The God of the Gospel (Part 1)
Have you ever described someone that you knew to a friend? Or perhaps you’ve tried to describe yourself? What words were used? “Oh, he’s really funny! She’s so smart! Look out for him, he’s a bit weird!” Since we are embarking on a journey involving the Gospel, it would be a good idea to be introduced to the One who came up with the idea of the Gospel in the first place, God.
Now, I know what you are thinking (really!) “I know what God is like!” Perhaps you’ve heard people talk about Him, maybe positively, maybe not-so-positively. But, instead of describing Him, we’ll let Him tell us about Himself. After all, He does know Himself much better than any of us could ever hope to. And, He really did give us an introduction to His character in the Bible. There are two specific places where the Lord describes Himself (of course the whole Bible gives us insight on what God is like, but these verses are two in which He specifically describes Himself). So, we will take them together to find out what God is like.
I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:5-6)
The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6-7)
What do we learn from these verses?
* God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger. These are the first words He used to describe Himself to Moses when He passed by in Exodus 34. Often the first is the most important. God wants His children to know that, first and foremost, He is merciful and gracious. He is not sitting in heaven waiting to strike you down for some perceived violation of the rules. He is, on the other hand, “full of mercy and grace.” That means 1) He shows mercy to us (not giving us what we deserve) and 2) He gives us grace (giving us His divine favor, which we do not deserve). Being slow to anger means He is patient with us. He understands that we are but vessels of clay, and fallen vessels at that.
* God is abounding is steadfast love and faithfulness. God loves with a love that will not let go. The Hebrew word used here has a meaning that ties three concepts together: strength, steadfastness, and love. It means that while God will always keep His covenants (in a legal sense), He does so freely and voluntarily because He loves us. So no matter what we do, His love will never diminish. He will always act for our good and His glory, for He can do no differently.
God loves you with a love that will not let go. Until next time, when we will finish this self-revelation of God, hold on to that.
