THE ACTIVE ATTRIBUTES

 

By Gary Ray Branscome

 

          The attributes that I have listed as active are those that have to do with how God deals with us or what He does. They are life, knowledge, wisdom, will, holiness, justice, honesty, power, and goodness.

 

DIVINE LIFE – The words, “The LORD is the true God, He is the living God,” tell us that unlike all idols, our God is alive (Jeremiah 10:10). The words, “Who alone is immortal, dwelling in the light that no man can approach” tell us that God is immortal (1Timothy 6:16). The words, “In Him we live, and move, and have our being; and some of your own poets have said, We are His offspring,” tell us that God is the source of our life (Acts 17:28). The words “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God: and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself; so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,” are not just telling us that God is alive, but that He alone has the power to give life (John 5:25-26). And, the words, “They became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made to resemble corruptible man,” tell us that God is incorruptible (Romans 1:22-23). [See also: Deut. 32:39, 1Tim. 1:17, Acts 14:15 and 17:25, Heb. 10:31, 1Tim. 3:15 and 4:10.]

 

DIVINE KNOWLEDGE – The words, “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, watching the wicked and the good,” tell us that God sees all things (Proverbs 15:3). The words, “Your eyes saw me, before I was formed; and in your book all the days of my life were written, before they ever took shape, before any of them began,” tell us that God knows all that will happen (Psalm 139:16), The words, “If for any reason our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things,” tell us that there is no limit to God’s knowledge (1John 3:20). And, the words, “O LORD, you have searched me, and known me. You know when I sit down and when I get up, you understand my thoughts from far away. You watch over my travels and my rest, and know all my ways. Before there is a word on my tongue, O LORD, you know all about it,” tell us that God knows everything about us (Psalm 139:1-4).

          The words, “There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and is making known to king Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the future,” tell us that God knows the future (Daniel 2:28). The words, “And you, Capernaum… if the mighty works, that have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day,” tell us that God even knows what might have happened, but did not (Matthew 11:23). And, the words, “Do not let anyone say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does He tempt anyone,” tell us that God does not cause men to do evil things, even though He knows what they will do (James 1:13). [See 1Sam. 2:3, 1Kings 8:39, Psalm 7:9, Ps. 34:15, Ps. 139”1-2, John 21:17, John 2:25, Isaiah 66:2, Matt. 6:32.]

 

DIVINE WISDOM – The words, “Now to the eternal King, the immortal, invisible, and only wise God, be glory and honor for ever and ever. Amen,” tell us that God is wise (1Timothy 1:17). The words, “O LORD, how many are the things you have made! in wisdom you have made them all: the earth is full of your creatures,” tell us that the design we see in all created things is evidence of God’s wisdom (Psalm 104:24). The words, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” tell us that God’s wisdom is beyond our ability to understand (Romans 11:33). While the words, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, who does not change, or shift as the shadows,” and the words, “If anyone of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously,” tell us that all true wisdom comes from God (James 1:5 and 17).

 

DIVINE WILL – The words, “Who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been His counselor?” tell us that God has a mind (Romans 11:34). The words, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,” tell us that God has a will (1Thessalonians 4:3). The words, “The LORD tries the righteous: but He hates the wicked and anyone who loves violence,” tells us that God hates wickedness (Psalm 11:5). The words, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; so that each may receive the things done in the body, according to everything he has done, whether good or evil,” tell us that it is God’s will to condemn sin (2Corinthians 5:10). And, the words, “He who believes on Him is not condemned: but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God,” tell us that God will condemn all who do not trust in Christ (John 3:18). In understanding God’s will it is important to stick strictly to what God has revealed in His Word (Pr. 30:6, Rom. 1:22).

 

DIVINE HOLINESS – The words, “I am the LORD your God: you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy,” tell us that God is Holy, the words, “This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,” tell us that God wants His people to be holy [set apart from the world, sanctified]  (Leviticus 11:44, 1Thessalonians 4:3). The words, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works,” use holiness as a synonym for righteousness (Psalm 145:17). The words, “Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I, who am but dust and ashes, have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord,” tell us that because God is holy we should approach Him with reverence (Genesis 18:27). And the words, “We were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, // In whom we have free and confident access to God through faith in Him,” tell us that is only through the forgiveness that is ours in Christ that we have access to our holy God  (Romans 5:10, Ephesians 3:12). [See Deut 32:4, Lev. 11:44, 1Pet. 1:15-16, Isaiah 6:3, John 12:41, Ex. 3:5, Romans 5:1.]

 

DIVINE JUSTICE – The words, “Be careful what you do: for you do not judge for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Therefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed what you do: for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or respect of persons, or accepting gifts,” tell us that God is fair and just in all of His decisions, and will condemn all judges who are not just (2Chronicles 19:6-7). The words, “You shall not make unrighteousness judgments: you shall not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor,” tell us that just judgments are righteous judgments (Leviticus 19:5). The words, “The ungodly will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous,” warn the ungodly that because God is just they will be punished (Psalm 1:5-6). The words, “Because of your hard and impenitent heart you are stockpiling wrath for yourself in the day when the wrath and righteous judgment of God is revealed; For He will render to every man according to his deeds,” warn the unrighteous of their need to repent (Romans 2:5-6). And, the words, “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and who refuse to accept the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who will be punished with unending destruction away from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His might,” remind us that because God is just He has provided a way of receiving forgiveness through “the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2Thessalonians 1:7-9). [See Psalm 92:15, Hosea 14:9, Ps. 19:7, Isaiah 45:23, Ps. 119:137, Romans 1:32, Acts 17:31.]

 

DIVINE HONESTY – The words, “God is not a man, that He should lie; nor the son of man, that He should repent: has He said, and shall He not do it? or has He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” tell us that God is unfailing in speaking the truth and in keeping His promises (Numbers 23:19). The words, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away,” tell us that what God has promised will never fail (Matthew 24:35). The words, “Let God be true, but every man a liar… That you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged, // Looking to the hope of eternal life, that God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,” tell us that we need to believe God‘s Word not man’s word [i.e. science, tradition etc.] if we want to escape God’s judgment (Romans 3:4, Titus 1:2). And, this is God’s promise, “Whoever believes in Him [Christ] will not be ashamed,” on the day of judgment (Romans 10:11). [See Psalm 146:6, 2Sam. 7:28, Isaiah 65:16.]

 

DIVINE POWER – The words, “Jesus looked at them, and said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” tell us that nothing is impossible for God to do (Matthew 19:26). [See Gen. 18:14, Mark 10:27, Luke 18:27.] The words, “The LORD made the heavens by His word; and all the stars by the breath of His mouth… Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast,” tell us that God’s power is revealed in His creation (Psalm 33:6-9). However, the words, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; but no sign will be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah,” tell us that even though God can do all things, He does not use His power arbitrarily (Matthew 12:39).

          In the past, enemies of God [See James 4:4] have tried to confuse believers by saying, “If God cannot lie, steal, die, or make a stone that is too big for Him to lift, then there are some things that He cannot do”. That sort of reasoning only shows their ignorance, for by the miracle of the virgin birth God took upon Himself the nature of man in the person of Christ Jesus. In the person of Christ it was possible for Him to lie or steal but He did not. As man there were many stones that He could not lift. And, as the God-man He did die. He died in our place so we could have forgiveness.  As believers, there are many things that we do not understand, however, in regard to those who use such arguments God warns us, “Beware lest any man take you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy” (Colossians 2:8). “If they do not speak according to” God’s “Word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

 

DIVINE GOODNESS – The Bible passages that reveal God’s goodness include those that speak of His compassion, love, mercy, grace, long-suffering and so forth. That being understood, the words, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” clearly reveal God’s goodness (John 3:16). The words, “You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth,” are aimed at assuring those with a repentant heart of God’s mercy (Psalm 86:15). The words, “You, Lord, are kind, ready to forgive; and full of mercy for all those who call on you,” urge the lost to seek God’s mercy (Psalm 85:5). The words, “Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and patience; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” tell us that God’s longsuffering gives us time to repent (Romans 2:4). And, through repentance God reveals, “The exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7) “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). [See Psalm 145:9, Ps. 36:6-7, Ps. 86:15, Ps. 103:8, Eph. 2:4, Rom, 8:28]

 

More on God’s Attributes

God is Compassionate. 1Kings 13:23, Lamentations 3:22-23, Psalm 78:38.
God is Faithful and True. Joshua
21:45, 2Samuel 7:28, Psalm 19:9, Isaiah 25:1.
God is Gracious. Nehemiah 9:31, Isaiah 30:18-19, Exodus 34:6.
God is Incomprehensible. Job 36:26, Job 37:5, Psalm 40:5, Psalm 139:6.
God is Incorruptible. Leviticus 11:44, Malachi 3:6.
God is Invisible. Job 23:8-9, 1Timothy
1:17.
God is Jealous. Exodus 20:5, Deuteronomy 32:16.
God is Longsuffering. Numbers 14:18, Psalm 86:15.
God is Merciful. Exodus 34:6-7, Numbers
14:18, Psalm 36:5, Psalm 136, Psalm 106:1, Psalm 13:5.
God is Righteous. Ezra 9:15, Psalm 145:7 & 17.
God is Upright. Psalm 25:8, Psalm 92:15.