1. This one confused me. God's grace has always been and will always be available to people. The difference between the OT and now is that the mystery of God's grace has been revealed to us in Christ. (Colossians 2:2, 1 Peter 1:10-12) Because of this we can partake of this grace(Philippians 1:7) and this grace can come to us in different forms, or gifts(Romans 12:6), which is why Paul talks about the grace that he received was grace of stewardship and ministry(Ephesians 3:2, 7) and he uses this grace to give advice(Romans 12:3). This grace is also able to strengthen us(Hebrews 13:9, 2 Timothy 2:1), make us sufficient in our weaknesses(2 Corinthians 12:9, make us sufficient for good works(2 Corinthians 9:8), justify us, build us up, and make us into eternal heirs with God(Titus 3:7, Acts 20:32). These are all aspects of God's grace. So instead of using the word "favor" to describe the grace of God I would describe it as the power of the life of Christ inside of us. This grace of God enables us to do all things(Matthew 17:20). Yes the grace that we receive is ultimately the favor of God but it is also the life and the power of God inside of us, giving us all that we need.
I hope that answered the question.
2. There are a few problems with claiming that love is God. The first comes with removing every other attribute of God in order to worship love. God is clearly a God who has a personality, meaning that he has many different attributes that work together perfectly, which is why he is a perfect being. If you remove all of his attributes but love you are not left with a God at all, you simply have love and you must worship that as the highest power in existence. Second, we must be even more careful not to equate something else with the love of God. For example, we must not think of the love of God as merely desire or sentimentality. If we replace love with one of these(which is done quite often in our society) we will be even more likely to end up worshiping something other than God.
3. God's holiness is portrayed as positive in Psalm 65:4 when people are blessed to enter his holiness. In Hebrews 12:10 when people are disciplined for their good to share in God's holiness. In Psalm 89:35 and 93:5, where we can be assured that God is trustworthy because of his holiness. In Ezekiel 20:41, where the Lord promises to accept people and manifest his holiness among them. In the New Testament in multiple places(2 Cor 7:1, Eph 4:24, 1Th 3:13, 1Th 4:4, Heb 12:14, 2Pe 3:11) where it talks about living in the holiness and striving towards the holiness of God, which is the best that we can do.
God's holiness is also portrayed as fearful and awesome. In Psalm 96:9 where the whole earth trembles before God's holiness. In Isaiah 35:8 where the unclean cannot enter into God's holiness. In Ezekiel 28:22, where God will judge because of his holiness. In Exodus 15:11, where God's holiness is awesome. In Ezekiel 36:23, where God will vindicate his holiness before people.
God's holiness can produce two very different reactions in people. Some view it as greatly positive while others will see it as fearful and awesome. Right now when sin still dwells in us we will see the holiness of God as fearful and awesome. When we see his perfect holiness in comparison to our sin and unholiness we will be left speechless, stunned, awestruck, dumbfounded, paralyzed, etc. The only response is to say, "Woe is me." But that fear in us will be driven out as we come to know God, as we come to love God, as he imparts his holiness to us to make us more like him(See 1 John 4:18). That is why the NT strongly emphasizes(see verses above) becoming more like God by striving towards his holiness. This is the journey that we are on. We are trying through God's grace to cast out the fear of his holiness by becoming perfect in holiness like he is(Matthew 5:48). This journey will make others hate us because they hate God because they are in fear and awe of his holiness. When God starts imparting his holiness to us it will be clear that we are different from the world(2 Corinthians 2:14-16). We are different because we are being made into people who will love to see God in all his holiness instead of the people who will cower in fear and awe and seek death because of it(Revelation 6:16).
Essentials: the attributes of God, the teaching of the Trinity, and Christology.
Corey,
ReplyDelete1. The reason translators often go for "favor" rather than grace in the OT, is their recognition of a difference between the way OT and NT writers understood it. Grace in the OT equated God's benevolent operations to help, deliverance from enemies, etc. "Grace" in the NT is the full package of Christ's work, the Holy Spirit's permananet indwelling, and associated inward salvation. There was a covenantal limitation to OT people in that they accessed Christ in shadows, types, figures, forms and ceremonies, but as a principle of life for all, did not have Him living in them in the same sense as we do today. They not only didn't see it; they didn't have it. However, "Grace" as a principle of favor has always been present.
2. Excellent point here. I like where you took this. Love can easily be another God.
3. I agree with your points here, however, you have created a little bit of a questionable dichotomy for this present time. Holiness is also desirable and beautiful, even to mortal men (as often expressed in the Psalms)in this present time. As you correctly pointed out, though, this does not take away from the fear and awe that we feel in His presence.