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The Love Of God
The love of God is the highest, most exalted thought ever to enter the human mind. Of all the perfect attributes of the eternal, infinite Being revealed to mankind what is more wonderful than God’s love? What greater privilege than to receive it? What fuller joy than to experience it? The love of God amazed the prophets and thrilled the apostles. Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and David all speak of God’s love in glorious terms. Peter, John and Paul describe divine love in the finest language. All testify of its transcendent nature and unequalled blessedness. To know, to taste the love of God is to possess the fulness of divine grace and the promise of heavenly glory, for the love of God is the companion of…
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The Foreknowledge Of God
Critics of sovereign grace reject that salvation is God’s gift to particular people whom He has chosen. They prefer the idea that man’s will, works and efforts in some way combine to determine who goes to heaven. For them the Biblical doctrine of election is an offence and they look for any opportunity to rob it of its force and meaning. Such critics cannot deny that election and predestination are taught in the Bible, the doctrines stand out from the pages of holy scripture like two supporting poles for the banner of God’s love. They must therefore explain these two key subjects in such a way as incorporates free-will and man’s own decision to trust in Jesus Christ or not. One way they try to…
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38 Patience Of God
PATIENCE OF GOD Is his long suffering or forbearance. He is called the God of patience, not only because he is the author and object of the grace of patience, but because he is patient or long suffering in himself, and towards his creatures. It is not, indeed, to be considered as a quality, accident, passion, or affection in God as in creatures, but belongs to the very nature and essence of God, and springs from his goodness and mercy, Rom. 2:4. It is said to be exercised towards his chosen people, 2 Peter 3:9. Rom. 3:25. Isa. 30:18. 1 Tim. 1:16. and towards the ungodly, Rom. 2:4. Eccl. 8:11. The end of his forbearance to the wicked, is, that they may be without excuse;…
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37 Goodness Of God
GOODNESS OF GOD Relates to the absolute perfection of his own nature, and his kindness manifested to his creatures. Goodness, says Dr. Gill, is essential to God, without which he would not be God, Exod. 33:19. 34:6,7. Goodness belongs only to God, he is solely good, Matt. 19:17; and all the goodness found in creatures are only emanations of the divine goodness. He is the chief good; the sum and substance of all felicity, Ps. 144:12, 15. 73:25. 4:6,7. There is nothing but goodness in God, and nothing but goodness comes from him, 1 John 1:5. James 1:13,14. He is infinitely good; finite minds cannot comprehend his goodness, Rom. 11:35,36. He is immutably and unchangeably good, Zeph. 3:17. The goodness of God is communicative and…
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36 Care Of God
CARE OF GOD Is his attention to and concern for the promotion of the welfare of his creatures, 1 Pet. 5:7. 1. That God does manifest this care is evident from the blessings we enjoy, the ordinances he has instituted, the promises he has given, and the provision he has made, Ps. 84:11. Matt. 7:12.--2. This care is entirely free, and unmerited on our part. Gen. 32:10. Deut. 7:6. Rom. 3:23.--3. It is every way extensive, reaching to all his creatures and to all cases. Ps. 145.—4. It is superior to all human care and attention. He cares for us when others cannot; when others will not care for us; or when we cannot or will not care for ourselves. Ps. 143:4,5. Jer. 49:11. Ps.…
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35 Compassion Of God
COMPASSION OF GOD Is the infinite greatness of his mercy and love, whereby he relieves the miseries of his people. This perfection of Jehovah is conspicuously displayed in the gift of his Son, John 3:16. the revelation of his will, Hos. 8:12. the bounties of his providence, Ps. 114:9. the exercise of his patience, Rom. 2:4. the promise of his mercy, Ps. 78:38. the manifestation of his presence, Matt. 18:20. and the provision of eternal glory, 1 Pet. 1:4.
