A Right View Of God

David in Psalms 51 gives us an understanding of four essential truths about God. Our Church mission statement,

We desire to give every individual in our community an accurate picture of God. We also want to help those who believe to become fully committed followers of Jesus Christ

1. God Is Holy

First, God is holy.David declared, “Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom” (v. 6). David knew that because God is holy, He is never satisfied with mere external behavior. He is entirely separated from moral evil and sin. God is pure; He has no relationship with sin. Remember how he despised the Pharisees with their external righteousness.

Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

The word “holy” simply means “set apart” from His creatures and exalted above them and is without a peer. He is cut above us, infinitely transcendent (magnificent), above and beyond His creation. The prophet Isaiah

Isaiah 40:18 To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to? Isaiah 57:15 For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Moses giving a testimony of God’s uniqueness:

Exodus 15:11 "Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you-- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? 1 Sam 5:1-4 After the

Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. [2] Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. [3] When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. [4] But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.

God’s holiness is the greatest and most basic attribute of God and because God is holy He called Christians to be a holy people (set apart for God). God has called us to be hatred of sin.

1 Peter 1:15-16 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

2. God Is Powerful

Second, God is powerful. David prayed, “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness” (vv. 7–8). David believed God had the power to change him from the inside out—unlike some who think their sinful habits are too strong for Him to overcome. In Acts 8 we see God changed a Christian-killer to the greatest Christian, evangelist, pastor, church planter who ever lived after Jesus Christ.

Many skeptics challenge Christians with question: Is there anything God can’t do? No He can do everything. Can God create a rock so big that He can’t move it? Scripture tells us that there are things that God cannot do. He cannot act against his own nature:

=He cannot lie Hebrews 6:18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

=He cannot associate with sin Habakkuk 1:13 (see above)

=He can’t go back on His word 2 Tim. 2:13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful,for he cannot disown himself.

J.B. Phillips wrote a book titled “Your God is too Small,” in which he exposed people’s picture of God. Many people have a God of their own making, but it is not the Biblical God. God can do anything He pleases that is harmony with his nature. In short nothing can hinder God’s plan and purpose. Whatever He decides to do will come to pass. Nothing is too difficult for God. He can anything effortlessly

Psalm 115:3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

The word “Almighty” is a word that describes God’s power. The Hebrew word “El Shaddai” describes that God is all powerful. If He could make a 99 year old Abram to be a father, and one day those who refuses to come to him for their salvation will experience His power in the great tribulation. Read: Isaiah 40:21-31