We see the God of love in our freedom and free will. But how does that fit in with his holiness? In my view the holiness of God is his strongest characteristic. Most believers in traditional churches would agree that, “holiness occupies the foremost rank among the attributes of God.”1 This truth is proven by the fact that God creates divisions between himself and what is sinful. The Jews were not allowed near Mount Sinai when God came to down to give the ten commandments.2 There was also a division in the tabernacle between the most holy of holies where God dwelled and the holy places.3 Clearly God is perfectly holy and can not allow sin.
It is true that God can not allow sin to go unpunished. But at the same time he is merciful and gracious towards us. Mercy is, “God’s goodness manifested towards those who are in misery or distress.”4 In other words mercy is God showing kindness to those who are in need. Scripture contains many passages that refer to the mercy of God (Ephesians 2:4, James 5:11, I Peter 1:3, Psalms 102:13, Romans 11:30).5 The Bible contains countless stories of sinners who received God’s merciful kindness instead of judgment.
And then of course there is the Grace of God. This refers to giving someone a free gift that they could never earn on their own. The greatest illustration of God’s grace is obviously the death of Christ on the cross. None of us could have ever deserved what Jesus did for us. But he still bore our sins upon the cross and paid the price for those sins with his blood.
What does this all mean? The answer is that there is a balance to God. He is at the same time both holy, and loving. Mercy and grace are two very strong characteristics of God’s love.6 Does this mean that we should continue sinning so that God has to forgive us? Of course not!7 For the mercy and grace of God are not as strong as his holiness. In fact the showing of mercy or grace toward a guilty sinner is, “optional with God”8 Grace and mercy will always be offered, but not always be given. At some point a sinner will face the condemnation of God for his continued sin.
By looking at God’s holiness, mercy, and love at the same time we have a complete view of him. He is not the God of love who allows us to do everything we want. Neither is he the God of judgment who is always looking for someone to punish. He is a God who does not desire to punish us for sin, and because of that will usually reach out with mercy and grace. But at the same time if we reject his mercy and grace we will be judged. Having a clear understanding of God is very important for us today. It helps us to understand it is not his will for us to be legalists. But it is not his will for us to love everyone into Jesus either.
1 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.84, par.2, ln.1
2 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.84, par.2, ln.4
3 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.84, par.2, ln.5
4 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.86, par.5, ln.1
5 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.86, par.5, ln.7
6 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pgs.86-87
7 Romans 6:1-2
8 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.87, par.3, ln.1
It is true that God can not allow sin to go unpunished. But at the same time he is merciful and gracious towards us. Mercy is, “God’s goodness manifested towards those who are in misery or distress.”4 In other words mercy is God showing kindness to those who are in need. Scripture contains many passages that refer to the mercy of God (Ephesians 2:4, James 5:11, I Peter 1:3, Psalms 102:13, Romans 11:30).5 The Bible contains countless stories of sinners who received God’s merciful kindness instead of judgment.
And then of course there is the Grace of God. This refers to giving someone a free gift that they could never earn on their own. The greatest illustration of God’s grace is obviously the death of Christ on the cross. None of us could have ever deserved what Jesus did for us. But he still bore our sins upon the cross and paid the price for those sins with his blood.
What does this all mean? The answer is that there is a balance to God. He is at the same time both holy, and loving. Mercy and grace are two very strong characteristics of God’s love.6 Does this mean that we should continue sinning so that God has to forgive us? Of course not!7 For the mercy and grace of God are not as strong as his holiness. In fact the showing of mercy or grace toward a guilty sinner is, “optional with God”8 Grace and mercy will always be offered, but not always be given. At some point a sinner will face the condemnation of God for his continued sin.
By looking at God’s holiness, mercy, and love at the same time we have a complete view of him. He is not the God of love who allows us to do everything we want. Neither is he the God of judgment who is always looking for someone to punish. He is a God who does not desire to punish us for sin, and because of that will usually reach out with mercy and grace. But at the same time if we reject his mercy and grace we will be judged. Having a clear understanding of God is very important for us today. It helps us to understand it is not his will for us to be legalists. But it is not his will for us to love everyone into Jesus either.
1 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.84, par.2, ln.1
2 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.84, par.2, ln.4
3 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.84, par.2, ln.5
4 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.86, par.5, ln.1
5 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.86, par.5, ln.7
6 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pgs.86-87
7 Romans 6:1-2
8 Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, pg.87, par.3, ln.1
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