God is not like a person who conveys, "Do as I say but not as I do." He is not like a parent who needs to apologise after doing or saying something they forbid of their children. He is utterly consistent in His righteousness and purity. His holiness reaches infinitely beyond our ability to ascertain, and He says truly of Himself: "I am the LORD; I change not."
Romans 1:31 sums up the condition of a sinner worthy of death with five words which are the antithesis of the of character of God: "undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful." Having established His throne on righteousness, God is the source and sustainer of all life. God is discerning, knowing all things. He is absolutely trustworthy for He cannot tell a lie. God is loving, demonstrating this reality by sending Jesus Christ to save sinners. He is forgiving, a quality not found in men who nurse grudges and remember wrongs done against them. He also delights to show mercy because He is merciful. This is the God who was, is, and is to come. He is our Creator and divine sovereign who is worthy to be worshipped and praised.
Though we have all been undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful, we sinners can be born again and sanctified by the grace of God. The wickedness which marked our lives we cannot undo, yet God can make us new with a clean slate. Because of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, our thoughts, motives, and ability to perceive spiritual truth begins to align more with His. Naturally in us there is no good thing (Romans 7:18), and thus any attribute deemed good has been gifted by God to us. How we need Him, and may we do more than appreciate Him: let us praise Him, exalt Him, and honour Him now and forever.
Romans 1:31 sums up the condition of a sinner worthy of death with five words which are the antithesis of the of character of God: "undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful." Having established His throne on righteousness, God is the source and sustainer of all life. God is discerning, knowing all things. He is absolutely trustworthy for He cannot tell a lie. God is loving, demonstrating this reality by sending Jesus Christ to save sinners. He is forgiving, a quality not found in men who nurse grudges and remember wrongs done against them. He also delights to show mercy because He is merciful. This is the God who was, is, and is to come. He is our Creator and divine sovereign who is worthy to be worshipped and praised.
Though we have all been undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful, we sinners can be born again and sanctified by the grace of God. The wickedness which marked our lives we cannot undo, yet God can make us new with a clean slate. Because of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, our thoughts, motives, and ability to perceive spiritual truth begins to align more with His. Naturally in us there is no good thing (Romans 7:18), and thus any attribute deemed good has been gifted by God to us. How we need Him, and may we do more than appreciate Him: let us praise Him, exalt Him, and honour Him now and forever.
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