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The Attributes of God – Sovereignty

Aug 17

Posted by Bo in God's Attributes

What does the word sovereignty mean? What is a sovereign? We don’t use the word very often in the United States today, because a sovereign is a king – one who rules over his subjects. So, when we speak of God’s sovereignty, what are we talking about? When we speak of God as a Sovereign, we speak of his rule over everything in the universe.

Abraham Kuyper, a Dutch theologian and prime minister once said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’” R.C. Sproul put it this way:

If there is one molecule in this universe running around loose outside the scope or the sphere of God’s divine control and authority and power, then that single maverick molecule may be the grain of sand that changes the entire course of human history, that blocks God from keeping the promises he has made to his people.

As we know, God created everything that exists. Scripture opens with those famous words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), and the writer to the Hebrews tells us, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). God created all things, so he is the Author of all things. And, as the Author of all things, he has authority over them. The idea of God’s sovereignty presupposes God’s creation. Without God’s creation of all things, he would not be the Sovereign Ruler of all things.

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The Attributes of God – Holiness

Aug 13

Posted by Bo in God's Attributes

In our study of the attributes of God, it is good to go back to the Westminster Larger Catechism for their definition of God.

God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all‑sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long‑suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. (Question 7)

So, as we study those things which make God God, where do we begin? Some would say that we should begin with God’s infinity, because he is from everlasting to everlasting. Others would opt for his sovereignty as being the starting point, because he is the sovereign Ruler of the universe. Still others would call for an emphasis on his love, because “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

But one attribute of God which covers all the others is his holiness. In fact, Scripture describes God and his name as holy over 900 times. Actually, God can be said to be sovereign, just, merciful, gracious, loving, wrathful, etc. in his holiness. It is God’s holiness that defines him as God, and it is the first thing we think of when we consider his existence.

The Puritan writer, Thomas Watson, said of God’s holiness:

God is intrinsically holy. All he does is holy; he cannot act but like himself; he can no more do an unrighteous action than the sun can turn dark. He is the original and pattern of holiness. It began with him who is the Ancient of Days. God is perfectly, unalterably, and unchangeably holy.

In the Hebrew literature of the Old Testament, repetition was used to emphasize words and ideas. As we would capitalize a word or use bold print, the writers of the Old Testament repeated words and phrases. We often do something similar when we speak of good, better, and best. In Hebrew, repeating a word or phrase three times elevates it to the third degree, or the superlative. Interestingly, God’s holiness is the only attribute which is emphasized in this way in Scripture. The seraphim in Isaiah 6 declare that God is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” However, as important as they are, no other attributes are spoken of in this way. We never read that God is “Sovereign, Sovereign, Sovereign,” “Gracious, Gracious, Gracious,” or even “Love, Love, Love.” Only his holiness is thus highlighted and declared.

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The Attributes of God – Introduction

Aug 13

Posted by Bo in God's Attributes

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100:1-5

Worship is a word that we use so frequently that we might be tempted to grow cold to it’s meaning.  What do we do when we worship?

The word worship comes from an old English word weorthscipe which meant to shape the worth of something. It has to do with declaring the worth or worthiness of something, or paying respect and reverence. So, when we worship God, we declare God’s worthiness, and we pay him respect for who he is.

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Decisionism vs Fruits

Jul 22

Posted by Bo in Sovereignty, Video

For all those whose assurance rests in the flyleaf of their Bible.

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Conformity vs Transformation

Jul 18

Posted by Bo in Legalism, Musings, Scripture

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

This is a tough thing.  Paul has commanded that we be transformed(μεταμορφόω ) not conformed(σύμμορφος ).

The uses of μεταμορφόω and συσχηματίζω in the NT are interesting.

The former being used 4 times and always to express a genuine change.  μεταμορφόω is transliterated as metamorphoô from which you readily identify our english word metamorphosis.  This is the word that the gospel writers Mark and Matthew used when speaking of Jesus’ transfiguration (μεταμορφόω).  Paul also uses it in II Corinthians 3:18 when speaking of the change (μεταμορφόω ) that results as we “behold the glory of the Lord”.

Now how about conformed (συσχηματίζω)?  I looked at all the NT appearances of συσχηματίζωσ and it’s derivatives and whenever this word appears it always seems to be focusing on externalities.  Paul describes Christ’ physical appearance in Philipians 2:8 as “And being found in human form(συσχηματίζω)”.  Peter tells the dispersed believers to “not fashion(συσχηματίζω) yourselves according to the former lusts”.

So I’m going to make some conclusions based upon some very elementary exegesis.  Paul is not interested in believers assuming an external form of religiosity.  His listeners were no doubt acquainted with the various practices of the religious zealots of their day, and Paul wanted them to understand that external conformity alone was abominable  to God.  God requires and, as we will see in a later post, actually does the transforming work in the believer’s life.

How does this marvelous metamorphosis happen?  Quite simply, it’s a brain transplant.  But that’s for another day.

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