Searching the Scripture

Lesson 3 GOD is a Balanced Being

Part 1:

GOD is holy, loving, merciful, and faithful. GOD is also just and righteous. Many people today have a one-sided view of GOD. They put all their emphasizes on HIS love and forget that HE is also just and holy. It is GOD´s love that allows HIM to forgive sin and show mercy to the repentant sinner. (Repentant is the key word). However, the holiness and justice of GOD demands that sin be punished to the full extent of the law.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS
CHRIST our LORD.

Many argue that hell is an impossibility. How can a loving, merciful GOD send a human being there for all eternity? To think this is to have an unbalanced view of GOD. Take a look at II Corinthians 5:11 and think about it. It will help you to understand the horrors of hell and the blackout a Calvary as you consider the holiness and severity of GOD´s wrath against sin.
GOD´s holiness demands that we be holy. GOD´s law places eternal damnation on the guilty sinner in accordance with GOD´s justice. It is one of the greatest miracles of all time that GOD found a way of salvation that satisfies both GOD´s holiness and HIS love. It satisfies the law and yet allows man to be a creature of free will who can choose salvation or damnation, heaven or hell.

GOD is Holy.

How can we imagine HIM as anything but perfectly holy. To be holy means to be pure; to be undefiled. GOD is totally pure. Read these verses: Habakkuk 1:13; Exodus 15:11; I Samuel 2:2; and Isaiah 6:3.

The holiness of GOD separated HIM from fallen man.

Eph. 2:13 - But now in CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of CHRIST.

The only way that man can approach holy GOD is through the blood of JESUS CHRIST.

GOD is holy. GOD hates sin. His holy wrath must punish sin.

Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all.

This is why the FATHER forsook and punished HIS SON on Calvary. This demand was assumed by the SAVIOUR on the cross and the sacrifice completely satisfied the FATHER.

GOD is Love.

I John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not GOD; for GOD is love.

Love here is not only a verb, it is also a noun. If GOD lives in my heart then I must love because I am indwelt by LOVE.

I John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of GOD, and knoweth GOD

What is love? It is a desire for and a delight in the welfare on the one whom the love is bestowed. True love even loves sinners and enemies.

Matthew 5:44-45 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your FATHER which is in heaven; for HE maketh HIS sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

John 3:16 - For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.

GOD loves the world (mankind) and because of that love HE formed a plan of salvation so that we (mankind) might have the opportunity to escape wrath and damnation.