Page 70 - Bible Writers Theology Original

54 ♦ Bible VMters' Theology Chapter Four
and grace. God delights in doing good (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 31:19; Psalm
33:5). No one is good enough like God (Mark 10:18).
D Love
TheBiblesaysthat"...Godislove"(IJohn4:8,18). Christianityistheonly religion to identify God so totally with love. Love is the perfection of His divine nature, by which God is eternally moved to communicate Himself to man. It is not mere emotional impulse, but rational and voluntary affection rooted in truth and holiness. The fact that God grieves over the sins of His people affirms His love (Isaiah 63:9-19). The scriptures speak of the love of God in many ways:
• The love of God (II Corinthians 13:11)
• He initiates love (I John 4:10; Romans 5:6-8)
• He loves the world Qohn 3:16), His people Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-
8,13; Jeremiah 31:3), and His true children (John 14:23; John 15:13; John 13:1).
• He loves righteousness, justice and mercy (Psalm 11:7; Isaiah 61:8; Psalm 84:11).
• He rebukes and chastens those He loves (Revelation 3:19-20).
The assurance of God's love is a source of comfort to the believer (Romans 8:35-39).
E Benevolence
God is good and deals bountifully with all his creatures. He cannot hate HiscreationwhichHedeclaredtobeverygood(Genesis1). "Thouopen- est thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing" (Psalm
145:16). (See also Psalm 145:9-20; Job 10:3; Job 14:15.)
The benevolence of God is manifested in his concern for the welfare of His creature. The psalmist said, "These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat indueseason. That thou givest them they gather: thou
openest thine hand, they are filled with good" (Psalm 104:27,28). (See also Matthew 6:26.) "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendethrainonthejustandontheunjust"(Matthew 5:45). His benevolence is not restricted to believers. Surely, "The earth is full of the goodness of the
LORD" (Psalm 33:5).
F Mercy
God's mercy is His goodness manifested towards those who are in mis ery or distress. Our God is compassionate, pitiful, and loving by nature.