Rushwavefrom The Nature and Character of God
© 2020 Bert Davidson
Chapter 19: “God” as used in John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
We are now in a position to expand on the word “God” as used in the powerful message of John 3:16. At the outset of this book we noted every word in this verse has a deep, clear meaning, and there is a specific way Jesus would have us understand “God,” “gave,” “Son,” “believes,” “perish,” and “eternal life.” These words reflect six core teachings of Jesus’ worldview, and provide insight into understanding God, life and the hereafter. We can now consider just one of those six core teachings: the nature and character of “God.”
We have used the Bible as the basis of our understanding who God is. The Old Testament contains the same scriptures Jesus Himself deemed authoritative. There are without question countless conceptions of God throughout history and even today. But to project onto the word “God” in John 3:16 any of those false conceptions is to distort the entire message. Our understanding of “God” must conform to the revelation God provided through His prophets, Christ Himself and His apostles. If we take into account the many scriptures that have been cited throughout this book, John 3:16 would read as follows.
- There is only one God, and it is He who created all things. He is incorporeal, has no form and is always there. He is eternal, having no beginning and no end. He is all-knowing, all-wise and all-powerful. He is just, righteous and abounds in truth. He can be pleased, grieved and provoked. He is love; He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness. This God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
May God grant that we begin to understand all the glorious, awe-inspiring truths encompassed in the word “God.” For if we even had a faint understanding, we would fall on our face in worship to Him who has no beginning and no end.
from The Nature and Character of God
© 2020 Bert Davidson
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