GOD IS LOVE

Yesterday, I presented a simplified version of Dispensationalism, an approach to Bible study that clearly demonstrates the continuity of the seven divisions of God's Word. When defending the authenticity of the Bible as the Word of God, it is important to show that its sixty-six books are not simply a collection of some old writings, but that there is theme that runs "from cover to cover." As I mentioned on the fourth of January, the books (66), chapters (1,189), verses (31,101), and the words (783,137) fit together "like a glove." They present a loving God/Creator Who, knowing before His act of creation that it would cost the death of His Son, created us anyway (Jn. 17:24; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8).

I honestly believe that His plan was the only way He could fully share Himself with us. In order for man to know God as He is, we have to "see Him in action." It is my understanding that man is not the only beneficiary of the demonstration of God's character; His angels in heaven, though they are constantly in His presence, do not understand the greatness of Almighty God. They are watching His interaction with man and discovering just how wonderful He is (1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:12).

Because God wants His creation to know Him in His fullness, He has inspired men to record His words and the history of His interaction with creation. It is the Holy Scriptures that present the Gospel, the record of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:3-4). It is the Scriptures which present the need for salvation, and God's method of achieving it (Rom. 10:8-17). It is the Scriptures which teach man that salvation is a gift from God, and not something that he can achieve by the works of a religion (Eph. 2:8-9).

The Word of God, like that of a man, demonstrates who He is. We have all heard the saying, "A man is only as good as his word." In other words, if you cannot trust a man's word on something, then you can not trust him, and will have no respect for him. The same is true of God. That is why in Psalm 138:2, it says: "I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy loving kindness and for Thy truth; for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name." Salvation comes from being exposed to God's Word, and believing it (Rom. 10:8-17).

How could a loving God create mankind, and then have nothing to do with him? How could a loving God see man's need of a Savior and fail to provide him with One? How could a loving God fail to inform man that he is loved and that He wants to have fellowship with him? The answer to these questions is, He couldn't. And the good news is, He didn't! Our God, Who is love, has done all that is necessary for us to be saved; our only part in it is to believe what He has revealed to us. We are loved!