THEOLOGICAL DEFINITIONS OF GOD

.....without pictures!

Intenet connection should be resolved by next week.

David

I cannot pretend to have the knowledge and understanding of a theologian, for I am not one! Nor is this a full and complete explanation of God's character, for we won't obtain that until we join Him in eternity. Even then, I suspect He might surprise us occasionally!

However this simple, but for me, hugely deep and meaningful explanation, has increased my understanding of Him so much. It has shown that the character God desires in us, is simply a replication of His own.

Indeed, a key to understanding for me.

If only it were so easy to live!

1 CORINTHIANS 13

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 
(1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

As I prayed for help in what to share about the Love Chapter with the Indian Women's Group, the Lord said, "To understand my character, substitute the word 'love' with my name."

"But God, surely this is altering scripture?"

"Just do it!"

And I did.

The result was, and is, hugely powerful! 

Later, when looking more deeply into the definitions of the word 'love' used in this chapter, I realized that this substitution provides a beautiful picture of God placing His character in us.

Let's look at verse 1 in the Amplified Bible.

If I (can) speak in the tongues of men and (even) of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong, or a clanging cymbal. 
(I Corinthians 13:1)

In following verses, an abbreviated version restates this so succinctly….

And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have (sufficient) faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). (1 Corinthians 13:2)

Yes, it is God's love we are to have in us. So the aspects of God's love, His character, are detailed here when 'God' is substituted for 'love.'

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not God, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not God, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not God, I gain nothing. 4 God is patient, God is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. 5 He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. 6 God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 God never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8a)

What a beautiful picture of God! How he so desires us to become like him.

This is confirmed through the apostle, John, the one whom Jesus loved.

Early on in our ministry, prior to this revelation being received, my wife Kathy and I visited Uganda. It was in a village there, that I first preached a Sunday sermon on these aspects of love. Thought I had done quite well and afterwards asked Kathy for her confirmation. 

"Was long and boring," she replied! I don’t ask her now! Not really. But at the time I didn't appreciate it! The price of forgiveness was seemingly too high! Now I can laugh about it though!

So I wont take the risk of boring you too, but simply ask that you take each aspect of God's character revealed here and meditate upon it further.

My earnest prayer though, is for a renewed enthusiasm and determination to apply these characteristics (The Fruit of the Spirit) to our own life, so that we might truly grow into the image of Jesus. After all, He was God dwelling amongst us!

There is much more to this miracle than meets the eye. It will increase your faith!

Joking aside, today I want to acknowledge the key role of my wife Kathy in making this ministry possible. For she works as a nurse for an Eye Surgeon, in order that we may eat and live.

Her willingness to sacrificially support the family financially has been a huge blessing to me - and I trust, through WWJ, to you too!

Thank you sweetheart. I love you. 

IMAGES AND ART: Jerusalem

Mt. Zion

Also known as Mount Sion, the Upper City, the Southwestern Hill

View from Bell Tower

This rare shot from the top of the Dormitian Abbey bell tower gives a view of Mt. Zion and the Western Hill from the south. Visible are the south wall of the Old City and the Armenian Quarter with the Mt. of Olives on the right horizon. Dormitian Abbey is home today to German Catholic monks.