The character of GOD
To understand the gospel, we must understand something about God. God is not an impersonal force or energy all around us, but the personal creator and Lord of all (Genesis 1). The bible teaches us that the only true God exists as a Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17). There are 3 distinct persons who are distinguishable from one another and yet they are one being, not three (John 10:30-33). They share the one divine essence with the same divine qualities, because of these qualities, which make God uniquely Himself...the Lord requires a sacrifice for sin if sinners are to be saved. To see the need for Christ's death, therefore, we must know more about the triune God.
God is love...
The bible teaches us that God is love (1 John 4:8) and that His love moves Him to freely and selflessly give Himself to others for their good. We must understand that God's love is much more than an attitude, emotion or something He does. Instead that love is an attribute of God, His very being. God not only loves...He is love. He is the essence of what love is, and all true love flows from Him as its ultimate source. Words such as benevolence, mercy, grace and patience are often associated with the love of God. Regardless of what we may think or may be told...the bible is the unwavering testimony that God is love.
God is holy...
The bible teaches us that God is holy (Isaiah 6:3). The word holy means holy, sacred, consecrated, set apart as dedicated to God. It has 2 important meanings in regard to God...first it means that God is above all and is distinct from every created being. Regardless of all their magnificence, all other being's whether in heaven or on earth are just creatures. God alone is God...separate, transcendent and incomparable. Second, the holiness of God means that He is above and separated from the moral corruption of His creation and all that immoral and sinful. God cannot sin, cannot take pleasure in sin and cannot have fellowship with sin.
God is righteous...
The word "righteous" tells us of the moral excellence of God. According to the bible, God is an absolutely righteous being and always acts perfectly consistent with who He is. His works, decrees and judgments are perfect. The righteousness of God doesn't only describe His character, but also His relationship with His creation...especially humanity. The bible teaches us that He revealed His will to all people through His creation (Romans 1:20, 32) and through their consciences (Romans 2:14-16) Through the bible (His word) He has clearly revealed Himself (Psalm 19:7-11). There will come a day when God passes judgement on everyone according to the strictest standards of justice and fairness, rewarding the good and punishing the evil. We must recognize that God's judgement of man is not unwarranted, but a consequence of His righteous character, moreover a God who would refuse to judge wickedness would not be loving, good or righteous.
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