 

Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:13–14, 28 NIV  

 

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:35–36 NIV  

 

            Justice and Righteousness. The justice of God is moral equity; He does not show favoritism, but always acts according to what is true and right. The righteousness of God is His holiness applied to all relationships. God’s Word, Law, and all His actions are exactly and precisely correct.

 

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Acts 10:34–35 NIV 

 

For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11 NIV 

 

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. Psalm 19:7–9 NIV  

 

but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24 NIV   

 

            Holiness. God is righteous, perfect in every way, set apart and separated from all sin, evil, and darkness. There is no wrong within Him, nor the possibility of any wrongdoing or moral mistake.

 

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15–16 NIV 

 

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:1–2 NIV 

 

            We will continue tomorrow with our study of the attributes of God as He relates to moral beings. This is the personal God that you should come to know very well.

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