Revealing God’s True Nature: Love, Righteousness, and Justice
As a believer in Christ, it’s essential to understand and communicate the profound revelation that Jesus brought to humanity about the character of God. In the Bible, we find clear evidence of God’s nature as a loving, righteous, and just Creator. Let’s explore this transformative perspective.
**Jesus, the Revelation of God’s Character**
In the New Testament, the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, verse 9, Jesus makes a remarkable statement: “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” This verse encapsulates a profound truth: in Jesus, we see the very nature and character of God.
**Escaping the Fearful Portrayal of God**
In many religious traditions, God has been portrayed as a wrathful, vengeful deity to be feared. However, this portrayal is not in line with the revelation Jesus brought. The Jews of old perceived God through the lens of fear and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They sought a mediator in Moses, and God provided them with commandments and rules because that’s what they desired.
**The Desire for Works and Rules**
The preference for works and rules over faith, spirit, and truth was a choice made by the people of that time. They wanted a tangible, visible set of guidelines. However, it’s important to note that God is a loving and just God, and He allowed them to have it their way. He permitted this to demonstrate to the world that His way, rooted in love and righteousness, is superior to man-made systems.
**The True Nature of God**
In the Bible, we find numerous verses that emphasize the true nature of God:
– **1 John 4:8**: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
– **Psalm 145:17**: “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”
– **Psalm 89:14**: “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.”
These verses highlight the core attributes of God: love, righteousness, holiness, justice, mercy, and truth. These qualities are the essence of who we worship as believers in Christ.
In the light of Jesus’ revelation, we understand that God is not a murderous or violent deity. Religion, often based on fear and rules, may have portrayed God in a negative light. However, through Jesus, we see God’s true character: love, righteousness, and justice. As believers, we are called to share this transformative message with clarity, simplicity, and the burstiness of enthusiasm, so that others may also come to know the God of love, grace, and righteousness.
Now let’s delve further into the character of Jesus and God as revealed in the scriptures, highlighting that pride, jealousy, envy, murder, and vengeance are not traits found in Him.
**Humility and Lack of Pride in Jesus**
In Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV), we see the remarkable humility of Jesus: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus, the Son of God, displayed profound humility, the antithesis of pride.
**Jealousy and Envy Are Absent**
In James 3:14-16 (KJV), we are cautioned against jealousy and envy: “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” Jesus, being divine, did not harbor jealousy or envy. His ministry was marked by love, compassion, and selflessness.
**Murder and Vengeance**
The commandments of God explicitly forbid murder and emphasize justice. In Exodus 20:13 (KJV), we read, “Thou shalt not kill.” This divine command reflects God’s reverence for life and His rejection of murder.
Furthermore, Jesus taught a radical message of forgiveness and non-vengeance. In Matthew 5:38-39 (KJV), He says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” This teaching exemplifies the absence of vengeance in Jesus’ character.
In both the life and teachings of Jesus, we find a stark contrast to pride, jealousy, envy, murder, and vengeance. His humility, love, and commitment to forgiveness serve as powerful examples of the divine nature. As believers in Christ, we are called to emulate these qualities and share the message of a God who embodies love, grace, and righteousness, free from the ungodly traits that often plague humanity.
**Jesus’ Confrontation of the Pharisees**
In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 33-34 (KJV), Jesus delivers a pointed message to the Pharisees: “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Here, Jesus uses strong language to emphasize that it’s not enough for the Pharisees to have outward appearances of righteousness while harboring corrupt intentions. He calls them a “generation of vipers” (the snake in the garden) to highlight the need for genuine internal transformation.
**Challenging the Religious System**
Jesus’ interactions with the religious leaders of his time often aimed to challenge the legalistic and hypocritical aspects of the religious system rather than condemning individuals as inherently evil. His teachings encouraged a deeper understanding of faith, mercy, and justice.
**The Broader Message of Love and Repentance**
It’s essential to view Jesus’ confrontations with the Pharisees in the broader context of his message of love, forgiveness, and repentance. While he did use strong language to address issues within the religious system, his ultimate goal was to lead people to a more profound relationship with God based on love and righteousness.
**Conclusion**
Jesus’ strong words to the Pharisees serve as a reminder of the importance of genuine faith and sincerity in one’s relationship with God. These passages emphasize the need for inner transformation and a focus on the heart’s condition rather than outward appearances. As believers, we are called to reflect on these teachings and strive for authenticity in our faith and actions.