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The Nature of God— What's Love Got To Do With It?
'Ready Answer' by Joseph B. BaityAs Christians strive to understand the biblical concept of love, it is vital to recognize its deep connection to God's nature. The scriptures, particularly I John 4:7-8, 16, provide essential guidance and insight into our Creator's essence, centering on the word love. This divine nature stands in stark contrast to the efforts of the old deluder, satan, who seeks to obscure and distort the understanding of God's nature by diluting and overusing the meaning of love. By expanding and reshaping its definition, satan promotes a selfish, introverted, and destructive force that hinders individuals from truly knowing or loving Him as He commands. Instead of reflecting the selfless, outgoing, and unifying attribute that defines God's nature, this corrupted view of love prevents spiritual growth and the completion of His task to re-create us in His image. Yet, we must resist satan's deceptive influence by diligently reading, studying, and comprehending the Word of God. Our loving God, who has supplied our every need, completed the Creation, gave us His commandments, became human, provided His Spirit, and inspired every word in the Bible, reveals His nature to show us definitively what love truly means.
Can Theology Define God's Nature?
Article by Earl L. HennThe nature of God remains beyond the grasp of human reasoning, as it often leads to conclusions that contradict what God reveals in His Word. God condemns human intellectual vanity throughout the Bible, demonstrating that His knowledge, understanding, and wisdom far surpass that of any human being. He calls into His church those who are weak and unlearned to shame the wise and learned of this world, hiding His truths from the prudent and revealing them to babes, as Jesus Christ affirms in His gratitude to the Father. God is Spirit, existing in a dimension beyond human comprehension, where the logic of the physical world does not apply. Human minds, being finite, cannot fully comprehend the infinite capabilities of an infinite Being like God. Therefore, the revealed Word of God stands as the sole source of knowledge about His nature, and reliance on human logic only obscures the truth. All understanding of God must be rooted solely in what He has disclosed through His Word.
The Nature of God: Elohim
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnderstanding the nature of God is foundational to the direction of our lives. The Bible reveals that God's nature is not singular but encompasses a family, as seen in the term Elohim, which is consistently plural, meaning "Gods" or "powerful ones." Elohim, used over 2,570 times in the Old Testament, indicates at least two divine beings, and even more as it expands to include many. From the very beginning in Genesis, Elohim is shown as plural, with the statement "Let Us make man in Our image," affirming a multiplicity within unity. The nature of God as a family is further clarified in the New Testament, where Jesus identifies members of Elohim as the Father and the Son, placing Himself within this divine family. This plurality does not imply division, for Elohim always acts as one, in perfect agreement, much like a singular institution despite comprising many. This unity is reflected in the grammatical structure where a plural noun, Elohim, takes a singular verb, illustrating a profound oneness in purpose and action. God's nature profoundly impacts what we worship and, consequently, how we live. Worshipping Elohim, as revealed in Scripture, motivates us to conform to His image, influencing our morality, actions, and life's direction. The Bible shows that God is expanding this family, drawing humans into Elohim, considering them already part of the divine family, with the potential to be filled with the fullness of God. This expansion challenges narrow cultural views and reveals Elohim as a growing kingdom, a family united in harmony, striving to bring all into oneness with the Father and the Son.
The Wholeness of God
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod is a multidimensional personality, a whole Being whose wonderful, perfect attributes work together—and whose traits we are to come to know and reflect.
The Unique Greatness of Our God (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughAll of the things that we know about God and His purpose are similar to what toddlers know about adults and their plans.
God of the Pigeonhole
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughTo see God as accurately as possible, we must refrain from drawing a too-simple mental picture of His nature. We must be continually expanding our conception of Him.
Seeking God (Part One): Our Biggest Problem
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAfter making the covenant with God, how does a person avoid backsliding? The answer lies in seeking God, which involves much more than commonly thought.
Where God Places His Name (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause we would die from exposure to God's glory, the name of God, reflecting His characteristics, is the only way we can approach God.
Godly Character
Sermonette by James BeaubelleNone of us is born with godly character; we develop it over a lifetime, working with God to develop right habits, conforming to God's holy characteristics.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe numerous scriptural references to angelic beings indicate that the spiritual entities have tangible substance. God is not a universal nothingness.
The Names of God
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsThe name of God is important—so important that He included its proper use in His Ten Commandments. However, His emphasis is on His character, not a pronunciation.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe true nature of God differs greatly from the trinitarian concept. Having created us in His form and shape, God is developing us into His character image.
God's Will
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPraying according to God's will is sometimes ambiguous. Yet as we respond positively to His covenant, He reveals more and more of His secret plans.
Image and Likeness of God (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughErrant teachers have spiritualized God away into a shapeless, formless, ethereal blob. They dismiss hundreds of scriptural references as figures of speech.
The Sovereignty of God: Introduction
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty is one of the most important issues a Christian must consider. Have we acknowledged that He has total authority over us in particular?
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Grace implies empowerment for growth. It is the single most important aspect of our salvation, and His giving of it is completely unmerited on our part.
Fully Man and Fully God?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ is called both 'Son of Man' and 'Son of God,' raising weighty questions about His nature. Could He have both full humanity and full divinity?
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost converted Christians realize that God is sovereign. But sometimes the Bible reveals something about God that makes us uncomfortable. Can we accept it?
Sin, Christians, and the Fear of God
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughScripture takes a very stern view of sin because it is failure to live up to God's standard and destroys relationships, especially our relationship with God.
God's Rest (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath rest depicts the miracle of conversion, in which the transformation of mankind into God's image brings about a rest in which God takes pleasure.
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part Two)
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughIsrael had every opportunity that the Gentiles did not have. God gave the Israelites gifts to live a better way, but they completely failed to reflect Him.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because we are all sinners, we have earned only death; justification is not earned, but must come through faith and believing God as did our father Abraham.
A Hidden Mystery in God!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBefore anyone can have fellowship before God, the obstacle of sin must be eliminated, which is a permanent barrier between us and God.
We Shall Be God
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Though it may sound pretentious or even blasphemous, God's Word shows that we will become literal offspring of the Eternal God, sharing His name and nature.
The Pursuit of Excellence (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Clyde FinkleaThe Christian concept of excellence is far different from this world's idea of competitive superiority. The Bible's teaching does not include climbing over others.
The Third Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMany think the Third Commandment merely prohibits profane speech. In reality, it regulates the purity and quality of our worship of the great God.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist Himself asserted the superiority of the Father. Jesus serves as the revelator of the great God, providing the only means of access to Him.
Holiness (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo appropriate the name of God means to represent His attributes, character and nature. Our behavior must imitate Christ just as Christ revealed God the Father.
The Shepherd of Israel
Sermonette by David C. GrabbePsalm 80 shows that the Shepherd of Israel sat between the Cherubim in the Holy of Holies, showing that Jesus Christ is the God who interacted with Israel.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughLove is the first fruit of the Spirit, the one trait of God that exemplifies His character. The Bible defines love as both what it is and what it does.
The Third Commandment (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMany think the third commandment deals only with euphemisms and swearing, but it goes much deeper. It regulates the quality of our worship and glorifying God.
Character and Reputation (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by James BeaubelleWe can never destroy another's standing before God, but we can easily injure his or her standing before other people. We truly are our brother's keeper.
The Third Commandment: Idolatry
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the the Third Commandment, God's name describes His character, attributes, and nature. If we bear God's name, we must reflect His image and His character.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and Son are separate; the Father is the source of all power, while the Son serves as the channel through which we interface with the Father.
Love's Emotional Dimension
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove doesn't become 'love' until we act. If we don't do what is right, the right feeling will never be formed; emotions are largely developed by our experiences.
Unity and Division (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeEven though God desires brethren to dwell in peace and unity, at times HE ordains and causes disruption and division. How do we explain this apparent paradox?
Our Father
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidEmotional and spiritual well-being of children improves when fathers fulfill their role. People from dysfunctional families have a skewed image of God.
The Commandments (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe prohibition against taking God's name in vain is the least understood commandment. When we bear God's name, we are to bear His character and nature.
The Elements of Motivation (Part One): Fear
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEven though a Christian's potential is so wonderful, it is still necessary for God to motivate His children to reach it. This begins with the fear of God.