Theology Proper (attributes of God part 2)

This week will be short because last week was a little heavy, and next week is going to be an absolute slog. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

God is holy; meaning He is morally perfect, upright, and good. Best described by the tri-hagion (3 uses of the Greek word for Holy) of Isaiah 6:3, this is a unique characteristic of God, meaning no one else gets to say they are holy (Exodus 15:11, 1 Samuel 2:2, Isaiah 57:15). Holiness just doesn’t mean goodness, but is an innate moral character of God; God does not get called perfect because He does perfect things—He does perfect things because He is perfect. This distinction is true of the other attributes of God we will discuss.

God is just and right; meaning He possess perfect justice and righteousness. In other words, His law is good (Luke 16:17) and accomplishes what it was set forth to do (1 Timothy 1:8 – 11).

God is faithful and true. I won’t spend a lot of time explaining this because if you want an example, just read your Old Testament. As you read, track the promises God gives, and pay attention to the things He predicts. Then track the time between when they are given and when they are fulfilled; you will see a God who does not lose track of what He is doing (His creation is not like your car keys or glasses), and does not fail in bringing about what He wishes.

God is: loving, gracious, merciful, and persistent. My goodness that list escalated quickly; yes, yes it did. The reason for this is simple: if you would like proof of those things; read your New Testament (specifically the Gospels) and notice what God does for sinners who hate Him versus what you think He should do for/to them. The difference between what we think He should do and what He does is the proof of those attributes.

So what?!?? You said this stuff was going to be important to my life!!!!!
All the stuff we mentioned last week is great and wonderful, but would be terrifying if the attributes of this week were not so. Imagine and all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present being who never changes and cannot be defeated or destroyed; who is evil. It is literally the stuff of science fiction, like Darth Vader on steroids plus some. Instead, because of God’s holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, love, mercy, and grace; those other things are not scary but comforting. He knows us, loves us, cares for us, and is doing what is best by us. Rather than be a nightmare, the God of Scripture is the greatest thing we could ever hope to be and receive.