Moral Implications of God's Character in Scripture
The Moral Implications of God's Character in Scripture
The character of God is a foundational concept in understanding the moral implications of Scripture. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's character is described as holy, righteous, faithful, true, just, guileless, sinless, and spotless [2]. These attributes serve as the standard for human behavior, as seen in Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15-16, where God's holiness is commanded to be emulated by his people [1].
The biblical account presents God's character as the motive for righteous behavior. For instance, Exodus 23:7 highlights God's character as the reason for avoiding unjust practices [6]. The goodness of God is also emphasized, with Psalm 25:8 and Nahum 1:7 describing it as a fundamental aspect of his nature. This goodness is not limited to his people but is universal, as seen in Psalm 145:9 and Matthew 5:45 [4].
The moral implications of God's character are far-reaching. According to John Gill's commentary on Romans 11:22, the consideration of God's goodness and severity is recommended to abate pride and promote humility, fear, and caution. This balance between God's goodness and severity is crucial in understanding his character and its moral implications [7].
The character of God also serves as a model for human behavior. In Ephesians 5:1, believers are exhorted to be imitators of God, demonstrating love and kindness towards others. The Psalmist in Psalm 119:129 expresses admiration for God's testimonies, highlighting their wonderful nature and the importance of understanding them [9].
The moral implications of God's character are not limited to individual behavior but also extend to communal and societal aspects. In Psalm 68:10, God's provision for the poor is highlighted, demonstrating his care for the vulnerable. This care is a reflection of his character, which is characterized by goodness, mercy, and justice [4].
In the New Testament, the character of Christ is seen as the ultimate example for believers. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, Christ's character is described as holy, righteous, faithful, and true [2]. His life and teachings serve as a model for Christian behavior, with his humility and obedience to the Father being particularly noteworthy [3].
The moral implications of God's character in Scripture are multifaceted. They emphasize the importance of holiness, righteousness, and justice, while also highlighting God's goodness, mercy, and care for the vulnerable. As seen in Psalm 51:17, a broken and contrite heart is considered a sacrifice pleasing to God, underscoring the importance of humility and contrition in the Christian life [5].
The biblical account presents a nuanced view of God's character, balancing his goodness with his severity. This balance is reflected in the lives of believers, who are called to emulate God's character in their own lives. As John Gill notes in his commentary on Ephesians 5:9, believers are to prove what is acceptable to the Lord, demonstrating their understanding of God's character and its moral implications [8].
Sources
- 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. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, Character Of — Altogether lovely -- Song 5:16. Holy -- Lu 1:35; Ac 4:27; Re 3:7. Righteous -- Isa 53:11; Heb 1:9. Good -- Mt 19:16. Faithful -- Isa 11:5; 1Th 5:24. True -- Joh 1:14; 7:18; 1Jo 5:20. Just -- Zec 9:9; Joh 5:30; Ac 22:14. Guileless -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Sinless -- Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21. Spotless -- 1Pe 1:19. Innocent -- Mt 27:4. Harmless -- Heb 7:26. Resisting temptation -- Mt 4:1-10. Obedient to God the Father -- Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 15:10. Zealous -- Lu 2:49; Joh 2:17; 8:29. Meek -- Isa 53:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29. Lowly in heart -- Mt 11:29. Merciful ”
- 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, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Goodness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 25:8; Na 1:7; Mt 19:17. Declared to be Great. -- Ne 9:35; Zec 9:17. Rich. -- Ps 104:24; Ro 2:4. Abundant. -- Ex 34:6; Ps 33:5. Satisfying. -- Ps 65:4; Jer 31:12,14. Enduring. -- Ps 23:6; 52:1. Universal. -- Ps 145:9; Mt 5:45. Manifested To his Church. -- Ps 31:19; La 3:25. In doing good. -- Ps 119:68; 145:9. In supplying temporal wants. -- Ac 14:17. In providing for the poor. -- Ps 68:10. In forgiving sins. -- 2Ch 30:18; Ps 86:5. Leads to repentance. -- Ro 2:4. Recognise, in his dealings. -- Ezr 8:18; Ne 2:18. Pra”
- Psalms “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. -- Psalms 51:17”
- 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).”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 11:22: Behold therefore the goodness, and severity of God,.... The consideration of both the grace and kindness of God to some, and his severity or strict justice towards others, is recommended by the apostle as very proper to abate pride, vain glory, and haughtiness of spirit; and to engage to humility, fear, care, and caution; on them which fell, severity: the Jews who stumbled at Christ and his Gospel, and fell by unbelief, God in strict justice and righteous judgment not only destroyed, as afterwards their nation, city, and temple, and scattered them abroad in the wor”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:9: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. There are many things that are acceptable to God, as the person of Christ, his righteousness, sacrifice, sufferings, death, and mediation; the persons of his people, their services, sufferings, sacrifices of prayer, and praise to him, and of bounty and liberality to the poor; their graces, and the exercise of them; and the actions of their lives and conversations, when they are becoming the Gospel, are according to the will of God, and are done in faith, and are directed to his glory: and these things which are acceptable to”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:129: See here how David was affected towards the word of God. 1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: Thy testimonies are wonderful. The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign that we are not acquainted with God's testimonies, or do not understand them, if we do not admire th”