God\'s Character

5 Pages 1278 Words

Ever since God’s relationship with man was twisted by the fall of Adam and Eve, people who believe in God have been trying to create an accurate understanding of what He is really like. Countless books and sermons have tried to portray his character, and there is perhaps no topic that is more widely disputed. God is eternal, omnipresent, wise, all-knowing, powerful, holy, good, sovereign, patient, and the list could go on and on. Although God is unchanging, people’s opinions of Him are constantly shifting, sometimes towards deeper understanding and sometimes towards ignorance. In modern times the thin spectrum of modern US culture that recognizes God emphasizes love but forgets holiness, the reformed circle stresses sovereignty but can downplay immanence, and in my personal life I often find myself paying more attention to God’s goodness and patience but not enough to his omniscience and wisdom.
In modern North America, especially the United States, the general community has become wrapped up in political correctness and tolerance. It is becoming increasingly difficult to suggest that God would send someone to hell unless they have led a very sinful life. Most would rather avoid stepping on people’s toes by emphasizing God’s Love. Verses such as John 3:16 and 1 John 4:8 which say, “For God so loved the world…” and “…God is Love.” Are widely known even among non-Christians. It is very true that our God is a God of grace and forgiveness, but one must not forget that He is a holy God as well.
God’s holiness and more specifically his justness are forgotten to a frightful degree in today’s day and age. The day in which people heeded the words of pastors such as Jonathan Edwards are gone, and most people rationalize away God’s wrath by saying that if God is truly holy, then his mercy will overshadow his justness. R.C. Sproul suggests differently saying, “If God is holy at all, if God has an ounce of j...