-to the
only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus
Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever-more! Amen. Jude 1:25 (NIV)
It is my observation that most humans seem to be in love with love. It is the same here in the South where I live. Love is the cure all and the answer to every reality, but if we love something, can love ever be wrong?
According to
God’s word, love is especially given to represent His character and nature. To
love outside of that can lead to misrepresentation of His character and attributes.
Yes, while God is love He cannot love sin which is contrary to His nature and
complete holiness. He has carefully laid out a moral compass for us to follow in
Scripture, detailing what He loves and abhors. He commands us to be in
tune regarding His nature and character and to compare any question we have
about an issue against His attributes. As Scripture so rightly professes there
is a way that seems right to us but can end in ruin (Proverbs 14:12). So, how
can we know?
A serious
word study on the character of God can have an encouraging and stabilizing
effect on our walk with Him. When confronted by God’s character, as He exists in His perfect, and divine sentient Being, then we can be sure that what we know what His nature reveals of His will, a will that rightly directs us to love the things
He truly loves.
In future
devotional thoughts, I will be sharing the major attributes of God’s image and
character. These are attributes that ought to be dynamically shaping our own
characters in a godly manner, for we were created to be sharers of this image (Gen. 1:26).
I want to begin with His Eternality. He has no beginning,
but has always existed (Revelation 1:8, 4:8). This attribute surely sets Him
apart with no equal.
One of the most
amazing things in considering the eternality of God is how important we are to
Him. Because God is all-knowing (omniscient) you have been on His mind
and in His thoughts for all eternity past.
God says, “I
make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to
come. I say ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please,’” (Isaiah
46:10).
God’s
eternal life spring means He remains unchanging throughout all eternity, as
will His Son Christ Jesus (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). Who else could be totally
trustworthy otherwise? A God who wears out and perishes is just a god, and all
the gods of the nations are idols (Psalm 96:5), but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and
majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His dwelling place (1st
Chronicles 16:26-27).
He is the only One you can put your full trust and hope in. His invisible attributes, namely
His eternal power and divine nature, are evident and clearly understood (Romans
1:20). They will continually shine like the Son (Mark 9:2-4, Revelation 1:16).
Next week,
does God want to be known for His love first, or His holiness? The answer may
surprise you. I hope to see you then as we continue our look at the attributes
of the One, True and Living God.
Now may
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace believing, so that by the power
of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).
Maranatha,
Ken
