A conference on "how to be positive during negative times" will have so many guests, but a conference about the attributes of great God of this universe will have but a few spectators. A book of practical steps on improving your lifestyle will be a bestseller. But a book about who God is, what the Gospel is, what conversion is - the very things that contain the glory of God and build character in the life of a Christian - will be on the worst selling list. Some people might even say, "But we know God already, we do not need to be reminded of His character". Oh my dear friend, listen to what you are saying. No, we only know a fragment of God's nature and we will spend eternity in heaven trying to acquaint ourselves with Him but we will always fall short, never arriving at end of our destination.
I would also submit to you dear readers that in this present age, most of the things we know about God are mere assumptions. About 70% of what we know about God comes from Christian cliches, and when it comes down to the application, we can do no better than a corpse.
One of the greatest need today is to begin rediscovering who God is and how His attributes play in the context of Scripture. To know God is eternal life (John 17:3). Yes, we know God is love, but do we understand how His love works? Do we understand that His love is unconditional and it freely offered to you, not because of some special merit you have above others, but simply because it pleased Him to do so? Do we know how different His love is from man? A correct understanding of God's love will cause the repentant to abhor himself and fall down on His knees in wholesome adoration. But how much do all the teachings in many conferences today have to do with who God is? Is it not true that most Christian gatherings are vain pursuits? We talk so much about principles and steps on how to improve our lives, but when have we passionately discussed the dimensions of God's mercy? Or His wrath? Or His immutability?
Some of us would even say that the attributes of God has no practical application. Oh, can you even hear what your saying? Your saying that the knowledge of the God Almighty, the very One who created you and continually sustains you has no practical value?
I tell you dear friend, if you are seeking practical steps to be holy, pondering on the excellencies of God is the best and only place to start. It is only by knowing Him can you submit to Him and love Him at an even greater degree. And I also tell you that you can start at the attributes of God and find yourself satisfied day after day, but you will never reach the end because the very Centerpiece of your study has no end!
Tired of sin? Study the wrath of God and His abhorrence of evil that you may tremble in reverence and remember not to grieve His heart.
Looking for comfort? Run to the sovereignty of God that you may find assurance that nothing is without His reach.
Feeling lukewarm? Exhaust yourself in the knowledge of God's grace that you may weep over your dull heart, remembering that you deserved hell and yet was saved by grace - the unmerited and undeserved favor of God.
Doubting your salvation? Seek to grasp the unconditional love of God that your carnal doubts be purged and in turn, be replaced by faith, hope and love.
Ah, these are but a few examples of the many ways the attributes of God can be put into practice. But be not deceived! Our primary goal in unveiling the attributes of God has nothing to do with the betterment of our lives - far from it! Our main objective in studying the character, nature and excellencies of the Lord is so that we may glorify Him and acquaint ourselves with Him - taking pleasure in Him as we digest His words daily.
May we all exhaust ourselves in His divine excellencies which are so graciously revealed in Scripture!
Jeremiah 9:23,24
This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows Me.."
This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows Me.."
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