GOD IS LIGHT

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5)

Devotion 2 of 22

SOME DECLARATIONS OF GOD

Before proceeding further in this study, it will be good to consider how the nature of God is proclaimed in Scripture. God desires to be known and understood (Jer 9:23-24), and thus has provided us with considerable insight into His Person. These things are not designed to simply add information to out intellectual data bank. Rather, they are addressed to the heart, and are provided to quicken our spiritual understanding. It will at once become evident that God does not desire to be known simplistically.

We are provided with a panoramic view of His nature, which comprises seemingly contradictory characteristics. These seeming contradictions, however, are only in the human imagination, and will, if entertained, result in a misapprehension of the Divine nature.

Consuming fire

The supremacy of God is perceived in His consuming nature. Unless repentance takes place in their heart, all opponents of God will ultimately be destroyed by Him. As it is written, "For our God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29). This is a vivid description of His nature, or Being. He is not a consuming fire, however, to those who trust Him, but to those that oppose Him. This is how He is. Those opposing Him, or in conflict with Him, cannot survive the confrontation of Him.

Jealous

The Lord will not allow His creation to give the love meant for Him to another. That is why idolatry is strictly forbidden, whether found in imagery or covetousness. If our hearts are not given to Him, together with our minds and strength, we will be cut off from Him, and there are no exceptions. If this were believed, it would invigorate men to preach the Gospel with all of their might. The Lord God Himself said, "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex 34:14). "God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and He reserveth wrath for his enemies" (Nah 1:2). Note, jealousy is not merely a trait or quality of God. His "Name is Jealous," i.e., that is what He Himself is. This is not an attribute of God. It is God! He actually desires your love and adoration, and will not allow another to be the recipient of the same.

Love

The greatness of God is seen in the diversity of His nature. Though He is Jealous, that is not all He is. He is also love. "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love . . . And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in Him" (1 John 4:8,16). Again, love is not a quality of God. He is the embodiment of love. When God loves, He is expressing Himself, showing us what He is like. It is His nature to seek our welfare, providing good things for us. Technically, He is not a loving God; He IS love!

A Spirit

Because men tend to judge according to appearance, and because they give too much weight to their analytical abilities, God is declared to be "a Spirit." "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). God is not circumscribed by form, or other aspects of appearance. Because of this condition, He cannot be comprehended by the "natural man." He is transcendent to the natural order. Also, because He is a Spirit, He may only be known "spiritually."

One

There is a unity in God that is challenging to our hearts and minds. He is One, totally harmonious in all of His nature. "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:29-30). No part of God competes with another part. How unlike ourselves this is. We have contrary laws within our persons, struggling against each other (Rom 7:18-22; Gal 5:17). When we would do good, evil is present with us. God has no such struggle. He is truly "One."

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you for being a great God, yet revealing Yourself in a remarkable way through the Son.

-- Tomorrow: AS SOME SEE HIM --