The Nature of God
Who is God? What is he like? A discussion of the nature of the God of the Bible could emphasize several of his many aspects. We could discuss such characteristics as his omnipotence, his omniscience, or his faithfulness. These are important ones which have imposing implications for the way that one lives his life, and actually we have already touched on these somewhat. God is eternal, unchangeable, self-existent, self-sufficient, infinite, transcendent, sovereign, longsuffering, wise, good, truthful, and jealous. However, we choose to briefly discuss now other considerations of God’s nature that are especially important in understanding Christian theology. (For further study we recommend a book by J. I. Packer entitled Knowing God.)
1. God is holy
The word holy (or holiness) is used hundreds of times in Scripture to describe God. For a sense of it, please look up these passages:
Read Exodus 3:5, 15:11, 19:23; 1 Chronicles 16:29; 2 Chronicles 20:21; Psalm 29:2; Psalm 93:5; Psalm 96:9; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 29:23; Isaiah 40:25; Revelation 4:8; and Revelation 15:4.
The concept of the holiness of God is a rather comprehensive notion. Some synonyms are that God is distinct, upright, true, and unique. It suggests God’s perfection. It is also closely associated with his righteousness and being set apart from the common. The Bible says man should be in awe of God’s holiness! God is awesome. As put by Rev. D. James Kennedy, “The very foundation of his throne was holiness, and no sin would ever come into his presence without his inevitably consuming it with his wrath.” God plays for keeps, and we should tremble before him. Those people who would make up a God to suit their own image are pursuing a false god. Read such passages as: Job 34:10; Psalm 2:4-6; Psalm 7:11; Psalm 11:5; Psalm 89:46; Psalm 90:11; Ezekiel 36:16-21; Hosea 5:10; Zephaniah 3:6-8; Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5-11; Romans 9:22-24; Revelation 16:19. Now read Isaiah 6:1-8.
Pretty scary stuff, right? In the last passage, Isaiah 6:1-8, please note a couple of things. While this passage is written in descriptive form that may seem surreal or symbolic, it is set in the context of actual history (6:1). Here Isaiah gets a glimpse of God. What Isaiah notices is how holy God is—so much so that he repeats the word in a chant—“holy, holy, holy” (6:3). The realization for Isaiah is this—that the difference between the Creator and the created is so distinct that Isaiah can only say that he is “undone” or “ruined” or “lost” (depending on which translation of the Bible you are reading). The result for Isaiah in this realization is that he can do nothing else but submit to God’s will. “Here I am. Send Me!” exclaims Isaiah. Anyone who begins to understand who God is will realize how weak we are in his sight.
Read Exodus 3:5, 15:11, 19:23; 1 Chronicles 16:29; 2 Chronicles 20:21; Psalm 29:2; Psalm 93:5; Psalm 96:9; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 29:23; Isaiah 40:25; Revelation 4:8; and Revelation 15:4.
The concept of the holiness of God is a rather comprehensive notion. Some synonyms are that God is distinct, upright, true, and unique. It suggests God’s perfection. It is also closely associated with his righteousness and being set apart from the common. The Bible says man should be in awe of God’s holiness! God is awesome. As put by Rev. D. James Kennedy, “The very foundation of his throne was holiness, and no sin would ever come into his presence without his inevitably consuming it with his wrath.” God plays for keeps, and we should tremble before him. Those people who would make up a God to suit their own image are pursuing a false god. Read such passages as: Job 34:10; Psalm 2:4-6; Psalm 7:11; Psalm 11:5; Psalm 89:46; Psalm 90:11; Ezekiel 36:16-21; Hosea 5:10; Zephaniah 3:6-8; Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5-11; Romans 9:22-24; Revelation 16:19. Now read Isaiah 6:1-8.
Pretty scary stuff, right? In the last passage, Isaiah 6:1-8, please note a couple of things. While this passage is written in descriptive form that may seem surreal or symbolic, it is set in the context of actual history (6:1). Here Isaiah gets a glimpse of God. What Isaiah notices is how holy God is—so much so that he repeats the word in a chant—“holy, holy, holy” (6:3). The realization for Isaiah is this—that the difference between the Creator and the created is so distinct that Isaiah can only say that he is “undone” or “ruined” or “lost” (depending on which translation of the Bible you are reading). The result for Isaiah in this realization is that he can do nothing else but submit to God’s will. “Here I am. Send Me!” exclaims Isaiah. Anyone who begins to understand who God is will realize how weak we are in his sight.
2. God is just
Read Deuteronomy 32:3-4. Many people in our culture have this idea about God that he is just some wishy-washy grandfather in the sky. Who knows where they get this idea; it is certainly not in the Bible! It seems that people make up their own God, perhaps out of ignorance, but more likely out of a desire to live by their own standards rather than God’s. Worshipping one's own invented god is the sin of idolatry (Second Commandment)—a very serious offense.
We included the book of Jeremiah in our study to show a very important aspect of God—his justice. To some readers, God might seem pretty harsh from reading the passages from Jeremiah and other Old Testament books. But it is crucial for us to understand that God is just. God’s holiness dictates that he cannot just wink at sin.
God himself says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11). Yet the people in the Old Testament who were punished, often with their lives, were guilty. For example, Jeremiah points out that the Jewish people were guilty of horrible crimes, even sacrificing their own children (Jeremiah 7:30-34)—a practice specifically prohibited (Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 18:10-14).
God insists on allegiance, which does not seem unreasonable given that he created us. A god who is not just and holy is not worthy of our worship. But a God who is both just and holy demands our worship.
We included the book of Jeremiah in our study to show a very important aspect of God—his justice. To some readers, God might seem pretty harsh from reading the passages from Jeremiah and other Old Testament books. But it is crucial for us to understand that God is just. God’s holiness dictates that he cannot just wink at sin.
God himself says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11). Yet the people in the Old Testament who were punished, often with their lives, were guilty. For example, Jeremiah points out that the Jewish people were guilty of horrible crimes, even sacrificing their own children (Jeremiah 7:30-34)—a practice specifically prohibited (Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 18:10-14).
God insists on allegiance, which does not seem unreasonable given that he created us. A god who is not just and holy is not worthy of our worship. But a God who is both just and holy demands our worship.
3. God is merciful
On the other hand, God is also merciful. (Read Micah 7:18-20.) As we will see later, while God ordered the destruction of entire nations, he holds out that individuals can gloriously spend eternal life with him in heaven if they do not reject him. There is much violence in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. But this violence is mitigated by God’s eternal promises and blessings.
Returning to the book of Jeremiah, God promises mercy by restoring Israel after punishing them. According to the NIV Study Bible (page 1117), “God’s judgment of his people (and the nations), though terrible, was not to be the last word, the final work of God in history. Mercy and covenant faithfulness would triumph. Beyond the judgment would come restoration and renewal. Israel would be restored, the nations that crushed her would be crushed, and the old covenants (with Israel, David and the Levites) would be honored. God would make a new covenant with his people in whom he would write his law on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34) and thus consecrate them to his service.”
Returning to the book of Jeremiah, God promises mercy by restoring Israel after punishing them. According to the NIV Study Bible (page 1117), “God’s judgment of his people (and the nations), though terrible, was not to be the last word, the final work of God in history. Mercy and covenant faithfulness would triumph. Beyond the judgment would come restoration and renewal. Israel would be restored, the nations that crushed her would be crushed, and the old covenants (with Israel, David and the Levites) would be honored. God would make a new covenant with his people in whom he would write his law on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34) and thus consecrate them to his service.”
4. God is loving
The Bible says that “God is love.” Read 1 John 4:7-11
The theological question is how is it possible for God to mete out sometimes harsh punishment and still be considered a loving being? The answer comes in Jesus Christ. The fact that God is both perfectly just and completely loving is resolved by his sending his only son to suffer and die for the sins of the world. John 3:16 says,
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Read also Psalm 103:8; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1-7; and Colossians 1:13-14. It is Jesus who delivers us from the wrath that otherwise should be (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
The theological question is how is it possible for God to mete out sometimes harsh punishment and still be considered a loving being? The answer comes in Jesus Christ. The fact that God is both perfectly just and completely loving is resolved by his sending his only son to suffer and die for the sins of the world. John 3:16 says,
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Read also Psalm 103:8; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1-7; and Colossians 1:13-14. It is Jesus who delivers us from the wrath that otherwise should be (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
5. God is personal
Finally, in addition to the other aspects of God, a key understanding that Christians have about God is that he is personal. The word personal is used sometimes almost as God’s first name, as you often hear the term the “personal God of the Bible.”
This personal aspect of God’s nature refers to his accessibility and his continual interaction with people. It is a distinctly different picture of God than one gets from non-biblical world religions. God wants us to have a relationship with him. You can see this in many of the passages we have already explored. He is not just a great grandfather in the sky. He is intimately involved in our daily lives! We definitely have access to him!
The Bible teaches that God is a friend to those who love him! God humbled himself by revealing himself through Jesus. In this way, God could relate to us humans in a way that we can grasp. Here are just a couple passages out of many that you can read in the context of God as an approachable friend: Psalm 23; Philippians 2:5-8.
There are many more passages that will give you comfort that God is close and available. Especially if you are hurting at this time, you may benefit from these passages: Psalm 32:8-11; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 46:1-3; Psalm 107:19; Proverbs 16:9; Isaiah 40:27-31; Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 46:4; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 11:9-12; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Philippians 4:13; 1 Peter 5:7, and Revelation 3:20.
This personal aspect of God’s nature refers to his accessibility and his continual interaction with people. It is a distinctly different picture of God than one gets from non-biblical world religions. God wants us to have a relationship with him. You can see this in many of the passages we have already explored. He is not just a great grandfather in the sky. He is intimately involved in our daily lives! We definitely have access to him!
The Bible teaches that God is a friend to those who love him! God humbled himself by revealing himself through Jesus. In this way, God could relate to us humans in a way that we can grasp. Here are just a couple passages out of many that you can read in the context of God as an approachable friend: Psalm 23; Philippians 2:5-8.
There are many more passages that will give you comfort that God is close and available. Especially if you are hurting at this time, you may benefit from these passages: Psalm 32:8-11; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 46:1-3; Psalm 107:19; Proverbs 16:9; Isaiah 40:27-31; Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 46:4; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 11:9-12; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Philippians 4:13; 1 Peter 5:7, and Revelation 3:20.
The Nature of Man
Biblical theology can be summed up by saying that God is holy and we are not. When we catch a glimpse of the holiness of God, we begin to see just how far we humans fall short of that standard. While we have already given some passages to convey the idea that man is sinful, we would like to explore this even further. It is crucial to understand this truth in order to understand Christianity. It is because of the depth of our sin that it was necessary for Christ to come to redeem us from our sin.
Read Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21; 1 Kings 8:46; Job 14:1-4; Job 25:2-6; Psalm 14; Psalm 51:3-5; Psalm 53:1-3; Psalm 58:3-5; Psalm 143:1-2; Proverbs 14:12; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 55:8-9; Isaiah 59:2; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Daniel 9:1-11; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:9-23; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 7:13-25; Romans 8:5-8; Romans 14:23; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 2:10-11; 1 John 1:8-10.
We don’t necessarily need someone to tell us that we sin. We have a self-awareness of our own sin because we’ve been created by God with a conscience that has a sense of right and wrong—an innate moral code. For example, in every culture murder is wrong. Why? Because God has written a moral code on our hearts that all human life is sacred.
Yet, there are those who insist that either sin does not exist, or that it does not matter. They say that, “That is just the way we are.” Statements like that are first of all naïve. We only have to examine ourselves to see that we are selfish, selfish, selfish. Nobody wakes up every morning with the thought, “How can I help all the people of the world who need help today?” Face it. We wake up with thoughts of our own problems and how we can serve ourselves. We want to make our own throne and sit on it.
We do not whole heartedly seek God. Our thinking is distorted; our emotions and desires are unruly and misdirected. Man is carnal; he has corrupt affections; his will is stubborn. In this condition we are bent on rebellion. As put by Arnold Kuntz in his Prayers for Worship:
There is a tedious struggle within us, for our instincts and desires war against the ways that you would have us follow. Were you not the active agent in our Christian lives, how self-serving and how wicked we would be. Our inclinations run to lust, our motives tend toward envy. Our aims are self-indulgent. Forgive us for Jesus’ sake, and lead us out of darkness into light.
We mortals are not as bad as we could be—even Hitler had some positive traits. Yet every aspect of our being is tainted by sin. It affects our body, our capacity to think rationally without bias, indeed our whole self is infected with sin. Sin penetrates to the core. As Jesus said in Mark 7:20-23 sin comes from the heart, the very center of our existence. It is not, as some say, peripheral or incidental to mankind. The evidence from all of history cries out to the fact of man’s sinful nature.
Read Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21; 1 Kings 8:46; Job 14:1-4; Job 25:2-6; Psalm 14; Psalm 51:3-5; Psalm 53:1-3; Psalm 58:3-5; Psalm 143:1-2; Proverbs 14:12; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 55:8-9; Isaiah 59:2; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Daniel 9:1-11; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:9-23; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 7:13-25; Romans 8:5-8; Romans 14:23; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 2:10-11; 1 John 1:8-10.
We don’t necessarily need someone to tell us that we sin. We have a self-awareness of our own sin because we’ve been created by God with a conscience that has a sense of right and wrong—an innate moral code. For example, in every culture murder is wrong. Why? Because God has written a moral code on our hearts that all human life is sacred.
Yet, there are those who insist that either sin does not exist, or that it does not matter. They say that, “That is just the way we are.” Statements like that are first of all naïve. We only have to examine ourselves to see that we are selfish, selfish, selfish. Nobody wakes up every morning with the thought, “How can I help all the people of the world who need help today?” Face it. We wake up with thoughts of our own problems and how we can serve ourselves. We want to make our own throne and sit on it.
We do not whole heartedly seek God. Our thinking is distorted; our emotions and desires are unruly and misdirected. Man is carnal; he has corrupt affections; his will is stubborn. In this condition we are bent on rebellion. As put by Arnold Kuntz in his Prayers for Worship:
There is a tedious struggle within us, for our instincts and desires war against the ways that you would have us follow. Were you not the active agent in our Christian lives, how self-serving and how wicked we would be. Our inclinations run to lust, our motives tend toward envy. Our aims are self-indulgent. Forgive us for Jesus’ sake, and lead us out of darkness into light.
We mortals are not as bad as we could be—even Hitler had some positive traits. Yet every aspect of our being is tainted by sin. It affects our body, our capacity to think rationally without bias, indeed our whole self is infected with sin. Sin penetrates to the core. As Jesus said in Mark 7:20-23 sin comes from the heart, the very center of our existence. It is not, as some say, peripheral or incidental to mankind. The evidence from all of history cries out to the fact of man’s sinful nature.
Evangelist Ray Comfort (http://www.livingwaters.com/) uses a series of questions using the Ten Commandments like the following to get people to see their sin. He first asks, “How many lies have you told in your life?” (Most will acknowledge many.) He then asks, “What does that make you?” (Most will admit that it makes them a liar.) He then asks, “Have you ever cheated or stolen anything at all?” (The honest person will normally again will say yes.) He then focuses on adultery and points out how Jesus taught that it is a sin to commit adultery even in one’s heart through lust (Matthew 5:28), the inner instincts being just as important as the external. Ray then asks, “Have you ever lusted after someone?” (Most say yes, of course.)
Ray then summarizes with, “Then you have just admitted that you are a lying, stealing, adulterer at heart!” If we are honest, we must admit that on examination, we are in fact all lying, stealing, adulterers at heart. And this covers only three of the Ten Commandments!
Go back to the Ten Commandments and look at each one honestly. The First is “Have no other gods besides Me.” Do you ever put something higher than God on your priority list—sports, money, fun, sex, or whatever? If so, that “something” may even have become a god to you. Everyone has false gods that they worship. Just track the trail of your life—how you spend your time, your money, your thoughts—will lead one to the throne of the gods you worship.
The Second is not to make any "graven image." Have you ever decided to ignore what the Bible says about God, inventing a God to suit yourself? For example, some people may say, "My God would never send anyone to hell." Of course, in a sense they are correct because their God does not exist. He is a figment of their imagination.
Do you ever blaspheme the name of God (Third Commandment)? Please do not take this commandment lightly. This is quite serious.
Do you ever fail to honor the Sabbath day (Fourth Commandment)? You do, don’t you? Have you ever failed to honor your father or mother (Fifth Commandment)?
The Bible says (1 John 3:15) that whoever hates his brother is a murderer (Sixth Commandment). Do you ever have the feeling of hatred? Then you have broken the Sixth Commandment. Hatred and lust are where murder and adultery begin.
Speaking personally, the writers of this study lesson are guilty of being angry, unloving, unaffirming, inconsiderate and too often have said unwarranted things even toward those people closest to us. We only have to look at ourselves honestly to see how far away we are from God’s standard of unconditional love toward others. Can you acknowledge the same?
Have you ever failed to pay a bill on time, costing your creditor interest on his money? Fudged here and there on taxes or elsewhere? Downloaded music illegally? Then you have stolen (Eighth Commandment). What does that make you? A thief, right?
Are you ever guilty of gossiping—saying things about someone else that tear down that person or which may not be entirely true? You are breaking the Ninth Commandment when you do that.
Or have you ever coveted after something, or felt jealousy? Then you have broken the Tenth Commandment. This commandment alone should force the honest seeker to his knees.
You may say, “Well, I’m just human. Everyone does these things.” But remember this. Every sin is a sin against God. It is less a matter of how great our sins are than the greatness of whom we sin against! Some people may deny their sin, thinking that sin only means murder or adultery. But sin is much more than these big and obvious sins. It is self-centeredness. If narcissism is the curse of the earth, Jesus is the antidote. Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone around you loved perfectly?
Ray then summarizes with, “Then you have just admitted that you are a lying, stealing, adulterer at heart!” If we are honest, we must admit that on examination, we are in fact all lying, stealing, adulterers at heart. And this covers only three of the Ten Commandments!
Go back to the Ten Commandments and look at each one honestly. The First is “Have no other gods besides Me.” Do you ever put something higher than God on your priority list—sports, money, fun, sex, or whatever? If so, that “something” may even have become a god to you. Everyone has false gods that they worship. Just track the trail of your life—how you spend your time, your money, your thoughts—will lead one to the throne of the gods you worship.
The Second is not to make any "graven image." Have you ever decided to ignore what the Bible says about God, inventing a God to suit yourself? For example, some people may say, "My God would never send anyone to hell." Of course, in a sense they are correct because their God does not exist. He is a figment of their imagination.
Do you ever blaspheme the name of God (Third Commandment)? Please do not take this commandment lightly. This is quite serious.
Do you ever fail to honor the Sabbath day (Fourth Commandment)? You do, don’t you? Have you ever failed to honor your father or mother (Fifth Commandment)?
The Bible says (1 John 3:15) that whoever hates his brother is a murderer (Sixth Commandment). Do you ever have the feeling of hatred? Then you have broken the Sixth Commandment. Hatred and lust are where murder and adultery begin.
Speaking personally, the writers of this study lesson are guilty of being angry, unloving, unaffirming, inconsiderate and too often have said unwarranted things even toward those people closest to us. We only have to look at ourselves honestly to see how far away we are from God’s standard of unconditional love toward others. Can you acknowledge the same?
Have you ever failed to pay a bill on time, costing your creditor interest on his money? Fudged here and there on taxes or elsewhere? Downloaded music illegally? Then you have stolen (Eighth Commandment). What does that make you? A thief, right?
Are you ever guilty of gossiping—saying things about someone else that tear down that person or which may not be entirely true? You are breaking the Ninth Commandment when you do that.
Or have you ever coveted after something, or felt jealousy? Then you have broken the Tenth Commandment. This commandment alone should force the honest seeker to his knees.
You may say, “Well, I’m just human. Everyone does these things.” But remember this. Every sin is a sin against God. It is less a matter of how great our sins are than the greatness of whom we sin against! Some people may deny their sin, thinking that sin only means murder or adultery. But sin is much more than these big and obvious sins. It is self-centeredness. If narcissism is the curse of the earth, Jesus is the antidote. Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone around you loved perfectly?
Other questions that can be asked of ourselves that reveal who we really are include: Have you done everything Jesus would have done? Have you always done everything you ought to have done? In fact, sin is not simply the result of a decision to do a bad thing; it is the result of failing to make a decision to do a good thing. (Read James 4:17.)
Are you always a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9)? Do you ever lose your patience (Galatians 5:22)? Do you ever fail to exhibit self-control (Galatians 5:23)? Have you ever been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Do you ever waste anything (John 6:12)? Or be arrogant, quick-tempered, or drunk (Titus 1:7). How about, do you ever do emotional injury to another person—or its opposite, the failure to build someone up? Or feel contemptuous toward another person? Or do you ever harbor partiality toward others (James 2:1-9)? If you are a parent, have you adequately inculcated the ways of God to your children (Deuteronomy 11:18-21; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4)? Do you tend to retaliate or nurse grudges (Matthew 5:38-42)?
In order to show us how far we are from God’s standard, Jesus told us that we must be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). The Bible says that if we have broken even one item of the law, we are guilty of breaking the entire law (James 2:10). You may say, “That’s not fair!” But consider this, if a person goes into a store a hundred times and does not steal anything, but one time does steal something, is he guilty or innocent? The law considers him guilty! But the sinfulness of man goes even deeper than that. We sin every day in one way or another in thought, word, and deed. Every thought we have and every word we utter are recorded. On judgment day God hits the playback button! There are no secret sins (Psalm 90:7-8; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Hebrews 4:13). Against God’s perfect holiness, we must acknowledge that we deserve his wrath.
The Bible says that we suppress the truth. Read Romans 1:18-23. In some cases, the more we sin, the more we deny our sin. We get in our comfort zone and find it easy to deny our sin. Read what Jesus says about this in Revelation 3:17-18. Remember back in Genesis 3 how Adam blamed his sin on Eve, who in turn blamed it on the devil. Our nature is to just pass the buck.
Human beings are into “impression management.” Examine how concerned we are with other people getting a good impression of us versus a true impression of us. Sin binds us to see ourselves better than are. In one study, out of a million respondents not even one person said that they considered themselves below average in their ability to get along with other people.
Langdon Gilkey, who spent time in a minimum security Japanese internment camp in China, in his book Shantung Compound said this:
Most of us, in spite of whatever harm we may be doing to others, have long since convinced ourselves that the cause for which we do what we do is just and right...Having found these truths about human existence enacted before my eyes, I began to recall some of the theological ideas I had almost forgotten. The idea of original sin was so striking in this new context, it seemed ironic that of all the ideas linked with Christian belief, this one should probably strike the average man as most dubious. Yet, when one looks at the actual social behavior of people, this theological notion of a common, pervasive warping of our wills away from the good we wish to achieve is more descriptive of our actual experience of ourselves than is any other assessment of our situation. What the doctrine of sin has said about man’s present state seemed to fit the facts as I found them. In camp, both “good” people and “bad” people found it incredibly difficult to will the good; that is, to be objective in a situation of tension, and to be generous and fair to their neighbors. Though quite free to will whatever we wanted to do in a given situation, we were not free to will to love others, because the will did not really want to. We were literally bound in our own sin. This was, I knew, the way Christian thought had long viewed man’s predicament. It was also precisely what the facts of my experience seemed to substantiate.
The great faith leaders in history—for example, Augustine or John Calvin or Martin Luther or Billy Graham, etc.—assert that the more one seeks true spirituality, the more one realizes how truly weak and impotent the human condition really is. Even the great Apostle Paul, who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, acknowledged his constant failure (Romans 7:18-20). Let’s face it. When we look in the mirror we see a sinner. And what is needed are not some small adjustments to our behavior. What is needed is a radical solution for our sin.
Are you always a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9)? Do you ever lose your patience (Galatians 5:22)? Do you ever fail to exhibit self-control (Galatians 5:23)? Have you ever been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Do you ever waste anything (John 6:12)? Or be arrogant, quick-tempered, or drunk (Titus 1:7). How about, do you ever do emotional injury to another person—or its opposite, the failure to build someone up? Or feel contemptuous toward another person? Or do you ever harbor partiality toward others (James 2:1-9)? If you are a parent, have you adequately inculcated the ways of God to your children (Deuteronomy 11:18-21; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4)? Do you tend to retaliate or nurse grudges (Matthew 5:38-42)?
In order to show us how far we are from God’s standard, Jesus told us that we must be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). The Bible says that if we have broken even one item of the law, we are guilty of breaking the entire law (James 2:10). You may say, “That’s not fair!” But consider this, if a person goes into a store a hundred times and does not steal anything, but one time does steal something, is he guilty or innocent? The law considers him guilty! But the sinfulness of man goes even deeper than that. We sin every day in one way or another in thought, word, and deed. Every thought we have and every word we utter are recorded. On judgment day God hits the playback button! There are no secret sins (Psalm 90:7-8; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Hebrews 4:13). Against God’s perfect holiness, we must acknowledge that we deserve his wrath.
The Bible says that we suppress the truth. Read Romans 1:18-23. In some cases, the more we sin, the more we deny our sin. We get in our comfort zone and find it easy to deny our sin. Read what Jesus says about this in Revelation 3:17-18. Remember back in Genesis 3 how Adam blamed his sin on Eve, who in turn blamed it on the devil. Our nature is to just pass the buck.
Human beings are into “impression management.” Examine how concerned we are with other people getting a good impression of us versus a true impression of us. Sin binds us to see ourselves better than are. In one study, out of a million respondents not even one person said that they considered themselves below average in their ability to get along with other people.
Langdon Gilkey, who spent time in a minimum security Japanese internment camp in China, in his book Shantung Compound said this:
Most of us, in spite of whatever harm we may be doing to others, have long since convinced ourselves that the cause for which we do what we do is just and right...Having found these truths about human existence enacted before my eyes, I began to recall some of the theological ideas I had almost forgotten. The idea of original sin was so striking in this new context, it seemed ironic that of all the ideas linked with Christian belief, this one should probably strike the average man as most dubious. Yet, when one looks at the actual social behavior of people, this theological notion of a common, pervasive warping of our wills away from the good we wish to achieve is more descriptive of our actual experience of ourselves than is any other assessment of our situation. What the doctrine of sin has said about man’s present state seemed to fit the facts as I found them. In camp, both “good” people and “bad” people found it incredibly difficult to will the good; that is, to be objective in a situation of tension, and to be generous and fair to their neighbors. Though quite free to will whatever we wanted to do in a given situation, we were not free to will to love others, because the will did not really want to. We were literally bound in our own sin. This was, I knew, the way Christian thought had long viewed man’s predicament. It was also precisely what the facts of my experience seemed to substantiate.
The great faith leaders in history—for example, Augustine or John Calvin or Martin Luther or Billy Graham, etc.—assert that the more one seeks true spirituality, the more one realizes how truly weak and impotent the human condition really is. Even the great Apostle Paul, who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, acknowledged his constant failure (Romans 7:18-20). Let’s face it. When we look in the mirror we see a sinner. And what is needed are not some small adjustments to our behavior. What is needed is a radical solution for our sin.
Jesus often spoke of sin in metaphors that illustrate the havoc sin can wreak in one’s life. He described sin as blindness (Matthew 23:16-26), sickness (Matthew 9:12), being enslaved in bondage (John 8:34), and living in darkness (John 8:12; John 12:35-46). Jesus also taught that both inner thoughts and external acts render a person guilty (Matthew 5:28). He taught that from within the human heart come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly (Mark 7:21-23). The fact is that at times we are all condemning, spiteful, arrogant, and conniving. The unclean thoughts we all have convicts us. Jesus affirmed that God is fully aware of every person’s sins, both external acts and inner thoughts; nothing escapes his notice (Matthew 22:18; Luke 6:8; John 4:17-19).
Theologian R. C. Sproul in his book Saved from What? says this:
In addition to the external measuring rod there is also the consideration of the heart, the internal motivation for our behavior. We judge outward appearance. God looks on the heart. From a biblical perspective, to do a good deed in the fullest sense of the word requires not only that the deed conform outwardly to the standards of God’s Law but that it proceed from a heart that loves Him and wants to honor Him. We remember the great commandment: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart’ (Matthew 22:37). Let’s just stop there for a second. Is there anybody in this world who has loved God with all of his heart for even the last five minutes? No. Nobody has loved God with all of his heart since being born, nor have we loved Him with all of our mind or strength.
I know that one of the things I will be accountable for on judgment day is the way in which I have failed in the pursuit of the knowledge of God. Many times I have been lazy and slothful and too bored to apply myself to the fullest possible measure of knowing God. I have not loved God with all of my mind [also Matthew 22:37]. If I loved God with all of my mind, there would never be an impure thought in my head. But that’s not the way my head works.
Michael W. Smith and Kirkpatrick cry out to God in their beautiful song "Never Been Unloved".
I have been unfaithful.
I have been unworthy.
I have been unrighteous.
And I have been unmerciful.
I have been unreachable.
I have been unteachable.
I have been unwilling.
And I have been undesirable.
And sometimes, I have been unwise.
I’ve been undone by what I’m unsure of.
But because of you, And all that you went through,
I know that I have never been unloved.
I have been unbroken.
I have been unmended .
I have been uneasy.
And I’ve been unapproachable.
I’ve been unemotional.
I’ve been unexceptional.
I’ve been undecided .
And I have been unqualified.
Unaware, I have been unfair.
I’ve been unfit for blessings from above.
But even I can see the sacrifice you made for me.
To show that I have never been unloved.
In the site of an all-powerful and holy God, we are all guilty and must face judgment. In fact, we are not just simply guilty. We are regularly and eternally guilty. We deserve eternal punishment. Yet there is a way to gain favor before our righteous God.
May we pray? Oh Father. We acknowledge who you are in contrast to who we are. You are holy; we are lowly. You are loving—indeed love itself; yet we are selfish, spiteful, deceitful, and bent toward revenge. You are the powerful creator of the universe, and we cannot even control our own emotions—our lack of self-discipline weighs on our being. You are the truth; yet we cannot even be honest with ourselves, putting up smokescreens to avoid the truth. You are the just judge; and we think we can ignore your plain commands with impunity. You are faithful; we bend in the wind. You are diligent; we procrastinate. Father, we fall so short. Help us with our condition. We beseech you.
I have been unworthy.
I have been unrighteous.
And I have been unmerciful.
I have been unreachable.
I have been unteachable.
I have been unwilling.
And I have been undesirable.
And sometimes, I have been unwise.
I’ve been undone by what I’m unsure of.
But because of you, And all that you went through,
I know that I have never been unloved.
I have been unbroken.
I have been unmended .
I have been uneasy.
And I’ve been unapproachable.
I’ve been unemotional.
I’ve been unexceptional.
I’ve been undecided .
And I have been unqualified.
Unaware, I have been unfair.
I’ve been unfit for blessings from above.
But even I can see the sacrifice you made for me.
To show that I have never been unloved.
In the site of an all-powerful and holy God, we are all guilty and must face judgment. In fact, we are not just simply guilty. We are regularly and eternally guilty. We deserve eternal punishment. Yet there is a way to gain favor before our righteous God.
May we pray? Oh Father. We acknowledge who you are in contrast to who we are. You are holy; we are lowly. You are loving—indeed love itself; yet we are selfish, spiteful, deceitful, and bent toward revenge. You are the powerful creator of the universe, and we cannot even control our own emotions—our lack of self-discipline weighs on our being. You are the truth; yet we cannot even be honest with ourselves, putting up smokescreens to avoid the truth. You are the just judge; and we think we can ignore your plain commands with impunity. You are faithful; we bend in the wind. You are diligent; we procrastinate. Father, we fall so short. Help us with our condition. We beseech you.