I recently heard someone say how it is possible for two things to be true at once. Although they were referring to a completely different topic it made me think about God and how a lot of times we forget that all of His attributes work together in perfect harmony.
For example a lot of people believe that God is all love but not just and angry at sin. Then on the other side we hear about how God is angry but forget that He is also merciful, slow to anger and patient. When we distort God's attributes and character we present to people a false God that isn't of the Bible. This can be very dangerous and very hard not to do but it is absolutely necessary.
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” Exodus 34:6-7
I recently decided to take some time to learn about God's attributes. For someone like me who comes from a legalistic background it has been extremely difficult for me to navigate and understand God's love, grace and mercy. Grace is a concept that still stumbles me. Believing that I had to and could earn His love by my good deeds have left me many of times discouraged and disappointed. Understanding that Jesus came to fulfill the law and to save me from my sins and apart from that I could never earn it has enlightened my faith so much these past few years.
I will write more later on my conversion story but to stay on topic like I stated before I recently sought out scripture and bible resources that spoke of God's character for better understanding. I wanted to share a few of the attributes of God that have challenged and grown my faith in hopes that it will encourage you and do the same.
I came across a Bible plan on the Bible app titled "The Character and attributes of the Godhead" by Julie Gossack. It's a 31 day Bible plan that goes over different attributes of God per day. Here are a few that Julie highlighted that stuck out the most for me:
God is sovereign.
God rules the entire universe. His perfect plans and purposes are always accomplished and can never be thwarted by anyone or anything, including evil. His supreme rule is always consistent with the totality of His divine character.
Job 42:2 I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.
Daniel 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’
God is Holy.
God is unlike His creation. He is set apart and altogether different from anyone or anything. There is no one like Him.
Exodus 15:11 Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”
Revelation 4:8 And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night saying, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD GOD, ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME.”
God is righteous.
All that God is and all that He does are consistent with the purity of His divine nature. He is infinite in moral perfection, never doing wrong or evil. Nothing He does is outside His goodness and justice.
Psalm 11:7 For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.
Psalm 33:4-5 For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
Psalm 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.
God is loving.
God loves. Love is the very essence of His being; He is love. It is His nature to desire the highest good for His creation. His unfailing love is displayed in word and deed and was ultimately demonstrated by His provision of salvation for His beloved. (Thank you Jesus ♡)
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
I John 3:1a, 4:8-9 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. (4:8-9) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
God is wrathful.
God is angry at sin. All sin directly opposes His moral perfection and therefore must be punished. Jesus suffered God’s wrath while on the cross, although mankind justly deserves this wrath. (Thank you Jesus ♡)
Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not be able to abide His indignation.
Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
God is Longsuffering.
God is not given to hasty anger. Instead, He is patiently enduring toward people, giving them all opportunity to turn toward His ways.
Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
God is good.
God’s nature and very essence are entirely good, and He always acts in accordance with His goodness. His works are always beneficial for His creation. God never does wrong, nor does He mistreat His creation through evil or injustice; He always does good.
Psalm 31:19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You, in the presence of the sons of men!
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who trust in Him.
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I highly recommend this Bible plan. It's designed to be completed in a 31 day span and is easy to follow through. I enjoyed it a lot and I'm sure I will continue to look back on it in the future. For more resources by Julie and to find a printout please visit
https://gbcmt.org/womens-ministries/#kardiology101
Thanks for reading ♡