When we study to attributes of God, we study them individually but we must remember that they must be considered inseparable from each other in the essence of God. God doesn’t have multiple personalities in conflict with each other. In fact, James describes God as having “no variation or the slightest hint of change (James 1:17).” This verse speaks of God’s unchanging nature, but it also expresses the unity of God’s nature in His actions. God doesn’t show one side of His character at one moment and another the next.
All God's acts arise from the sum of His attributes which make up His nature. A. W. Tozer explains,
The harmony of His being is the result not of a perfect balance of parts but of the absence of parts. Between His attributes no contradiction can exist. He need not suspend one to exercise another, for in Him all His attributes are one.
I think it might be demonstrated that almost every heresy that has afflicted the church through the years has arisen from believing about God things that are not true, or from overemphasizing certain true things so as to obscure other things equally true. To magnify any attribute to the exclusion of another is to head straight for one of the dismal swamps of theology; and yet we are all constantly tempted to do just that.So while they can and must be studied individually, they must be seen as one in the essence of whom God is. We must endeavor to keep all of God’s character in mind even as we explore each attribute individually.
As we study these attributes of God, we will immerse ourselves in the bottomless well of His glorious nature. Each attribute will bring us closer to understanding the vast and magnificent brilliance of His nature. And, we will be left in wonder and worship of this God who is our God.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: (4) Defining God
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