Bible Studies

---

Examining God’s Characteristics:
Is There a Missing Link? Pt. 1
By: Mark A. Becker

A brief examination of what the Scriptures have to say about
God’s own ‘emotional characteristics’ and how they relate to us.

[This essay is intended for the unsaved and the newly reborn in Christ.]

"Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…" -
Genesis 1:26a (NIV)

Love

Definition: In the Greek we find four different names and definitions for our word ‘love.’ 1. Phileo - A friendship love. 2. Eros - An erotic/romantic form of love. 3. Agape - An unconditional love. 4. Storge - The natural affection parents have for their children type of love.

Examples of God’s Love in Scripture: When it comes to pure, unadulterated love, God has the market cornered.

God is love. - 1 John 4:16 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NIV)

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13 (NIV)

Examples of Man’s Love in Scripture: With man, true, spiritual love, is as fleeting as the wind without his foundations being firmly cemented in Christ.

"Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He spring up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. - Job 14:1-2 (NIV)

And with God:

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." - Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. - Jude 21 (NIV)

We are told that in the last days men’s propensity for love will fade:

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…" - Matthew 24:12a (NIV)

Life Example #1: Agape & Storge Love - I have three daughters and two granddaughters; all beautiful and, other than Jesus, the pride of my life. There is not one thing any of them could do to me, to God or to somebody else that would draw my unconditional love away from them. I am bound to them by their very existence - I think God looks at us the same way.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. - I Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

{Note: I would love to include my wife in this Life Example; but honestly, our love is conditional, when considered in the context and ramifications of adultery.}

Life Example #2: Eros Love - Sometimes you can ‘love’ somebody (or something) too much and for all the wrong reasons. We know this condition to be idolatry, peppered with lust and selfishness.

I, like most of you have found myself in relationships that quite frankly, I should not have been in.

When it comes to relationships …

Þ Do we do it for love - or a ‘quick fix?’
Þ Do we do it for companionship - or for social and/or economic justifications?
Þ Do we do it for commitment - or for personal gratification?

You get the point. The fact is - whatever the reasons we rationalize - the truth is - we do it for ourselves. And that is not love, by God’s definition.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. - 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

Life Example #3: Agape & Phileo Love - The love I feel for my brother’s and sister’s in Christ is one that is conditioned only by our personal relationships to Jesus. When following Jesus’ instructions regarding these special relationships, nothing, or no one, can pry our Spiritual affections away from each other.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. - 1 Peter 1:22 (NIV)

Happiness & Joy

Definition: Happiness - 1 feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. 2 willing to do something. Joy - 1 a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. 2 a cause of joy.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the LORD, the King. - Psalm 98:4-6 (NIV)

God’s Happiness & Joy in Scripture: God’s joy and happiness is not dependent on man. It is interesting to note however that when a man or woman follows the commandments and will of God - guided by the Holy Spirit - his or hers contentment is profound.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)

Man’s Happiness & Joy in Scripture: To reiterate, man’s joy and happiness are totally dependent of God Himself. When man strives for physical, mental and/or spiritual contentment by his own means; he always falls short.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. - James 4:7-10 (NIV)

Life Example #1: Anytime I am in the company of my family and/or friends, I have found my ‘comfort zone.’ But this happiness and joy can be smothered by the everyday happenings of life; and therefore this joy, oftentimes, is temporary. On reflection, the only time I have truly found contentment are the seasons I have emptied myself sharing Jesus, brought to fruition by the acts of worshipping, praising and praying with like minded believers.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. - Philippians 1:1-2 (NIV)

Life Example #2: When I was younger I bought into the lie that physical pleasure equated to happiness and joy. As I have grown in the Lord, it is glaringly apparent that physical pleasure (in all of its forms) is short-lived and a sure path to death.

In an odd sort of way, the trials of life and physical infirmities we all eventually experience, help lead the Believer closer to the heart of God. Our dependence on Him is what our decaying, aging bodies desire. As our spiritual focus is on Him, our ‘aches and pains’ (whether in everyday trials or in the body) are not as perceivable.

I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. - 2 Corinthians 7:4b (NIV)

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10 (NIV)

Pride

Definition: Pride - 1 a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from achievements, qualities, or possessions. 2 a cause or source of such a feeling. 3 consciousness of one’s own dignity. 4 the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself.

God’s Pride in Scripture: God has every reason to be prideful; yet His Word seems to be void of any capability or propensity for this characteristic. Scripture does indicate, albeit scarcely, that God does have pride for His people Israel and His bride, the Church.

He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. - Psalm 47:4 (NIV)

I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. - 2 Corinthians 7:4a (NIV)

Man’s Pride in Scripture: From Genesis to Revelation we learn that man’s pride is the root of his and the Angelic rebellions against God.

"All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God’ I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’" - Isaiah 14:11-14 (NIV)

For by grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. - Romans 12:3 (NIV)

Life Example #1: Seeing my children excel at athletics was a real ‘ego boost’ for dad. But the days I am most proud is when my children are eagerly searching for the Wisdom of God.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. - Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Life Example #2: The first 30 years of my life I made ‘pride my drive.’ Even now I struggle with a ‘me first’ mentality. I guess if we were all honest we would admit the same.

The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. - Proverbs 16:5 (NIV)

Disappointment, Sorrow & Grief

Definition: Disappointment - 1 fail to fulfil the hopes or expectations of. 2 prevent (hopes or expectations) from being realized. Sorrow - 1 deep distress caused by loss or disappointment. 2 a cause of sorrow. Grief - 1 intense sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death. 2 informal trouble or annoyance.

God’s Disappointment, Sorrow & Grief in Scripture: Unfortunately in regard to Israel and the Church, there is plenty of disappointment, sorrow and grief to go around. Time and time again man has disappointed God.

The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. - Genesis 6:6 (NIV)

Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me – how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices. - Ezekiel 6:9 (NIV)

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. The he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." - Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. - Matthew 26:37-38, 40a (NIV)

But God has never, and will never, disappoint man.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - Romans 5:5 (NIV)

The only sure fire way of not disappointing God is when one accepts His Son’s free gift of Salvation: and he or she lives a life that honors Him.

"This is my son, whom I love. Listen to him!" - Mark 9:7b (NIV)

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. - Psalm 22:5 (NIV)

And he or she lives a life that honors Him in growth:

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. - 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. - 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV)

Man’s Disappointment, Sorrow & Grief in Scripture: Man’s disappointment, sorrow and grief is always a direct result of ignoring, disobeying or rebelling against God, His Son, His Spirit and His Word. All other perceived disappointments, sorrows and grief in man’s life are demonically or personally inspired and instigated.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. - Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

Life Example: Growing up in the Lord is hard work that takes time, effort and commitment. As a believer learns the ways of the Lord and implements them in his or her life; an amazing thing happens: Disappointment vanishes (sorrow and grief are a mainstay in the Christian walk). But when one puts his full trust in Jesus, he finds out God never disappoints and one day, sorrow and grief will be after thoughts.

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surround his people both now and forevermore. - Psalm 125:1-2 (NIV)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. - Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV)


JJB

Definitions provided by: http://www.askoxford.com/dictionaries/

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE