THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 2 Considering The Many Facets Of God
“10 This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to His eternal purpose accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. 12 In Him we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:10-12). HCSB
Loved ones, in our Spiritual Battle, Satan is the enemy, but the Lord God, our Captain (Joshua 5:14-15), is greater than Satan. The Apostle John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
The Bible uses many metaphors to help us better understand God. A metaphor is a figure of speech where one word or phrase denoting one object is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between the two.
This is a good way and the only way that we can even begin to understand God. The Spirit of God asked through Isaiah, "To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?... To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One” (Isaiah 40:18, 25). Of course, the answer is that there is nothing we can really compare to God.
Nevertheless, these figures of speech help us better understand God. The problem comes when we try to contain God in one or a few metaphors as if they fully describe God.
Many metaphors are used in the Old Testament to describe God, and sometimes they almost seem to contradict one another.
Consider for example, Isaiah 40:10, “Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:10-11).
In verse 10, God is pictured as a mighty warrior, who will conquer, rule, and take the spoils of war. However, in the next verse God is portrayed as a tender shepherd to His flock, Israel. He is not pictured as merely one who protects the sheep, but one who gathers the lambs and carries the weak in His arms.
God is thus an agent of violent power, yet also very gentle and kind. It is hard for us to picture a powerful warrior being so tender; nevertheless, that representation describes God. It is not that "shepherd" or "warrior" are poor metaphors, but simply that speech in its very character cannot fully describe God.
How often do we look at only one side of God? Most of us think of God as a God of love, and so He is (1 John 4:8), but He is also a powerful Judge who will condemn the evil. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31).
How often have you heard someone say that God loves us so much that He will not send anyone to hell? To think that is to only consider one aspect of God. Yes, God loves us with a love that we cannot really comprehend. Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:19 that God's love is beyond our understanding.
However, Jesus warns us that we should also fear God much more than any man. "But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:5).
God wants to save all men; nevertheless, He is also a God of justice that requires Him to punish those who refuse to submit to His authority. These images are not contradictory, just two sides of a God that we cannot fully comprehend.
This also highlights the great gift of salvation. Indeed, God does love us and wants to save us (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). How could He save us and at the same time maintain His justice and punish sin? The answer is Jesus, His only begotten Son (John 3:16; Acts 4:10-12).
Jesus came on earth and lived a sinless life as a man. The Bible says, “21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:21-22).
By His unmatched love, He chose to die on the cross in our place, paying the price for our sin (Romans 5:8; 6:23). Thus, through that sacrifice, God can save sinful man, satisfying both His love and justice.
The New Testament also recognizes that God has seemingly opposite sides. Remember the familiar verse, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off" (Romans 11:22).
How God acts towards us is dependent upon us. If we reject Christ, we can be assured that God will respond with severity on the Judgment Day (John 12:48). On the other hand, if we respond in faith, we can be assured that God will react with even more goodness towards us. John wrote, “Blessed are they that do his commandments…” (Revelation 22:14).
God's nature has many facets, all of which should be considered, and yes, marveled at, since we cannot fully understand God. May we never put God into a box of our own making. God is in control… Trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-8).
Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).