Love is so powerful it must be guided by knowledge and depth of insight. Lives A Life Of Holiness. See, most love is selfish. Those who do not fear God, will not. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 1 John 3:1 We must through prayer and wise counsel discern those times. Listen to how Paul commonly greeted Christians with this title: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. If you call me, I will call you. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. Below are the 7 major traits of true bonafide Children of God who are truly saved and are on their way to heaven. This is part of the reason that, looking at the world today, nobody has a good definition of love. He pulled out the chair for her; he listened to her; he took care of her needs. What is the main difference between a Reformed understanding of Gods sovereignty and an Arminian one? Heb 4:16). Gods holiness is a summary of all his other characteristics. The believers position in Christ changes him or her into a new creation. As a Reserve military chaplain, when talking to struggling married couples, I often ask them, What happened? The personal consciousness of human beings awakens in . What Are the Attributes of God? It does not say that God works some things according to the purpose of his will, but all things. .
Characteristics of God - List of Divine Attributes in the Bible Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, I will entice him. By what means? the LORD asked. Attributes, DIVINE.In order to form a more systematic idea of God, and, as far as possible, to unfold the implications of the truth, God is All-Perfect, this infinite Perfection is viewed, successively, under various aspects, each of which is treated as a separate perfection and characteristic inherent to the Divine Substance, or Essence.A certain group of these, of paramount import, is . David said these were ordained. The word ordained eliminates the possibility of chance. Listen to what Peter says: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do (emphasis mine); for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy (1 Peter 1:1516). Exodus 34:6-7 is quoted and adapted by biblical authors more than any other passage in the Bible. 1. Pray that the members of the church would demonstrate this love by serving one another, forgiving one another, and being patient with one another so that Christ will be glorified (John 13:35). 34:1-4. He is not only a God of love but of wrath, and therefore, we should fear and revere him. What does Gods wrath mean? We see God in control of each mans time on the earth. God loved us while we were still sinners. Listen to the prophecy: Micaiah continued, Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. Nothing and no one is stronger than him. Why is Gods sovereignty such a controversial doctrine? Listen to what Christ said in Matthew 7:21: Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (emphasis mine). Listen to what Paul said: God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. There is no better person to be in total control. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. 7 Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, Michigan: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of God's character is that He is a loving Father to all believers ( Ephesians 1:2; Galatians 1:1; Colossians 1:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:3 ). Not only are we saints who are set apart as holy, but we must now seek practical holiness in our daily lives. In what events in Scripture do we see Gods wrath? When we think of God's omniscience, we often . When Adam sinned, he was kicked out of the garden, kicked out of the presence of God. We see this with children who are often bad kids. Hebrews 12:6 unpacks this reality. Most Christians are not equipped. In the same way holiness, being set apart, is a primary characteristic of God, it has now become a primary characteristic of every believer. Loves The Lord. It is always seeking the best course of action for the other person and for ourselves. Who was in control? Scripture does not say, For God so loved the world that he felt all gushy inside. No, he so loved that he gave his only Son. The Attributes of God All rights reserved. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.Philippians 1:910, A person can love anything, even something that is bad for them. Paul said this: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). Holiness is a word that essentially means set apart and is closely connected to his righteousness. It says the wrath of God is being revealed. In what ways should Christians demonstrate Gods wrath? Much of it can be attributed to not living and abiding in Gods Word. Gods love is a giving love that provides for his people. He did not wait for us to clean ourselves up and to ask for forgiveness before he loved us. Pray that Christians would faithfully pray over these issues (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and get involved as God leads (Matt 5:13). Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit - Wikipedia Gods very natureislove (1 John 4:8), so when we seek to define love, there is only one place we should go:Him! It is important so we can worship him and serve him properly. Obey God. It lasts because it is an act of the will. Insofar as we come to know God in and through his actions and words as recorded . We know that word as. If you are ever fearful that His love for you is not perfect enough, cling to the promise that perfect love casts out fear(1 John 4:18). For this reason, the doctrine of the sovereignty of God gives Christians great confidence since nothing happens outside of his control. God's offer to renew His Covenant with His people. It wasbecause the LORD loved you. Surely, the love of God does not live in a man such as this. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth., 1) The Spirit of the LORD
Those who know Gods will and do not obey it, will have a greater judgment and those who dont know Gods will and disobey, will have a less strict judgment. We make choices every day, and if we sin, we are to blame. Listen to what Paul says: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. That is not love; love is practical. Other versions include English Standard Version, New Living Translation, and King James Version. The believer honors the Sovereign Lord who has bought us and gladly submits to Him ( 2 Peter 2:1; James 4:7; Jude 1:4 ). The mystery is in how these two truths can coexist. Wayne Grudems comments are helpful: In this way it is possible to affirm that in one sense events are fully (100 percent) caused by God and fully (100 percent) caused by the creature as well. It is here one day and gone tomorrow, but that is not what Scripture teaches us about true love. Since love is a difficult concept to define, Grudems comments are helpful. He says: Gods love means that God eternally gives of himself to others. Often love can lead us into things that are unhealthy for us and others, but agape love is a wise love. I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets, he said. (emphasis mine). If he closes the door for something, surely, it is out of love because he wants the best for us. That is why God calls us saints, set apart ones. Very close to Gods holiness is his wrath. How amazing is His love? This means that it is impossible to truly know what love is unless we know God for he epitomizes love. Revelation 1:45, John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ . Listen to what Paul said: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (emphasis mine) (2 Tim 3:1617). However we understand Gods relationship to evil, we must never come to the point where we think that we are not responsible for the evil that we do, or that God takes pleasure in evil or is to be blamed for it. Sometimes, in order to teach a child, a parent will allow his son or daughter to experience the consequences of disobedience. I will love you if you do not cheat on me. The brothers who are with me send greetings. Although they know Gods righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. In the Old Testament, God set up a sacrificial system to teach man about something called substitution. Affection was a physical word for the stomach or bowels. What is the character of God? Go and do it. So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. Those who have truly been saved and set apart will do the will of the Father. He also was calling for his brothers to take comfort in Gods sovereignty, as he used even their bad intentions for good. I will love you as long as you treat me well, but when you fail me, were done. However, we cheat on God all the time. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. God is in control of disasters. What did Christ mean by "God is spirit"? When you think of the cast of characters in Scripture who sinned and yet were still loved by God, you can see how His love for you will never change even when you stumble and sin as a believer. 1. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Our attitude must be the same as Christ. (emphasis mine). Here are a few. But a true monarchy is not a democracy where people get to choose. The fact that God does not change his mind, his characteristics, his plan, or anything else is a security better than any earthly insurance for it . Romans 3:2526. However, we also must discern when to be righteously angry. No! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, Why did you make me like this? Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:1921. This is what Psalm 115:3 says: Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him (emphasis mine). (emphasis mine)Revelation 6:1517. True love is sacrificial. Character of God. As we read the chapter, it tells us about how God allows people to practice idolatry, sexual immorality, homosexuality, and all types of other sin. Wisdom: God always wills the highest purposes and the proper means to achieve those purposes for his own glory and his people's blessing. 3 Tony Evans. Alright! (1) God, as person, is the "I am who I am" designated in Exodus 3:14. He says, without holiness, no one will see God. However, the sacrificial animal could never take away the sins of the world; it was only a symbol of a future reality.