What does the word of God teach us about God’s Character?

Isaiah 51: 4-6 NLT 4 “Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. 5 My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. 6 Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!...”

Jeremiah 9: 23-24 NLT 23 This is what the LORD says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth and that I delight in these things. I the LORD, have spoken!”

Job 37:21-24 21 We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds. 22 So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor. 23 We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us. 24 No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.

What is Justice? Noun 1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness; to uphold the justice of a cause 2. the moral principle determining just conduct.

What is Righteous? Adjective 1. (of a person or conduct) Morally right or justifiable; virtuous. 2. Perfectly wonderful; fine and genuine.

What is Mercy? Noun 1. Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. 2. An event to be grateful for, especially because its occurrence prevents something unpleasant or provides relief from suffering.

What is God’s Divine Grace? Divine grace is a theological term present in many religions. It has been defined as the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation, and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.

Mercy vs. Grace Mercy and grace are often confused. While the terms have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not the same. To summarize the difference: mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. Grace is extending kindness to the unworthy.

What is Salvation? Noun Deliverance from sin and its consequences. Preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.

Godly Character in Action There is no one ever born that can stand-up to God’s standards. God being righteous and just had to deal with (punish) sin. He also wanted to provide mercy through salvation because he is a loving God. He also knew that we would require on-going divine grace to live holy. There was only one way for this to happen!

John 3:16-17 NLT 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Romans 3: 22-23 NLT 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Isaiah 53: 3-6 NLT 3 He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.

Now that we are reconciled (our sins paid for by Christ) to God, what will our lives be like?

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh 8 Three different time I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Godly Character of the Believer What did God mean by “my grace is all you need and my power works best in weakness”?

We come to God filled with worldly ways and worldly thinking We come to God filled with worldly ways and worldly thinking. We spent a lifetime learning these ways and they are not easy to get rid of. Remember, if we had the strength on our own to change who we are and stop sinning, we would not have needed God to save us. That being said, we have to learn how to live as new people in Christ, using God’s Divine Grace while learning to rely less on our own abilities.

Philippians 2: 12-13 NLT 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Divine Grace)

Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT 1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1 Peter 1:13-17 NLT 13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as “foreigners in the land.”

Judgment or Reward God still requires justice and although Christ’s blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, God will still judge our actions as needed even if we ask for forgiveness but especially if we don’t repent. Judgment comes in the form of divine discipline (the severity depends on your actions). Rewards comes in the form of blessings (the quantity and quality of which depends on your actions). Keeping in mind, that blessings are often our growth in faith during a trial and getting closer to God as a result.

Hebrews 12:5-7 NLT 5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?

Hebrews 11:6 NLT 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Praise God We praise your name, Almighty God, for you are just and your righteousness and tender mercies endure forever!