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Biblical Examples of God's Character and Principles

God's character and principles are foundational to biblical understanding, revealing attributes such as holiness, righteousness, mercy, and truth, which serve as standards for human conduct and worship [1, 13, 14]. The Bible presents God's character not only through direct declarations but also through His actions, His law, and the example of Christ [1, 10, 16].

Holiness is a core attribute of God, who is described as infinitely perfect and righteous [13]. Believers are commanded to be holy, reflecting God's character in their lives (Leviticus 11:45; 1 Peter 1:15-16) [1]. This holiness is necessary for worship and for seeing God (Psalm 24:3-4; Hebrews 12:14) [1]. Christ Himself is the ultimate example of holiness (Hebrews 7:26), and believers are called and elected to holiness, being made new in it (Ephesians 1:4, 4:24) [1].

God's righteousness and justice are also prominent themes. His judgments are described as upright, and He rules the world according to principles of justice, never doing wrong to His creatures (Psalm 36:6; Psalm 99:4) [7, 9, 13]. God's character provides the motivation for righteous behavior among His people (Exodus 23:7) [10]. His word, as revealed in Scripture, displays both His character and His power (Psalm 33:4-7) [11].

Mercy and truth are frequently associated with God's faithfulness to His promises (Psalm 25:10; Psalm 57:3) [14]. These attributes are manifested in His willingness to pardon sin, especially when the greatness of sin highlights the need for such pardon (Psalm 25:11) [15]. As human attributes, mercy and truth signify integrity in a broad sense (Proverbs 3:3) [14].

Other principles exemplified by God and expected of believers include humility, boldness, devotedness, resignation, and sincerity. Humility is necessary for serving God (Micah 6:8) and is a characteristic of saints, who are regarded, heard, and delivered by God (Psalm 34:2; Psalm 138:6) [3]. Christ is the supreme example of humility (Matthew 11:29; Philippians 2:5-8) [3]. Boldness, particularly holy boldness, is a characteristic of saints (Proverbs 28:1) and is produced by trust in God and the fear of God (Isaiah 50:7; Acts 4:19) [2]. Christ also set an example of holy boldness (John 7:26) [2].

Devotedness to God is a characteristic of saints (Job 23:12) and is grounded in God's mercies, goodness, call, and the death of Christ (Romans 12:1; 1 Samuel 12:24; 2 Corinthians 5:15) [4]. This devotion should be unreserved and encompass one's spirit, body, members, and substance (1 Corinthians 6:20; Romans 12:1; Proverbs 3:9) [4]. Resignation involves submission to God's will and sovereignty, even in the face of death, loss, or suffering (2 Samuel 15:26; Job 1:21) [5]. Christ exemplified this resignation in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44) [5]. Sincerity, exemplified by Christ (1 Peter 2:22), should characterize believers' love for God and one another, their service, faith, and overall conduct (2 Corinthians 8:8; Romans 12:9) [6].

God created humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:27), implying that these divine characteristics are, to some extent, reflected in human nature and are meant to be cultivated by believers [8]. The conduct of good individuals, guided by God's principles, serves as an example and secures blessings for their descendants (Proverbs 20:7) [12].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  7. Psalms “Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal. -- Psalms 36:6”
  8. Genesis “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. -- Genesis 1:27”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 99:4: 99:4 The qualities of the Lord’s rule include strength, justice, love, fairness, and righteousness (see 93:4; 97:2, 6-7, 12; 98:2-3, 9; 138:6).”
  10. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 23:7: 23:7 God’s character is the motive for righteous behavior (see 22:22-24, 27).”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 33:4: 33:4-7 God’s word displays his character and his power.”
  12. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 20:7: The conduct of good men proclaims their sound principles. God's covenant and their good example secure blessing to their children (Pro 4:26; Psa 112:1-2).”
  13. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:137: Here is, 1. The righteousness of God, the infinite rectitude and perfection of his nature. As he is what he is, so he is what he should be, and in every thing acts as becomes him; there is nothing wanting, nothing amiss, in God; his will is the eternal rule of equity, and he is righteous, for he does all according to it. 2. The righteousness of his government. He rules the world by his providence, according to the principles of justice, and never did, nor ever can do, any wrong to any of his creatures: Upright are thy judgments, the promises and threatenings an”
  14. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 3:3: mercy and truth--God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Psa 25:10; Psa 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Pro 16:6; Pro 20:28). bind . . . write . . . heart--outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.”
  15. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 25:11: God's perfections of love, mercy, goodness, and truth are manifested (his name, compare Psa 9:10) in pardoning sin, and the greatness of sin renders pardon more needed.”
  16. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 19:7: God's glory, (that is, his goodness to man) appears much in the works of creation, but much more in and by divine revelation. The holy scripture, as it is a rule both of our duty to God and of our expectation from him, is of much greater use and benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe in, or the light of the sun. The discoveries made of God by his works might have served if man had retained his integrity; but, to recover him out of his fallen state, another course must be taken; that must be done by the word of God. And here, 1. The psalmist gives”
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